Monteverdi Hai 450

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.

Monteverdi Hai 450
Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS works replica (front) and Hai 450 SS factory replica (rear) at the Monteverdi Museum (Basel, Switzerland)
Overview
ManufacturerMonteverdi
Production1970, 1973
2 examples built
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
LayoutRMR layout
Powertrain
Engine6,974 cc (426 cu in) Chrysler Hemi V8
TransmissionZF 5-Speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,548 mm (100.3 in)
Length4,343 mm (171.0 in)
Width1,788 mm (70.4 in)
Height1,021 mm (40.2 in)
Curb weight1,756 kg (3,871 lb)

History
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.

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
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 × 95.25 mm (4.248 in × 3.750 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 × 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 weight 1,247 kg (2,749 lb)
Maximum speed More than 289 km/h (180 mph)
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 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 49

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. 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. 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.
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