Man Builds Pagani Zonda from Ford Granada and eBay Parts

Most people wouldn’t expect a budget family sedan to become one of the world’s most desirable supercars—but one British car fan turned a battered 1990s Ford Granada into a jaw-dropping Pagani Zonda clone, all thanks to ingenuity, eBay, and years of dedication.

In short: Nick Truman started with a £100 Ford Granada, found parts on eBay, and after five years and roughly £15,000 of investment, transformed it into a turbocharged Pagani Zonda replica with an Audi V8 engine—though it’s not road legal in the UK.

The Accidental Supercar Project

It all began when 53-year-old Nick Truman, a father of three and self-described car enthusiast, set out to build a coffee table. But when he realized the parts he bought didn’t fit, he jokingly decided to build a Pagani Zonda instead—a car he’d never even seen in person. What started as a joke soon became a full-blown passion project.

Truman originally purchased the Ford Granada for around £4,700. From there, he scoured eBay for parts including tyres, a windscreen, gearbox components, and more, slowly piecing together his vision of a high-performance supercar on a DIY budget.

Building the Zonda Replica

Without ever seeing a real Pagani Zonda, Truman used a toy model as his visual reference. He then invested upwards of a thousand hours of labour, manually assembling the car from a mix of salvaged and purchased parts. The result? A striking turbocharged supercar that visually mirrors the iconic Pagani Zonda.

Although he hasn’t officially tested the power output, Truman claims the car is equipped with an Audi V8 engine and should be capable of producing around 500 brake horsepower. The build wasn’t without setbacks—he even accidentally sliced off part of his fingertip during construction. But through blood, sweat, and a lot of online auctions, the project came together.

Investment and Legal Limitations

In total, Truman estimates he spent approximately £15,000 sourcing parts and materials through eBay. The car remains a showpiece rather than a daily driver: it’s not road legal in the UK. Despite the limitations, Truman enjoys working on the project with his children, although his wife isn’t quite as enthusiastic about the garage becoming a workshop.

The transformation showcases what’s possible with determination, creativity, and a trove of online auction finds. While it may not be street-legal, the Zonda replica stands as a testament to what one man can achieve with limited resources and limitless ambition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What car did Nick Truman start with?

Nick Truman began his project with a 1990s Ford Granada, which he purchased for around £4,700 (approximately £100 mentioned as original value, likely a typo or misreporting).

How much did the project cost?

Truman invested roughly £15,000 in parts and materials sourced primarily from eBay over the course of the build.

What engine is in the Pagani Zonda replica?

The replica is powered by an Audi V8 engine, and Truman claims it should be capable of producing around 500 brake horsepower, though this hasn’t been officially tested.

Is the car road legal?

No, the completed Pagani Zonda replica is not legal to drive on public roads in the UK.

How long did the build take?

The entire project took Truman about five years to complete, involving over a thousand hours of manual work.

Did Truman use any visual references for the Zonda?

Since he had never seen a real Pagani Zonda, Truman used a toy model as the reference for the car’s design and proportions.