Francesco Zefferino Sbarro, better known as Franco Sbarro, was born on the 27th of February 1939 in Pouilles (Southern Italy). Son of a farmer he very quickly became interested in the world of mechanics. After pursuing literary studies in Lecce (Italy), his passion for automobiles pushed him to leave his native country at 17 with as baggage only one idea in mind, build an automobile with his own hands. In November 1957, Franco Sbarro, settled in Neuchatel (Switzerland) where he found a job as a mechanic. His meeting with Georges Filipinetti, owner of the famous automobile racing team, led him to the position of chief mechanic. He did development and maintenance on the group's race cars as well as overseeing the restoration of the AC Cobra, Ferrari P3 and the Ford GT40.It was at this time that he built his first car: the Filipinetti coupé. Sbarro left the Filipinetti team in 1968 in order to create the ACA: Ateliers de Construction Automobile (Automobile Construction Workshop) in Grandson, on the shores of Neuchatel lake.Franco Sbarro builds cars, most special orders, that fall into two categories: on the one hand reproductions and on the other, prototypes of his own conception, which are always surprisingly original and innovative.The replicas include a BMW 328 from the 1930's, using modern BMW mechanics, a Mercedes 540 K roadster from the same period using a modern V8 Mercedes, there's also the Lola T70, Ferrari P4, a Bugatti Royale …As for the prototypes they range from the sleek sports car to the hulking four wheel drive. Sbarro's imagination is unlimited and every year the Sbarro stand is one of the attractions at the Geneva Automobile Exposition. After having built hundreds of vehicles, Franco Sbarro decided to pass on his knowledge and in 1992 he founded the Espace Sbarro just a short distance from his workshops. Espace Sbarro is an unusual school open to young people from all countries and walks of life who have a passion for learning how to design, draw and build the car of their imagination, guided by Sbarro. A second school named Créa was opened in Casablanca (Morocco) following the demand of the king of Morocco and later became a small manufacturing unit. In 1996 ESPERA (Espace Sbarro Pédagogique d'etudes et de Réalisations Automobiles)a specialized training centre opened its doors in Pontarlier -25- France, just one year after the inauguration of the exposition hall of the same name. The centre ESPERA contains examples of Sbarro's creations as well as those of his students, open for the general public to discover all year round.