Monteverdi Hai 450
| Monteverdi Hai 450 | |
|---|---|
 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and 450 GTS (replicas) at the Monteverdi Museum (Basel, Switzerland) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Monteverdi |
| Production | 1970 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Layout | RMR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6974 cc / 425.6 cu in Chrysler Hemi V8 |
| Transmission | ZF 5-Speed Transaxle |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,548 mm (100.3 in) |
| Length | 4,343 mm (171.0 in) |
| Width | 1,788 mm (70.4 in) |
| Height | 1,021 mm (40.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,756 kg (3,871 lb) |
The Monteverdi Hai 450 SS was a prototype and follow on to the 375 High Speed. It was intended to be a direct competitor to the top of the list super sports cars of Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati.
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 Carozzeria 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 initially planned to produce 49 copies, but the production was halted after the two prototypes. This is most likely due to the car's speculated $27,000 price tag, a considerable sum for such a car in that era. In the 1990s, two additional replicas from spare parts were made by Monteverdi, those now reside in the official Monteverdi Museum in Basel-Binningen.
Specifications
| Monteverdi Hai 450 SS Technical Data | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis | Steel Tube Chassis with rectangular tubing. | ||
| Engine | Chrysler 426 Hemi V8. Twin four-barrel Carter carburettors. Mid-mounted, longitudinal engine, rear-wheel drive. | ||
| Bore & stroke | 107.9 mm x 95.25 mm / 4.25 in x 3.75 in. | ||
| Compression | 10.25:1 | ||
| Capacity | 6,974 cc (425.6 cu in) | ||
| Power | 450 PS (331 kW) at 5,000 rpm; 350 hp SAE net | ||
| Torque | 664.35 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. | ||
| Steering | Worm & Roller. | ||
| Front suspension | Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Adjustable Koni Shock Absorbers. | ||
| Rear suspension | De Dion System w/Lateral Watts Link, Lower Trailing Arms, Coil Springs, Adjustable Koni Shock Absorbers. | ||
| Brakes | ATE Vented Discs. ATE Inboard Vented Discs. | ||
| Body | Steel body over Steel Tube Chassis. | ||
| Measurements | 4,343 mm (171.0 in) X 1,788 mm (70.4 in) X 1,021 mm (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 weight | 1,247 kg (2,749 lb) | ||
| Maximum speed | More than 289 km/h (180 mph) | ||
| Acceleration | 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph): 4.8 s | ||
| Fuel consumption | 17.2 L/100 km (16.4 mpg-imp; 13.7 mpg-US) | ||
| Number of cars built | 2 | number of cars planned to be made | – |
Paul Frère tested the 450 SS obtaining 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 reached 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 280 km/h (174 mph) tested by Autozeitung.[3] Curb weight of the 450 SS was tested 1,756 kg (3,871 lb), much more than the factory claim.[4]
References
- ↑ The Monteverdi Hai – behind the wheel of the most elusive classic of all - Classic and Sports Car
- ↑ Donnelly, Jim (June 2011). "Visionaries: Pietro Frua". Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car (Bennington, VT: Hemmings Motor News) 6 (10): 60. ISSN 1555-6867.
- ↑ "Auto Zeitung 12/2004" (in German). Retrieved 2016-01-31.
- ↑ "NZZ 19.Oktober 2010" (in German). Retrieved 2016-02-07.
- The Observer's Book of Automobiles Frederick Warne & Co (1978) ISBN 0-7232-1585-5