From Farbio GTS to Ginetta G60: A Supercar’s Legacy

Heritage Crafted - The allure of high-performance cars has always captivated enthusiasts, with each manufacturer bringing unique innovations and stories to the automotive world. Among them is Arash Motor Company Limited, a British automaker known for its supercars and hypercars. While Arash might not be as globally renowned as some automotive giants, its journey is a fascinating tale of ambition, reinvention, and engineering excellence.

The 2003 Farboud GTS Concept, a prototype mid-engine sports car, featured a twin-turbo V6 engine delivering an impressive 620 bhp. (Picture from: CarsThatNeverMadeItEtc)

Founded in 1999 by Arash Farboud under the name Farboud Limited, the company emerged from Newmarket, Suffolk, a quaint English town. With a clear vision to craft cutting-edge vehicles, the company quickly attracted attention in the performance car market. In 2006, the company adopted its current name, reflecting its growth and ambitions. Over time, Arash Motor Company expanded its reach, establishing a manufacturing facility in Bolton, Ontario, Canada, marking its presence in North America.

Only three units of the Farboud GTS Concept were produced before the design was sold to Farbio Sports Cars, which launched production in 2007. (Picture from: CarsThatNeverMadeItEtc)

In 2010, Arash unveiled its first supercar, the AF10, an ambitious project showcasing the company’s engineering prowess. This was followed in 2014 by the AF8, which further cemented its reputation for producing sleek and powerful machines. However, the story of Arash doesn’t begin with these celebrated models; it traces back to an earlier creation that laid the foundation for what would become an extraordinary legacy.

Here’s the Farbio GTS, the production-ready model showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2005. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

Back in 2002, when the company was still known as Farboud Limited, the visionary Arash Farboud conceptualized a car that would later become iconic—the Farbio GTS. This model was initially powered by a twin-turbocharged Audi V6 engine and symbolized the company’s commitment to innovation. However, in an unexpected turn, Farboud sold the rights to this car to the newly established Farbio Sports Cars. Farbio took the design and officially launched it as the Farbio GTS in 2007, with sales starting in early 2008.

The Farbio GTS 350 was one of the key variants offered by Farbio Sports Cars, positioned between the entry-level GTS 260 and the more powerful GTS 400. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

The Farbio GTS offered a variety of configurations to suit different performance needs. Buyers could choose between three variants: the GTS 260, 350, and 400. The latter two were equipped with a supercharged 3.0-litre Ford V6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, offering an exhilarating driving experience. The car's design and engineering hinted at the ingenuity that would define Arash Motor Company in the years to come.

This is the Ginetta F400, the successor created after Ginetta acquired the design and production rights of the Farbio GTS in 2010. (Picture from: TopSpeed)

In 2010, the narrative took another twist when Ginetta Cars, a respected name in motorsport and road cars, acquired the rights to the Farbio GTS. Ginetta rebranded and refined the model, releasing it in limited numbers as the F400. While the design remained true to its roots, production ceased the same year. However, Ginetta wasn’t done yet. Recognizing the potential of the car, the company embarked on significant redevelopment to create a successor. By the end of 2011, the car was reborn as the Ginetta G60, showcasing advancements that elevated its performance and appeal.

The Ginetta G60 is a mid-engined sports car produced by British car manufacturer Ginetta Cars, based on the Ginetta F400, which itself was based on the Farbio GTS. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

The Ginetta G60 featured a tubular steel chassis paired with a carbon-fiber monocoque tub, ensuring a lightweight yet robust structure. A mid-mounted 3.7-litre Ford V6 engine producing 310 horsepower powered the car, and a six-speed manual transmission retained the driver-focused nature of its predecessors. Despite its impressive specifications, production was capped at about 50 units per year between 2012 and 2015. Ultimately, poor sales and rising costs led to the G60's discontinuation in November 2015.

The Ginetta G60 featured a tubular steel chassis combined with a carbon-fiber monocoque tub, providing a lightweight yet sturdy structure. (Picture from: Automobile-Catalog)

The journey of the Farbio GTS, F400, and G60 highlights the interconnected histories of ambitious manufacturers like Farboud, Farbio, and Ginetta. It also underscores the challenges faced by small-scale automakers in a fiercely competitive industry. For Arash Motor Company, this story is a testament to its resilience and dedication to pushing boundaries in automotive design.

As Arash continues to innovate and produce high-performance vehicles, its legacy serves as a reminder that every great company has humble beginnings filled with trials and triumphs. For enthusiasts and historians alike, the tale of Arash is not just about cars but about the relentless pursuit of dreams that drive the automotive world forward. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSIC AND RECREATION SPORTS CARS | CARMAGAZINE | PISTONHEADS | WIKIPEDIA | TOPSPEED | TESTDRIVE.FANDOM | AUTOMOBILE-CATALOG | CARSTHATNEVERMADEITETC ]

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