Heritage ESX: Sbarro Espera Students Reimagine the Shelby Daytona for Today

Styled Bravery - What if the spirit of a legendary race car could be reimagined by the fresh minds of tomorrow's engineers? That question just found its thrilling answer in the form of the Heritage ESX—an audacious, full-scale revival of the iconic Shelby Daytona Coupe. Born not from a design house or car manufacturer, but from the creative energy of students at the Espera Sbarro UTBM design school, this isn't just a tribute. It's a bold, functioning prototype that blends yesterday’s raw passion with today’s sharp-edge innovation.

The Heritage ESX is an audacious, full-scale revival of the iconic Shelby Daytona Coupe, brought to life not by a design house or automaker, but by the creative energy of Espera Sbarro UTBM students, resulting in a bold, functioning prototype that fuses vintage racing spirit with modern innovation. (Picture from: Sbarro.Phcalvet.fr)

The Heritage ESX isn’t your typical homage. It isn’t a replica trying to mimic the past, nor a restomod clinging to nostalgia. It’s something altogether different—a unique creation crafted from scratch by 25 aspiring automotive designers and engineers over just five months. While the car’s silhouette unmistakably channels the DNA of the 1965 Daytona Coupe, its execution pushes the design into the modern age. The proportions stay true to the long-hood, short-deck formula, but sharp details and smart updates bring it to life in a whole new way.

The Heritage ESX showcases its modern flair up front with Ford GT-inspired LED headlights sourced from the Ford Puma, paired with round LEDs between the intakes and a vented hood—all combining clever design and function to hint at the power within. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Right up front, LED headlights perched on the fenders inject a slice of Ford GT flair, subtly nodding to another racing great. These lights were cleverly repurposed from the Ford Puma, a compact European SUV—proof that ingenuity often lies in the unexpected. Beneath them, round LEDs tucked between the intakes keep the look clean but aggressive. The hood, meanwhile, is sculpted with functional vents that hint at the beastly heart beneath.

 

From the side, the low-slung posture and pronounced rear haunches feel instantly familiar. Side-mounted exhaust pipes and gill-style vents offer more than just retro flavor—they scream racing heritage. The ESX stands tall—figuratively—on white-finished 19-inch alloy wheels, their large tires giving the car a grounded, muscular stance that looks ready for the track.

The Heritage ESX balances retro inspiration with modern design inside the cabin, featuring a driver-focused layout enhanced by purposeful carbon fiber accents. (Picture from: Carscoops)

Around back, the reinterpretation continues. The rear design is edgier, more angular, but still respectful of the original’s flow. A large integrated ducktail spoiler adds drama and downforce, while four taillights and sculpted side vents complete the look. The paint—deep blue with bold white racing stripes and the number 60—adds that essential final touch, tying the whole aesthetic together. 

The Heritage ESX features a carefully sculpted body over a multi-tubular chassis, powered by a Ford-sourced 5.0-liter V8 engine paired with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, promising an exhilarating drive thanks to its lightweight 1,150 kg frame. (Picture from: Sbarro.Phcalvet.fr)

Inside, the car’s cabin walks a fine line between retro inspiration and forward-thinking design. It’s unmistakably driver-focused, with carbon fiber elements that lend a sense of purpose. The central digital display adds modern usability, but analog stopwatches on the passenger side bring back that motorsport romance. A classic three-spoke steering wheel and a gear knob placed high on the console serve as reminders that this car was built to be driven, not just admired.

The Heritage ESX continues its bold reinterpretation at the rear with a sharper, more angular design that honors the original’s lines, featuring an integrated ducktail spoiler for added flair and downforce, complemented by quad taillights and sculpted side vents. (Picture from: Carscoops)

And driven it will be. Under the carefully sculpted body lies a multi-tubular chassis, carrying a Ford-sourced 5.0-liter V8 engine paired to a six-speed manual gearbox. Power is sent to the rear wheels, and while performance figures haven’t been shared, the car’s relatively light 1,150 kg (2,535-pound) frame suggests a seriously fun driving experience. Every line and detail speaks to the fact that this isn’t a static sculpture—it’s a machine meant to move. As with many Sbarro creations, the Heritage ESX is expected to remain a one-off, a rolling proof of concept rather than a commercial product.  | o13dYwYwVUo |

Still, the buzz it's generated online has sparked interest in what a limited production run might look like. For now, the ESX will have its moment in the spotlight at the prestigious Le Mans Classic from July 3–6, 2025, showcasing not just a car, but the talent and vision of the next generation of automotive designers. The Heritage ESX is more than a nod to history—it’s a reminder that when passion meets skill, even legends can be reborn in the most unexpected ways. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SBARRO.PHCALVET.FR | CARSCOOPS | OBSCURESUPERCAR IN X ]

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