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 is 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 high end sports cars from 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 cc (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 shared many parts 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 mpg‑imp; 13.7 mpg‑US)
Number of cars built2
Number of cars planned to be made49

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. 6 (10). Bennington, VT: Hemmings Motor News: 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.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.