Monteverdi Hai 450
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 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, although some sources credit Pietro Frua. 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. In the 1990s, two additional replicas from spare parts were made by Monteverdi, those now reside in the Swiss National Transport Museum in Luzern.
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 | |
| Power | at 5,000 rpm; 350 hp SAE net |
| Torque | 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 | X X ; Wheelbase ; Front Track ; Rear Track. |
| Unloaded weight | |
| Maximum speed | More than |
| Acceleration | 0 to 100 km/h : 4.8 s |
| Fuel consumption | |
| Number of cars built | 2 |
| Number of cars planned to be made | 49 |
Paul Frère tested the 450SS, reaching in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of. The 450 GTS, tested by Autozeitung, reached 0- in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of. Curb weight of the 450 SS was as tested by Automobil-Revue in 1970, considerably higher than the factory numbers.