This one-off Ferrari species is not a myth, but just very rarely seen

Rare GEMS - In the realm of captivating automotive concepts, Ferrari has a rich history of producing remarkable designs that often translate into popular models. However, one intriguing creation that didn't quite attain widespread fame is the Ferrari Mythos. Similar to the Testarossa from which it drew inspiration, the Mythos remains a rare breed in the prancing horse lineage, a creation brought to life by the renowned Pininfarina.

1989 Ferrari Mythos built atop a Testarossa platform and designed by Pinifarina. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

Unveiled to the public at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, the Mythos stood atop the Ferrari Testarossa platform. The interior boasted two meticulously sculpted leather seats, offering unparalleled comfort for a two-seater barchetta. Contemplating various styles, including coupe, targa, and speedster, the latter ultimately gained approval.

Left side view of 1989 Ferrari Mythos. (Picture from: A2GOOS)

Beneath its sleek exterior, the Mythos housed a formidable 390 horsepower 4.9-liter Tipo F113B flat-12 engine coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission system. Diverging from the "red-head" it shared its chassis with, the Mythos presented a more compact silhouette, sitting almost five inches wider, six inches shorter, and three inches lower in overall height—an embodiment of a truly compact supercar.

Rear right side view of 1989 Ferrari Mythos. (Picture from: ConceptCarz)

The concept embraced a fully-rounded sculptural design, skillfully balancing aesthetic allure and technical precision, in alignment with Pininfarina's philosophy of pursuing beauty, accentuated by the charismatic prancing horse emblem.

Noteworthy is the concept's connection to racing cars, evident in the absence of a hard roof for passenger protection and the omission of side windows. At the rear, the light cluster band spanned from side to side, with a wing-spoiler above, functioning as an extension of the side surfaces. The spoiler, supported by a central telescopic mechanism, could be elevated by 300 mm, adapting to speed and enhancing the downforce effect in an undisturbed airflow zone. Crafted from carbon fiber, the bonnets, doors, and all body panels exemplified lightweight construction, while the instrument panel, dashboard, door panels, and seats featured leather-covered shells.

The existence of the Ferrari Mythos Coupe is so enigmatic that many skeptics question if it was truly commissioned for the Sultan of Brunei. (Picture from: Blog.Hobbydb)

Now, you might be wondering about the current whereabouts of these extraordinary cars. According to Wikipedia, Ferrari produced a total of three Mythos units in 1989, including the prototype. Notably, the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, commissioned two Mythos—one in red and the other in turquoise. Unfortunately, the specific cars in the Sultan's collection remain unclear due to the absence of comprehensive records.

To this day, the Mythos Coupe stands as one of Ferrari's most exclusive models, contributing to its rarity on the streets of both America and Europe. Perhaps it's this exclusivity that shrouds the Mythos in a mystique, making it a seldom-seen gem in the world of high-performance automobiles.. *** [EKA [12072019] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 | WIKIPEDIA | CONCEPTCARZ | BLOG.HOBBYDB ]

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