Skip to main content

One-off SP38 takes inspiration from Ferraris of the past

It’s hard to imagine wanting anything more than a new Ferrari, but some of the Italian automaker’s wealthiest customers simply aren’t satisfied with an off-the-rack supercar. Ferrari does take requests for customized, one-off builds, and the SP38 is the latest example of one.

Recommended Videos

Built for what the automaker describes as one of its most dedicated customers, the Ferrari SP38 is based on a 488 GTB, but features custom bodywork inspired by some of Ferrari’s classic models, as well as the automaker’s racing heritage.

The 488’s face received substantial cosmetic surgery, including new slimmer headlights and a protruding front bumper Ferrari says was inspired by the 308 GTB. The side air scoops were also covered up for a smoother look. At the back, Ferrari replaced the stock glass engine cover with a slatted carbon-fiber one reminiscent of the F40, and the design of the rear fascia is meant to reference that legendary supercar as well.

Ferrari did not discuss mechanical details, but the stock 488 GTB on which the SP38 is based uses a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 660 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. In stock form, the 488 GTB will do 0 to 62 mph in 3.0 seconds, and reach a top speed of 205 mph, according to Ferrari. The 488 GTB relies heavily on aerodynamics to achieve that performance, so it’s unclear how the bodywork changes will affect the way the SP38 drives.

Ferrari is no stranger to building one-off cars. In 2016, it unveiled the SP 275 RW Competizione as a tribute to the classic 275 GTB of the mid 1960s, and the automaker even customized a car for Eric Clapton. Going back even further, Ferrari collaborated with Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina to clothe numerous cars in unique bodywork in the 1950s and 1960s. Custom bodywork was fairly common in that simpler era of automotive engineering, and automakers are once again using it to cater to wealthy customers willing to pay for exclusivity.

The Ferrari SP38 will be displayed at the 2018 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, near Italy’s Lake Como, May 26. Ferrari does not plan to build any more copies, and won’t say exactly how much the owner paid for this one-off car. But the SP38 surely won’t be the last of Ferrari’s custom builds.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
You can now lease a Hyundai EV on Amazon—and snag that $7,500 tax credit
amazon autos hyundai evs lease ioniq 6 n line seoul mobility show 2025 mk08

Amazon has changed how we shop for just about everything—from books to furniture to groceries. Now, it’s transforming the way we lease cars. Through Amazon Autos, you can now lease a brand-new Hyundai entirely online—and even better, you’ll qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit if you choose an electric model like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, or Kona EV.
Here’s why that matters: As of January 2025, Hyundai’s EVs no longer qualify for the tax credit if you buy them outright, due to strict federal rules about battery sourcing and final assembly. But when you lease, the vehicle is technically owned by the leasing company (Hyundai Capital), which allows it to be classified as a “commercial vehicle” under U.S. tax law—making it eligible for the credit. That savings is typically passed on to you in the form of lower lease payments.
With Amazon’s new setup, you can browse Hyundai’s EV inventory, secure financing, trade in your current vehicle, and schedule a pickup—all without leaving the Amazon ecosystem.
It’s available in 68 markets across the U.S., and pricing is fully transparent—no hidden fees or haggling. While Hyundai is so far the only automaker fully participating, more are expected to join over time.
Pioneered by the likes of Tesla, purchasing or leasing vehicles online has been a growing trend since the Covid pandemic.
A 2024 study by iVendi found that 74% of car buyers expect to use some form of online process for their next purchase. In fact, 75% said online buying met or exceeded expectations, with convenience and access to information cited as top reasons. The 2024 EY Mobility Consumer Index echoed this trend, reporting that 25% of consumers now plan to buy their next vehicle online—up from 18% in 2021. Even among those who still prefer to finalize the purchase at a dealership, 87% use online tools for research beforehand.
Meanwhile, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study reveals that while 86% of U.S. consumers still want to test-drive a vehicle in person, digital tools are now a critical part of the buying journey.
Bottom line? Amazon is making it easier than ever to lease an EV and claim that tax credit—without the dealership hassle. If you're ready to plug in, it might be time to add to cart.

Read more
Gemini AI coming to cars as Android Automotive update suggests it’s due soon
The 6.8-inch Pioneer digital media receiver installed in a vehicle's dashboard.

Google appears to be getting ready to sends its Gemini AI into cars through an Android Automotive update.

This would make sense as Android Automotive already uses Google's Assistant to help with those much-needed in-car hands-free requests.

Read more
Watch from the passenger seat as the new Porsche 911 GT3 sets a record at the Nürburgring
911 GT3 with Weissach Package (Manual Transmission), Nürburgring Nordschleife 2025, Porsche AG

If you've ever wanted to race at top speeds around one of the most iconic racetracks in the world, then now is your chance. A new Porsche 911 GT3 just set a record for the fastest time around the Nürburgring in a road car with a manual transmission, knocking almost 10 seconds off the previous best time. And Porsche has released a video of the run filmed from the cockpit, so you can experience the thrills for yourself.

The record was set by legendary driver and Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel of a 911 GT3 with the Weissach package, setting a time of 6:56.294. That's 9.5 seconds ahead of the previous record set by the Dodge Viper ACR in 2017 -- though there's some math involved in these time calculations as the track was reconfigured in 2019.

Read more