Monteverdi · 1970–1973
Monteverdi Hai 450
The Monteverdi Hai 450 SS is a mid-engined prototype sports car built by Monteverdi to complement the company's High Speed line. It was intended to be a direct competitor to high end sports cars from Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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History
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 seats. Its name combined the German word for "shark" (Hai) and the rated output of the engine. A second car was built 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 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. In the 1990s, Monteverdi used spare parts to build two additional replicas, which now reside in the Swiss National Transport Museum in Luzern. Paul Frère tested the 450 SS, 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). 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. Like Monteverdi's front-engined cars, the Hai made extensive use of Chrysler parts. 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 recirculating ball steering.
Styling controversy
The body design is usually attributed to Trevor Fiore, of Carrozzeria Fissore, although some sources credit Pietro Frua.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.
Specifications
- name
- Monteverdi Hai 450
- Manufacturer
- Monteverdi
- Production
- 1970, 1973, 2 examples built
- Assembly
- Switzerland: Basel
- Class
- Sports car
- Layout
- RMR layout
- Engine
- 6974 cc Chrysler Hemi V8
- Transmission
- ZF 5-Speed manual
- Wheelbase
- 2548 mm
- Length
- 4343 mm
- Width
- 1788 mm
- Height
- 1021 mm
- Kerb weight
- 1756 kg
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1130845CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monteverdi_Hai_450CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1368389481 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1970_Monteverdi_Hai_450SS.jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: Simon Davison · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.