Over the years, we have seen a number of art cars introduced, and while some were aesthetically better than others, all these artist-rendered vehicles all have one thing in common: they are always magnets for attention.
One artist that seems to be having a growing fascination with turning supercars into his own personal canvas is Laurence Gartel. As one of the pioneers of digital media, having plied his craft since the 70’s, Gartel has probably seen and did just about everything you can with digital media, including teach Andy Warhol the nuances of the art.
What he hasn’t done is take a Ferrari F430 Scuderia and turned it into a 510-horsepower psychedelic vinyl supercar. And he did all of the designing on a computer. Who said this guy can’t keep up with today’s technology.
According to the artist’s representatives, this particular F430 Scuderia’s value has jumped all the way to a cool $1 million because of Gartel’s work.
Underground Racing is no stranger to tuning up high-powered supercars and making them even more, well, powerful. Sounds a little like going a tad too overboard, doesn’t it? But when it comes to pure speed and unadulterated power, there are just people that can’t have enough of it. Granted, there’s always a cap for what is considered fast and what is considered dangerous, but these guys seem to be able to walk that very thin line carefully without compromising safety.
Having said that, the US-based tuning firm’s take on the Ferrari F430 Spider is nothing short of remarkable. They may have left the exterior and interior untouched during the process, but with engine work as intricate and amazing as what they have done, who cares that they didn’t change the look? The F430 Spider is gorgeous as it is anyway.
UPDATE 02/14/11: We’ve got a fresh batch of photos from Underground Racing and their high-powered, steel-bending Ferrari 430 Scuderia that was given their awe-inspiring Stage 3 upgrade, with over 1,000 horsepower. Granted, we’ve already drooled over this beast, but nothing gets us more nostalgic than seeing new photos of the finished product, armed and ready to pounce the streets with all those ponies under its hood. Check out the new pics in the photo gallery provided!
Hit the jump to check out the different and powerful stages of the Ferrari F430.
It is true the Ferrari F430 has already been replaced with the 458 Italia, but a good car will always get lots of attention. So, if you happen to have a F430 in your garage, and an extra $3,200 in your pocket Euro Koncepts comes with a tuning proposition for you: a Carbon Diffuser. Why? Because as the tuner says: "We know how important it is not riding stock. We’re here to offer aesthetically and performance pleasing parts for many high end rides. Carbon fiber is our thing."
You will have the possibility to choose between a plain or a twill 3k carbon weave and comes with with a UV protective coating. For the same money you will also get a black grill. Each carbon fiber diffuser is hand made and take up to 5 weeks before delivery. We know this piece of tuning adds no extra power to your car, but it is just something Ferrari was supposed to offer from factory.
Anytime you get the chance to see four exotic cars on the road together continuously trying to one-up one another, it would be a complete crime to not bring out the cameras and videotape the whole proceedings.
Fortunately, the man sitting shotgun inside a Ferrari 430 Scuderia had the wherewithal to take out his camera and videotape the entire action up close and personal. Not to be outdone by the 430 Scuderia, the other three supercars in this video include some of the finest exotic machineries on the planet like a Ferrari 458 Italia, a Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, and the only non-Prancing Horse of the group, a Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni Edition.
You normally don’t see a group of cars with this much power oozing out of them together for a joyride along the highways of Brazil, so when it happens, you can definitely expect to have someone recording the action in all its ear-piercing glory.
While most tuners are focusing on the new Ferrari 458 Italia, Premier 4509 is looking to bring inspiration towards an older model. The Japanese tuner has previously unveiled a Veilside tuning kit for the old F430 and now Wheels Boutique has upgraded that very same model with, wait for it, a new set of wheels. The full package will still be limited to just 300 units.
For the exterior, the Veilside package includes a new front bumper, side skirts, a new rear bumper, and a rear wing. Now, the car has been made even better with a new set of wheels from Wheels Boutique. They come in 20" for the front and 21" for the rear, and are painted in gloss black with a chrome lip. Finishing off the new wheels will be Pirelli PZero tires.
The only thing missing from this news is actually the piece of information we are most interested in. The tuners have stated that the F430 has received a GruppeM airbox and a new Novitec exhaust system, but the results of those additions have yet to surface.
