Sbarro Christelle: A Rare Convertible Born from Ferrari DNA

Bold Originality - In a world where automotive dreams often remain sketches on napkins or pixels on screens, a few visionaries dare to go further—bending metal, rewriting form, and breathing life into bold ideas. Franco Sbarro is one of those rare souls. While others built cars for the masses, he chose a different road—crafting unique, sometimes wild, always fascinating vehicles that exist far outside the mainstream. And in this spirit of fearless creativity, the Sbarro Christelle was born.

The Sbarro Christelle, unlike the track-focused GT1 and GT12 coupés, emerged as a convertible with its own distinct identity beyond just losing the roof. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Unlike his earlier masterpieces that graced Geneva’s stages with raw edges and experimental ambition, the Christelle carries a slightly more grounded story—though not without its quirks. Introduced shortly after the success of the Sbarro GT1 in 1999 and GT12 in 2000, this car took a turn both literally and figuratively. Where the GT1 and GT12 were aggressive coupés styled for the track and fantasy, the Christelle emerged as a convertible. But it wasn’t just a roofless version of what came before. It was its own machine, with its own rules, built on the bones of a legend.

The Sbarro Christelle is actually a reimagined Ferrari Mondial cabriolet, retaining its central structure—doors, windscreen, soft top—and original drivetrain beneath that unusual yet charismatic exterior. (Picture from: Sbarro.Phcalvet.fr)

Underneath that unusual yet charismatic exterior, the Christelle is actually a reimagined Ferrari Mondial cabriolet. Sbarro retained the Mondial’s entire central structure—doors, windscreen, soft top—and its original drivetrain. It wasn’t just an aesthetic or mechanical decision. It was strategic. In a country like Switzerland, where vehicle homologation can be a bureaucratic labyrinth, this move made the Christelle road-legal. And for a car as unique and rare as this, that's no small achievement.

The Sbarro Christelle, built on the Mondial's foundation, inherited its more vertical door structure and interior proportions, unlike the tight, cockpit-style layout of the GT1. (Picture from: Sbarro.Phcalvet.fr)

Of course, this foundation imposed some limits. Unlike the tight, cockpit-style interior of the GT1, the Christelle inherited the more vertical door structure and interior proportions of the Mondial. The silhouette remained inspired by its predecessors, but adjustments had to be made. Side air intakes were added just ahead of the rear wheels, the front grille featured three bold horizontal bars, and the hood saw subtle design changes. Around back, familiar Ferrari Mondial tail lights were neatly integrated, along with a low-profile spoiler molded into the body. Later on, an even larger wing was attached to the rear—an unapologetically dramatic flourish. 

The Sbarro Christelle retained a silhouette inspired by its predecessors, but featured key adjustments including side air intakes ahead of the rear wheels, a front grille with three bold horizontal bars, and subtle changes to the hood. (Picture from: Sbarro.Phcalvet.fr)

All these touches gave the Christelle a distinct personality. While it may have lacked the seamless purity of the GT1’s design, it made up for it with character and real-world functionality. The lines are less aggressive, more approachable, yet undeniably sculpted with intent. It's not trying to win beauty contests—it’s a statement piece for someone who appreciates the artistry behind niche automotive design and the thrill of owning something truly one-of-a-kind.

The Sbarro Christelle showcased neatly integrated Ferrari Mondial tail lights and a molded low-profile spoiler at the rear, later upgraded with a dramatically larger wing. (Picture from: Sbarro.Phcalvet.fr)

Over the years, the Christelle has quietly become a symbol of what Sbarro does best—blending passion with engineering, working within constraints without being consumed by them. It’s more than just a custom car. It’s a rare meeting point between Italian heritage, Swiss ingenuity, and a bit of renegade flair.

The Sbarro Christelle, shaped by the constraints of its Ferrari Mondial base, features a design that’s less pure than that of the GT1 and GT12. (Picture from: Sbarro.Phcalvet.fr)

Today, in an era where automotive design is increasingly dictated by algorithms and regulations, the Christelle stands as a charming relic of a time when wild ideas still had the freedom to hit the road. It may not be the most famous creation to wear the Sbarro badge, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most human. And perhaps that’s what makes it so special. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SBARRO.PHCALVET.FR | SUPERCARSNET |  ]

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