Kode61 Birdcage Debuts At Villa d'Este As Retro-Modern Roadster UPDATE

A small run of production versions are coming.

kode61 Birdcage blue and white front angle

Chris Bruce

By: Chris Bruce

Updated: May 23, 2023 at 4:01pm ET

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UPDATE: Since this story's original publication, Ken Okuyama Cars released additional photos and specs for the Kode61 Birdcage. We extensively updated the report to reflect the new info.

Ken Okuyama is an accomplished industrial designer with a resumé that includes working on the Ferrari Enzo, 599 GTB, and 612 Scaglietti during his time at Pininfarina. Now, he operates Ken Okuyama Cars that creates beautiful, small-run machines. He debuted the new Kode61 Birdcage at this year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.

The Kode61 Birdcage has a design that mixes retro and modern styling elements. The front comes to a sharp point, and skinny headlights incorporate into the edge. The grille features an asymmetrical layout.

Gallery: kode61 Birdcage

Kode61 Birdcage

kode61 Birdcage

The hood features exposed sections near the inner portions of the raised fenders. It appears these openings might let onlookers get a glimpse of the mechanical parts underneath.

The sides have sharp creases, but the fenders have flowing arches. The tiny doors look neat. However, the high sills make it look difficult to step into the vehicle.

The rear deck features a pointed shape that is similar to the nose. There are gills on the inner section of each fender. A pair of exhausts exit out of the tip of the tail.

The Kode61 Birdcage and its styling take inspiration from the Maserati Tipo 61, but in this case, the body panels are carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. It went by the nickname "Birdcage" because of the partially exposed spaceframe chassis. Okuyama also worked on the 2005 Birdcage 75th concept while he was at Pininfarina. The vehicle combined modern techniques with the appearance of the original.

The interior features a central spine that separates the occupants. Both seats have separate, rounded windshields. The driver looks at two, large analog gauges. The gearshift is a gated six-speed manual with a semi-exposed linkage. The key goes into the middle of the center stack, and there are switches beneath it. The passenger looks at a digital display.

The Kode61 Birdcage uses a 4.2-liter V8 that makes 396 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 326 pound-feet of torque. The video above lets you hear the engine. The suspension consists of independent, unequal-length wishbones.

Okuyama makes no mention of the Kode61 Birdcage's powertrain. You can hear the combustion engine in the video above. We reached out to Ken Okuyama Design for more details.

The Kode61 Birdcage marked the first time for a Japanese coachbuilder to earn a nomination in the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este concept car category.

Kode61 Birdcage Debuts At Villa d'Este As Retro-Modern Roadster *UPDATE*

A small run of production versions are coming.

Gallery: kode61 Birdcage

Kode61 Birdcage Debuts At Villa d'Este As Retro-Modern Roadster UPDATE