Monteverdi Hai 450

Last updated
Monteverdi Hai 450
Monteverdi Hai-103.jpg
Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS works replica (front) and Hai 450 SS factory replica (rear) at the Monteverdi Museum (Basel, Switzerland)
Overview
Manufacturer Monteverdi
Production1970, 1973
2 examples built
Body and chassis
Class Sports car
Layout RMR layout
Powertrain
Engine 6,974 cc (426 cu in) Chrysler Hemi V8
Transmission ZF 5-Speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,548 mm (100.3 in)
Length4,343 mm (171.0 in)
Width1,788 mm (70.4 in)
Height1,021 mm (40.2 in)
Curb weight 1,756 kg (3,871 lb)

The Monteverdi Hai 450 SS was a mid-engined prototype, an attempt to create a full sports car complementing the company's High Speed line. It was intended to be a direct competitor to the top of the list super sports cars of Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati.

Contents

History

Monteverdi Hai 450 SS (Replica) at the Monteverdi museum, Basel, Switzerland. Hai-104.jpg
Monteverdi Hai 450 SS (Replica) at the Monteverdi museum, Basel, Switzerland.

A magenta Hai 450 SS prototype debuted at the 1970 Geneva Auto Show. It had a 6,974-cubic-centimetre (425.6 cu in) V8 from Chrysler positioned behind the two front seats. It took its name from the output of the engine, and the German word for shark, Hai. The body was presumably designed by Trevor Fiore, of Carrozzeria Fissore, [1] although some sources credit Pietro Frua. [2] A second car was made with a longer wheelbase and minor detail changes like door handles and red bodywork. This car was named the Hai 450 GTS to mark the changes.

Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS at the Monteverdi Museum, Basel, Switzerland. Hai-GTS-101.jpg
Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS at the Monteverdi Museum, Basel, Switzerland.

Monteverdi initially planned to produce 49 copies, but the production was halted after the two prototypes. Only one car was actually sold, although in a 1974 interview Peter Monteverdi claimed to have delivered eleven of the cars. [3] [4] In the 1990s, two additional replicas from spare parts were made by Monteverdi, those now reside in the Swiss National Transport Museum in Luzern.

Paul Frère tested the 450SS, reaching 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 270.6 km/h (168 mph). The 450 GTS, tested by Autozeitung, reached 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 280 km/h (174 mph). [5] Curb weight of the 450 SS was 1,756 kg (3,871 lb) as tested by Automobil-Revue in 1970, considerably higher than the factory numbers. [3]

The Hai had large parts commonality with Monteverdi's front-engined cars, meaning that a large number of Chrysler parts were used. It has the same de Dion rear axle as the 375 High Speed, and may be the only mid-engined car ever to have used a recirculating ball steering setup. [4]

Specifications

Monteverdi Hai 450 SS Technical Data
ChassisSteel Tube Chassis with rectangular tubing.
EngineChrysler 426 Hemi V8. Twin four-barrel Carter carburettors. Mid-mounted, longitudinal engine, rear-wheel drive.
Bore & stroke107.9 mm × 95.25 mm (4.248 in × 3.750 in)
Compression10.25:1
Capacity6,974 cc (425.6 cu in)
Power450 PS (331 kW) at 5,000 rpm; 350 hp SAE net
Torque664.35 N⋅m (490.00 ft⋅lbf) at 4,000 rpm
Transmission ZF 5-Speed Transaxle. Ratios: 2.40:1, 1.40:1, 1.00:1, 0.90:1, 0.80:1, Reverse 3.60:1.
SteeringWorm & Roller.
Front suspensionWishbones w/Coil Springs, Adjustable Koni Shock Absorbers.
Rear suspensionDe Dion System w/Lateral Watts Link, Lower Trailing Arms, Coil Springs, Adjustable Koni Shock Absorbers.
BrakesATE Vented Discs. ATE Inboard Vented Discs.
BodySteel body over Steel Tube Chassis.
Measurements4,343 mm × 1,788 mm × 1,021 mm (171.0 in × 70.4 in × 40.2 in); Wheelbase 2,548 mm (100.3 in); Front Track 1,499 mm (59.0 in); Rear Track 1,458 mm (57.4 in).
Unloaded weight1,247 kg (2,749 lb)
Maximum speedMore than 289 km/h (180 mph)
Acceleration0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph): 4.8 s
Fuel consumption17.2 L/100 km (16.4 mpgimp; 13.7 mpgUS)
Number of cars built2
Number of cars planned to be made49

