Monteverdi Hai 450 SS
The Monteverdi Hai 450 SS is one of the rarest and most extraordinary supercars ever conceived. Created by Swiss entrepreneur Peter Monteverdi in 1970, only two examples of this mid-engined masterpiece were ever built, making it one of the most exclusive automobiles in existence. The Hai (German for 'shark') was Monteverdi's ambitious attempt to create a supercar that would rival the Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari 512 BB, using American V8 power in a sophisticated European chassis.
The engine was a Chrysler 426 Hemi V8, the legendary powerplant from American muscle cars, mounted amidships behind the driver. Producing approximately 450 horsepower, the Hemi provided explosive performance in the lightweight Hai chassis. The combination of massive displacement, high-revving capability, and the Hai's relatively low weight of 1,335 kg created a car that could allegedly reach 290 km/h, making it one of the fastest cars in the world when it was built.
The body was designed by Pietro Frua, the Italian coachbuilder whose elegant work graced several Monteverdi models. The Hai's mid-engine layout required a design quite different from Monteverdi's front-engined grand tourers, and Frua created a low, wide body with dramatic proportions. The result was visually stunning, with a profile that was at once aggressive and elegant.
The chassis was tubular steel, designed specifically for the mid-engine layout. Double wishbone suspension at all four corners provided sophisticated wheel control, while Girling ventilated disc brakes handled the immense stopping requirements. A ZF five-speed manual gearbox transmitted the Hemi's prodigious power to the rear wheels.
Peter Monteverdi was a fascinating figure in automotive history. A Swiss-German entrepreneur who began his career as a racing driver, he established his car company in Binningen, near Basel, in the 1960s. His cars typically combined American V8 engines with European chassis and bodywork, creating a unique fusion that appealed to wealthy European buyers who wanted American power in a more sophisticated package.
The Hai 450 SS was Monteverdi's most ambitious project, but it was also his most challenging. The mid-engine layout proved difficult to engineer satisfactorily, particularly regarding cooling for the massive Hemi engine. Production issues and the oil crisis of 1973 ultimately prevented the Hai from reaching series production.
With only two examples built, the Monteverdi Hai 450 SS is one of the rarest supercars ever created. Both surviving cars are in private collections and rarely appear in public. The Hai represents one of the great 'what if' stories in automotive history: had it reached production, it might have challenged the Lamborghini and Ferrari establishment.
The Hai 450 SS stands as a testament to the ambition and engineering capability of a small Swiss manufacturer. It demonstrated that a tiny company could design and build a supercar to rival the established Italian giants, even if circumstances prevented it from achieving commercial success.
With only 2 built, the Hai is essentially unavailable. Both examples are known and tracked by Monteverdi historians. Any purchase opportunity would require extensive due diligence and provenance verification. The Chrysler Hemi engine is well-supported for parts, but Monteverdi-specific components are unique and irreplaceable.
Only 2 examples were built at Monteverdi's facility in Binningen, Switzerland. Designed by Pietro Frua. The Chrysler 426 Hemi engine was sourced from the USA. Cooling issues with the mid-mounted Hemi prevented series production. Both surviving examples are in private collections. Peter Monteverdi ceased car production in the 1980s.