Driving the RML SWB: A Tribute to the $8M Ferrari 250 GT SWB | Henry Catchpole - The Driver's Seat
Hagerty Hagerty
3.11M subscribers
290,269 views
0

 Published On Dec 6, 2023

The initials RML may not be very familiar, although the initials SWB no doubt will be. The former stand for Ray Mallock Limited while the latter, of course, stand for Short Wheelbase and are most commonly associated with a Ferrari 250 GT, which this restomod (if it is a restomod) takes its inspiration from. However, this car actually started life as a hypercar… let us explain.
Most of RML’s work over the last 40 years has been undertaken on behalf of other people: things like Aston Martin and Bizzarini continuation cars, some championship-winning World and British Touring Cars, the McLaren Senna GTR, the Nio EP9 and the Nissan ZEOD RC which was the Garage 56 entry at Le Mans in 2014 - all have emerged from the RML workshops. But Michael Mallock (Ray’s son, who now runs the company) wanted something for RML to really call its own.

The logical thing was to design a Top Trumps car with wild numbers. A hypercar to take on a Koenigsegg Jesko, McLaren Solus or Aston Martin Valkyrie. But after a while Mallock realised that wasn’t the sort of car that he wanted to create. He wanted something that was modern but beautiful like a ‘60s GT and something that was engaging to drive at any speed. Thus the RML SWB was born from the underpinnings of a Ferrari 550 Maranello.

Just 30 will be produced, each one costing £1.35million plus taxes, and each will be a tactile delight, with an open gate six-speed manual gearbox, a naturally aspirated V12 and a cabin full of beautifully wrought metal switchgear. Ohlins dampers underneath and carbon bodywork up top complete the picture.

Of course you won’t see a Ferrari badge on the outside or inside of the car, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any heritage associated with the RML badges. You see the Mallock name has its own story and in this film we take a look at the fascinating life of Arthur Mallock, one of motor racing’s true unsung heroes. It’s a story that involves some Meccano, the official secrets act and Max Mosley.

We hope you enjoy the film. If you would like to show your support then a simple like and subscribe would obviously be hugely appreciated. However, if you are keen to go even further and earn our eternal gratitude then just click on this link for the Hagerty Drivers Club… https://bit.ly/Join-HDC-Henry

Subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications! http://bit.ly/HagertyYouTube

Visit our website for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion: https://www.hagerty.com/media

Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here: https://www.hagerty.com/media/newslet...

Follow us on social media:
Facebook |   / hagerty  
Instagram |   / hagerty  
Twitter |   / hagerty  

If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here: https://www.hagerty.com/drivers-club

Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuilds | Time-lapse engine rebuilds from start to finish http://bit.ly/RedlineRebuild
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars http://bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter
Jason Cammisa on the Icons | The definitive car review
https://bit.ly/JasonCammisaICONS
Revelations | Untold Stories About Automotive Legends with Jason Cammisa
https://bit.ly/JasonCammisaRevelations

Contact us:
Suggestions and feedback - [email protected]
Press inquiries - [email protected]
Partnership requests - [email protected]

show more

Share/Embed