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AC Cars</span> British specialist automobile manufacturer

AC Cars, originally incorporated as Auto Carriers Ltd., is a British specialist automobile manufacturer and one of the oldest independent car makers founded in Britain. As a result of bad financial conditions over the years, the company was renamed or liquidated many times until its present form. In 2022, the new corporate structure began the production of new AC Cobra models, with a slightly modified structure to adapt it to modern safety and technology requirements and obtain the European road homologation certificate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 959</span> Sports car model

The Porsche 959 is a sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1986 to 1993, first as a Group B rally car and later as a road legal production car designed to satisfy FIA homologation regulations requiring at least 200 units be produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volvo P1800</span> Car model

The Volvo P1800 is a 2+2, front-engine, rear-drive sports car manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars between 1961 and 1973. Originally a coupé (1961–1972), it was also offered in a shooting-brake configuration toward the end of its production (1972–1973). Styling was by Pelle Petterson under the tutelage of Pietro Frua when Frua's studio was a subsidiary of the Italian carrozzeria Ghia, and the mechanicals were derived from Volvo's Amazon/122 series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche Carrera GT</span> Mid-engine limited production sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Porsche

The Porsche Carrera GT is a mid-engine sports car that was manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 2004 to 2006. Sports Car International named the Carrera GT number one on its list of Top Sports Cars of the 2000s, and number eight on its Top Sports Cars of All Time list. For its advanced technology and development of its chassis, Popular Science magazine awarded it the "Best of What's New" award in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pietro Frua</span>

Pietro Frua was one of the leading Italian coachbuilders and car designers during the 1950s and 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrozzeria Ghia</span> Italian automobile design firm

Carrozzeria Ghia SpA is an Italian automobile design and coachbuilding firm, established by Giacinto Ghia and Gariglio as "Carrozzeria Ghia & Gariglio". The headquarters are located at Corso Guglielmo Marconi, 4, Turin. The company is currently owned by Ford Motor Company and focused on the European market through Ford's subsidiary in the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugatti EB 110</span> Motor vehicle

The Bugatti EB 110 is a mid-engine sports car produced by Bugatti Automobili S.p.A. from 1991 until 1995, when the company was liquidated. A small number of post-production cars were completed afterwards, with the last one built by Dauer in 2002 and another unfinished example completed in 2019. It was the only production model made by Romano Artioli's Italian incarnation of Bugatti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monteverdi (automobile)</span> Defunct Swiss brand of luxury cars

Monteverdi was a Swiss brand of luxury cars created in 1967 by Peter Monteverdi (1934–1998) and based in Binningen on the southern edge of Basel, Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maserati Kyalami</span> Grand touring car

The Maserati Kyalami is a four-seat GT coupé produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati from 1976 to 1983. The car was named after the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in South Africa, where a Maserati-powered Cooper T81 won the 1967 South African Grand Prix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler ME Four-Twelve</span> Motor vehicle

The ME Four-Twelve is an American high-performance concept car that was engineered, developed and produced by Chrysler in 2004. The name is a combination of the Mid-Engine with Four turbochargers on a Twelve cylinder engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 911 GT2</span> Motor vehicle

