As an ex-pattern maker and fibreglass laminator at Sunseeker Yachts, Glan Richards was totally familiar with contemporary design, yet his passion was for those glorious, curvaceous sports cars and sports racers from the 1950s.

Cars created at a time when body panels were hand-shaped with hammers and wheels, dashboards were made of metal, seat belts were optional and impact bumpers, effective crumple zones, airbag steering wheels and pedestrian-friendly front ends were some way in the future.

Over a period of approximately ten months, Glan and colleagues shaped and created the Formosa s fibreglass bodyshell, incorporating many of the features and styling cues from those fabulous 1950s racers.

A close look will offer reminders of Jaguar s C-Type, Maserati s 300S, the Ferrari 750 Monza, Aston s DBR1 and others but, as the design didn't lean heavily or replicate any particular marque or model, it avoided all the copyright and patent issues that have recently caused replica builders leg...