Ash Thorp is unequivocally one of the most revered automotive concept artists working today, with a lengthy, world-class portfolio that includes numerous high-profile accolades — one of the latest of which was designing the latest Batmobile. And while much of Thorp’s work is commissioned by high-profile clients, the San Diego-based artist has spent the last year or so debuting personal passion projects under the banner of Make Haste Corp. — a fictitious automotive firm headed up by Thorp and close friend and collaborator, Carlos “colorsponge” Pecino.
Known as M.H.C. 20 “THE DREAM,” this photorealistic render saw Thorp put his own unique spin on Ford’s legendary GT40 racer. While it may not be Thorp’s most transformative design, it was undoubtedly one of his most challenging — as well as one of his most impressive — managing to build on and improve what’s already a bonafide American race icon. Aiming to bestow the Ford with a myriad of both modern and retro-inspired visual elements, THE DREAM sees the car’s body lines stretched and modernized without abandoning the vehicle’s core visual DNA.
Riding on a set of MOMO Heritage 6 wheels with custom offsets fore and aft, the 20th installment in the M.H.C. series features an extended rear bonnet line that now culminates in an integrated rear wing. The front end of the car was also lightly revised, gaining more aerodynamic channeling and ductwork, a small front splitter, a NACA duct-equipped hood, and smoothed over headlight covers. The channeling on the side of the vehicle has also been modified with intake scoops set just behind the doors and NACA ducts integrated into the car’s new extended side skirts just ahead of the rear wheels. The V8 at the heart of the build has also been treated to a custom-designed set of headers and exhaust, as well as bespoke M.H.C. engine covers and a set of polished velocity stacks. In addition to a rear window that puts the modernized Ford’s powertrain on display, the aft-end of the GT40 also sports the same rear diffuser used on Ford’s current Le Mans-winning GT.
While there’s no denying that THE DREAM is easily one of Thorp’s most impressive projects to date, we’re eager to see how the concept artist one-ups himself in the M.H.C. series’ two final installments. Created in Maxon Cinema 4D and rendered using Corona Renderer, THE DREAM was also unveiled alongside colorsponge’s latest design, M.H.C.19 “THE REDRUM” — a custom-engined Chevy Nova drag racer.