The Porsche 911 GT2 is a high-performance, track-focused sports car built by the German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1993 to 2009, and then since 2010 as the GT2 RS. It is based on the 911 Turbo, and uses a similar twin-turbocharged engine, but features numerous upgrades, including engine enhancements, larger brakes, and stiffer suspension calibration. The GT2 is significantly lighter than the Turbo due to its use of rear-wheel-drive instead of all-wheel-drive system and the reduction or removal of interior components. As a result, the GT2 is the most expensive and fastest model among the 911 lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matra Bagheera</span> Motor vehicle

The Matra Bagheera is a sports car built by the automotive division of the French engineering group Matra in cooperation with automaker Simca. It was marketed as the Matra-Simca Bagheera until its final year of production, when its designation was changed to the Talbot-Matra Bagheera following Chrysler Europe's demise and subsequent takeover by PSA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maserati Mistral</span> Motor vehicle

The Maserati Mistral is a 2-seat gran turismo produced by Italian car manufacturer Maserati between 1963 and 1970. The successor to the 3500 GT, it was styled by Frua and bodied by Maggiora of Turin. A total of 828 coupés and 125 Spyders were built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AC Frua</span> Motor vehicle

The AC Frua or AC 428 is a British GT built by AC Cars from 1965 to 1973. Production was 81 cars built in total: 49 coupés, 29 convertibles, and 3 special bodied.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Viper</span> Sports car produced by Dodge

The Dodge Viper is a sports car that was manufactured by Dodge, a division of American car manufacturer FCA US LLC from 1992 until 2017, having taken a brief hiatus in 2007, and from 2010 to 2012. Production of the two-seat sports car began at New Mack Assembly Plant in 1991 and moved to Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in October 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monteverdi High Speed</span> Motor vehicle

The Monteverdi High Speed is a series of sports cars with different bodies produced from 1967-1976 by Swiss automaker Monteverdi. The High Speed series included several coupe models, a convertible and a sedan. In addition, the Coupé Berlinetta and the Cabriolet Palm Beach also belong to the model family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monteverdi Safari</span> Motor vehicle

The Monteverdi Safari is a Swiss luxury SUV first presented by Peter Monteverdi in 1976. It entered into production in 1977. Production came to an end in 1982, after production of the International Harvester Scout came to an end. There was also a lower-priced version called the Sahara, which retained the Scout's original bodywork with some modifications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monteverdi Hai 650 F1</span> Motor vehicle

The Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 was a prototype Swiss sports car concept produced by Monteverdi in the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman (982)</span> Third generation of the Cayman and fourth generation of the Boxster sports cars

The Porsche 982 is the internal designation of the fourth generation Boxster/Cayman made by German automobile manufacturer Porsche. With the switch to a new turbocharged flat-four engine the marketing name for the models was changed to Porsche 718, in reference to the 718, which won the Targa Florio race in 1959 and 1960. The name is meant to evoke Porsche's past racing successes with light cars like the 718 that outmanoeuvred competitors with larger and more powerful engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Momo Mirage</span> American Grand Touring coupe built in Italy

The Momo Mirage was an American Grand Touring coupe built in Italy. Several prototypes were completed in the early 1970s before the project was cancelled.

References

  1. The Monteverdi Hai – behind the wheel of the most elusive classic of all - Classic and Sports Car
  2. Donnelly, Jim (June 2011). "Visionaries: Pietro Frua". Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car. Bennington, VT: Hemmings Motor News. 6 (10): 60. ISSN   1555-6867.
  3. 1 2 Hug, Daniel (2010-09-19). "Wir haben den Monteverdi Hai nur einmal verkauft" [We only ever sold one Monteverdi Hai]. Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). Archived from the original on 2018-11-07.
  4. 1 2 Frère, Paul (May 1974). "The Cars of Peter Monteverdi". Road & Track . Vol. 25, no. 9. CBS Consumer Publishing Division. p. 74.
  5. "Swiss Air". Auto Zeitung (in German). No. 12/2004. Retrieved 2016-01-31.