Glickenhaus' $2 Million Monstrosity is Eligible for Sale in the U.S.
There are probably more absolutely ludicrous racing spec cars on the consumer market now than ever before, but regulatory red tape frequently keeps some of the more extreme examples out of the United States. At $2 million a pop, the Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus (SCG) 003 couldn’t afford to relegate itself to Europe’s filthy rich. Otherwise, SCG might never reach its ambitious 2018 sales goal of four to six vehicles.
Fortunately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certified Glickenhaus as a “low volume manufacturer” on Tuesday. That means the SCG 003 doesn’t have to adhere to the same level of safety and emission regulations as other manufacturers, which is probably the only way to get this goblin shark onto U.S. roadways. Of course, prospective owners will still have to make room for it next to their fleet of vintage Ferraris — possibly by relocating the servant’s quarters to another part of the manor.
Safety need not be a concern, however. With the SCG003 adhering to the FIA’s crashworthiness metrics, the hypercar’s carbon-fiber chassis will probably keep you extremely safe in the event of a wreck. (Though its beak might sheer the shins off of any pedestrians you impact.)
The SCG 003 will come in three flavors, all bespoke and coming in around the $2 million mark — the plush 003S (Stradale), hardcore 003CS, and track-only 003C. While the “base” S model’s twin turbo 4.4-liter reverse-flow V8 delivers 750 horsepower and 590 foot-pounds of torque, according to a release from the manufacturer, those numbers can be tuned up to an unspecified degree for the CS and C variants.
The street legal cars posses a seven-speed electro-hydraulic dual clutch transmission, front and rear double wishbone suspension, adjustable dampers, and carbon-ceramic brakes. Glickenhaus also said there is enough aerodynamic trickery to make 1,550 pounds of downforce at 155 mph — which should be perfect for exit ramps.
Weight is a scant 2,866 lbs on the comfortably equipped and leather-trimmed 003S, whereas the other models shed a few pounds. SCG claims even the heaviest examples will be capable of 2.0 G’s of mechanical grip, 2.9-second 0-to-60 times, and a top speed of 217 mph.
The 003CS (Competizione Stradale) is scheduled to be unveiled to interested billionaires on the Monterey Peninsula this August, at which time more detailed specs should become available. Glickenhaus said that, ideally, SCG would produce a handful of cars for 2018 and ramp up annual production to 10 vehicles in 2019. However, if it manages to raise enough interest and capital, it would build a second production site in the United States.
Expect to see SCG back at the Nürburgring building hype, regardless of whether or not it’s building cars.
[Images: Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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He should release a special edition to highlight its Le Mans pedigree. Call it the SCG003 DNF.
Why pay a million for a new Ford GT (prices will have gone up since its introduction), of which there will be thousands around by the time Ford will end production, if you can have a truly rare road legal race car for twice the money? That's to say, if you don't opt for the even nicer looking Fittipaldi GT that debuted last year.