Shoreline Bespoke’s LM Coupé revives pure driving. Discover how 1960s classic sports cars inspired its lightweight design and performance focus.
Shoreline Bespoke and their stunning LM Coupé Laguna Prototype One. If you are wondering why this modern car exudes classic 1960s beauty, the answer lies in its inspiration. Los Angeles-based start-up Shoreline Bespoke is trying to rekindle the “pure driving experience” with the LM Coupé, which has become increasingly difficult in today’s age of fuel and emissions restrictions.
When you first see this Californian car, it immediately reminds you of classic 1960s sports cars like Porsche’s Carrera 6 and Ford’s GT40. This clearly shows that the company has focused on retro beauty and great performance since the beginning.
Looking at the official renderings of the LM Coupé, you can immediately see the similarities with the 1968 Porsche 910. According to sources, this car was the initial inspiration for the LM Coupé. The 910 was part of a series of Le Mans racers. This inspiration is not just limited to the exterior design; it is also reflected in the car’s lightweight goal. The LM Coupé also aims to weigh 1,000 pounds less than the Mazda MX-5 Miata, giving it the feel of the light and agile sports cars of the 1960s.
Interestingly, instead of showing a concept car first, the company presented its car as a rolling chassis. This approach was inspired by the first roll out of the Lamborghini Miura at the 1965 Turin Motor Show. This approach, which prioritizes the engineering of the chassis and powertrain, is reminiscent of the development of many sports cars of the 1960s where performance and mechanics were put first. The backgrounds of Shoreline co-founders Spencer Beckman (who was a motorsport engineer) and Kyle Krueger (who previously built rocket engines in the aerospace industry) probably help explain this engineering-focused, old-school approach.
This 1960s inspiration isn’t just for styling, but part of the car’s core design. It features a tubular spaceframe made of steel-alloy for added stiffness, which was common in classic racing cars. The suspension is an “extremely adjustable double wishbone” setup, and the steering system is described as “motorsport-grade,” developed in collaboration with Formula 1 engineers. The center of gravity is being kept “the lowest of any production vehicle.” It’s all meant to prioritize handling and provide a “visceral” or thrilling experience like the racing machines of the 1960s.
In short, the 1960s inspiration in Shoreline Bespoke’s LM Coupé isn’t just cosmetic; it’s the basis of the car’s entire philosophy. It’s an attempt to recreate that era’s lightweight design, attention to engineering, and pure, exciting driving experience. This inspiration makes the Shoreline stand out in the modern car market and is for those who appreciate the fundamentals of driving, as defined by the great cars of the 1960s.
Source: Shoreline Bespoke
Sophiya’s passion for cars ignited before she was three, and she would identify every vehicle on her street. That enthusiasm fueled her pursuit of a mechanical engineering technology degree and a career covering the auto industry. A four-time Canadian Automotive Journalism Awards winner, Sophiya now serves as president of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada.
