Rare ONES When talking about Monteverdi, a Binningen, Swiss based automotive company, of course it cannot be separated from the figure of its founder Peter Monteverdi. According to BDMClassiccars, this Switzerland gentlemen is constructed his first car when he was 17 years old. While still in his early twenties, he also formed his own racing team, MBM (Monteverdi Binningen Motors), and successfully competed in many international events, by piloting his own cars as well. But his racing career ended after he experienced a near fatal crash in the Formula 1 racing event, while drove his Porsche engined MBM's racing car.
1970 Monteverdi Hai 450SS is the second car with the bodywork designed by Trevor Fiore. (Picture from: Coachbuild)
In the early sixties, Monteverdi developed a very successful automotive dealership business by distributing Ferraris, Lancia, BMW and Rolls Royce. However, following a disagreement with Enzo Ferrari, at age 33, he decided to design and build his own Gran Turismo. The Hai (mid-mounted supercar) is one of several Monteverdi models owned by the world's automotive enthusiast over the years including the first GT car, the 2 seater 375S, the second series 2 seater, the 375SS, 375L (2+2), and the 4 door sedans, the 375/4 and Sierra. Peter Monteverdi died in 1998 at age 65 years.
1970
Monteverdi Hai 375S is the first 2-seater GT car is designed and bodied
by Carrozzeria Fissore for Monteverdi, it also known as the first car
used the unique name of Hai. (Picture from: Coachbuild)
As the Hai known as one of the most renowned sportscar produced by Monteverdi back in the 1970s. The first model is shown at at the 1970 Geneva Auto Show and managed to grab a great success. This particular prototype car is built intended to be a show car with the bodywork designed by Trevor Fiore, an automotive designer who worked for an Italian coachbuilder called Carrozzeria Fissore, and initially only 2 cars were ever made.
Peter Monteverdi is posed along with 1970
Monteverdi Hai 450SS while attending at at the
1970 Geneva Auto Show. (Picture from: Monteverdi)
Regarding to its Hai unique name attached on these sportscars intended to be some kind of greeting (halo or hi) to draw people attention on the mentioned car. The name used on the first car #101 known as the Monteverdi 375 S.😀 While the second car #102 called the Monteverdi 450 SS had a slightly longer wheelbase. Today known there are a total of 4 Hai’s.
1970 Monteverdi Hai 450SS is shown for the first time to public at at the 1970 Geneva Auto Show and managed to grab a great success. (Picture from: BDMClassicCars)
Although Monteverdi received many requests for Hai’s, he refused to build them, believing them to be too powerful for the inexperienced driver. The Hai had a claimed top speed of 180 mph, meanwhile Automobile Quarterly magazine noted the Hai could be achieved 176 mph before running out of road, while Road Test magazine recorded its acceleration performance of 0-60 in 4.7 secs.
Inside of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450SS has the dashboard and center console featured with the original Behr A/C vents, Blaupunkt Koln radio, original gearshift knob, steering wheel and horn button. (Picture from: BDMClassicCars)
The original two plus two more built by Monteverdi in the early 1990’s from left over parts. Of the 4 cars, this is the only example outside the Monteverdi museum where the other 3 are housed. It is also the only example with the "Hemi" engine.
1970 Monteverdi Hai 450SS is powered by a mid-mounted 7 liter V8 Hemi engine couple with 4-speed manual gearbox, which claimed able to be driven up to a top speed of 180 mph. (Picture from: BDMClassicCars)
The Hai was restored in 2006 back to its original 1970 Geneva Auto Show exterior color scheme of "Purple Smoke" (as originally described by Peter Monteverdi and also found underneath more recent resprays) and chrome windshield and side glass moldings.
1970 Monteverdi Hai 450SS is wore its original 1970 Geneva Auto Show exterior color scheme of "Purple Smoke" (as originally described by Peter Monteverdi and also found underneath more recent resprays) and chrome windshield and side glass moldings. (Picture from: Coachbuild)
The interior was returned to off-white door panels with chrome embellishment strips and black armrests, black engine cover (and surrounding panels) and black carpets. The dash and center console were returned to their original configuration with the installation of the original Behr A/C vents, Blaupunkt Koln radio, original gearshift knob, steering wheel and horn button.
The Hai sportscar has been shown at Pebble Beach twice: 1989 and again in 2006 placing 3rd in the "Mid Engined Show Cars, Prototypes & Concept Cars" class. Both Pebble Beach color schemes are shown here: copper metallic with tan interior in 1989 and "purple smoke" with white and black interior in 2006" *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MONTEVERDI | BDMCLASSICCARS | COACHBUILD ]
The Hai sportscar has been shown at Pebble Beach twice: 1989 and again in 2006 placing 3rd in the "Mid Engined Show Cars, Prototypes & Concept Cars" class. Both Pebble Beach color schemes are shown here: copper metallic with tan interior in 1989 and "purple smoke" with white and black interior in 2006" *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MONTEVERDI | BDMCLASSICCARS | COACHBUILD ]
