The one-off Ferrari-based Conciso concept was developed by Bernd Michalak of Michalak Design in Mainz, Germany, as a prototype show car.

The one-off 1989 Conciso concept car based on the Ferrari 328 GTS is currently being auctioned on eBAY.

The Conciso concept was developed by Bernd Michalak of Michalak Design in Mainz, Germany, as a prototype show car. The Conciso made its international debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1991.

At a time when most cars (and particularly Ferraris) were geometric in form, the Conciso presented an advanced organic design, bearing a similar concept to the Renault Laguna Roadster of 1990. The Conciso was in fact so advanced that it was awarded second place in the Eurosign Design Award in January 1994, positioned between the Bertone Blitz and the Italdesign BMW Nazca C2 Spider. The jury for this prestigious award included Paul Frère and Graf Görtz, designer of the classic BMW 507.

Features of the striking open-top design include a low-cut windscreen and helmet holders in the cockpit. The cockpit itself is trimmed in leather and Alcantara, whereas the lightweight body has clamshell front and rear sections. The Conciso was made in the pure tradition of the 1950s Ferrari Barchetta and Lotus Seven with an ultra lightweight aluminium construction weighing just 1000 kg. This results in an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 4kg/hp.

The working concept car is fitted with the transversally mounted Ferrari 328 Quattrovalvole (four valves per cylinder) 3185 cc 90° V8 engine, producing 270 bhp at 7000 rpm and 310 Nm at 5500 rpm.

Performance for the lightweight sports car is impressive, with 0-100 km/h acceleration taking only 6 seconds. Maximum speed is 278 km/h and the standing kilometre is achieved in 25.6 seconds.

Despite being a show car, the Conciso (VIN ZFFWA20B000080962) has covered a surprising 9128 miles. The car is currently being sold by Mecanic Import in Sint-Truiden, Belgium. The asking price for this one-off is $160,000.

by James Granger