Singular Elegance - Every once in a while, the automotive world delivers something that makes even the most seasoned enthusiasts pause and look twice. Cars with familiar silhouettes often spark recognition, but sometimes, that sense of déjà vu is interrupted by the realization that what’s in front of you is unlike anything else. That’s exactly the case with the RS Design Corsa Spyder, a car that at first glance recalls echoes of Maserati from the nose and the Ferrari P4 from the rear, but ultimately tells its own story in a way few machines ever could.
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| The RS Design Corsa Spyder, styled in the spirit of the Ferrari Dino 206SP, was a one-off creation handcrafted by Richard Spratling. (Picture from: MotorTrend) |
The story begins with Richard Spratling, the creative mind behind RS Design. In 2009, he unveiled the Corsa Spyder, a one-off project crafted with extraordinary attention to detail. Drawing inspiration from the flowing lines of classics like the Ferrari Dino 206SP, Spratling shaped a hand-built aluminum body that blended vintage racing curves with a modern edge. Step inside, and the craftsmanship continues—an interior wrapped in leather that feels tailored rather than manufactured, reinforcing the car’s bespoke personality.
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| The one-off RS Design Corsa Spyder showcased a curvaceous hand-crafted aluminum body atop a bespoke tubular frame with an integrated roll bar. (Picture from: KimballStock) |
Beneath its sculpted shell, the engineering is as ambitious as its looks. The foundation is a custom tubular frame paired with an aluminum tub, integrating a roll bar into the chassis itself for both safety and rigidity. Powering the Corsa Spyder is a Ford-sourced 377 cubic inch V8 with direct-port fuel injection, an aluminum block and heads, and a dry sump oil system—technology more commonly found in race cars than one-off specials. That engine delivers its force through a ZF 5-speed manual gearbox, with ZF-supplied CV joints and a limited-slip differential ensuring that all the muscle reaches the ground effectively.
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| The RS Design Corsa Spyder continues its craftsmanship inside with a leather-wrapped interior that feels tailored, not manufactured. (Picture from: RareComponentCars) |
The car doesn’t stop impressing at its drivetrain. Spratling designed custom billet aluminum wheels exclusively for the project—10x17 inches at the front and 13x18 inches at the rear—wrapped in racing slicks that give the Spyder its aggressive stance. Together, these details make it clear that this isn’t simply a showpiece. It’s a car meant to be driven and appreciated for the raw connection it offers between design, engineering, and passion.
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| The RS Design Corsa Spyder is powered by a Ford-sourced 377 cubic inch V8 with direct-port fuel injection, aluminum block and heads, and a race-bred dry sump oil system. (Picture from: CarGuyChronicles) |
Over the years, the Corsa Spyder has appeared at celebrated gatherings such as Concorso Italiano at Pebble Beach, where its presence always sparks curiosity. At Monterey Car Week 2022, nestled among a sea of Panteras and Italian exotics, the Spyder once again drew admiration, proving that its charm has not faded with time. Despite the overwhelming interest, the car never moved beyond its prototype stage. It remained one-of-one, not because it lacked potential, but because perhaps that was always its destiny—to stand apart as a singular creation. | Sc8bdM9bPjk |
And that’s where the beauty of the RS Design Corsa Spyder lies. It isn’t a production car you can find in a showroom, nor is it a kit waiting for enthusiasts to build at home. It’s a personal statement, a snapshot of Richard Spratling’s vision, and a reminder that sometimes, the most memorable cars are not the ones mass-produced but the ones that exist only once. Even today, the Spyder remains a conversation starter, a rolling piece of art that bridges the romance of classic racing design with the excitement of modern engineering. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KIMBALLSTOCK | MOTORTREND | CARGUYCHRONICLES | RARECOMPONENTCARS | RARECOMPONENTCARS IN FACEBOOK | 7CAR.TW | PSYCHOONTYRES | SPECIALCARSTORE IN FLICKR ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
