This Reimagined Ford Model 40 Is a Ridiculously Cool Modern Hot Rod

It has a 5.0-liter V-8, Brembo brakes, and a five-speed manual transmission.

Photo by: Iconic Auto Sports

By: Anthony Alaniz

Nov 28, 2025 at 12:00pm ET

Comment

When a car looks this good, it’s hard to ignore. It’s called the SP40 Restomod, and it takes inspiration from the 1934 Ford Model 40 Special Speedster. A low-volume car manufacturer in Argentina called Iconic Auto Sports is responsible for the beautiful build.

Under the hood is a third-generation Ford 5.0-liter Coyote engine that makes more than 460 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, and it features stainless steel long-tube headers, mufflers, and tailpipes. The engine pairs with a five-speed Tremec TKO 500/600 manual transmission, and the car has an independent front and rear suspension.

Mustang GT350R brakes provide stopping power, with six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembo calipers wrapping around 15.5- and 14.9-inch cross-drilled discs, respectively. The car has 20-inch wheels, wrapped with 235/45/R20 and 275/35/R20 tires.

The car reportedly weighs 2,623 pounds. The carbon-fiber body helps make that possible, with the exposed interior featuring a combination of aluminum, leather, and wood. There are Sparco safety belts, and the car has a few modern features, like wireless phone charging.

Photos by: Iconic Auto Sports

Company co-founder Arturo Arrebillaga told Hagerty, "Our goal with the introduction of the SP40 was not to replicate history, but to awaken it. Every line, every curve, every mechanical detail reflects our obsession with making the best car that we could to feel, to see, and to drive."

What do you think?

View

Comments

Iconic Auto Sports designed and crafted each component, making it something truly special. The SP40’s design looks straight out of the 1930s, but the wide wheels and headlights reveal the hot rod’s modernity, which the company artfully hides in the retro styling.

While Iconic Auto Sports is an Argentine company, it has an office in the United States, and you can order one there. Pricing isn’t available, but considering the car is bespoke, we doubt it’s cheap.