Peter Monteverdi #blogpost

Peter Monteverdi was born on the 7th of June 1934 in Binningen, on the outskirts of Basel in Switzerland. He is known primarily for founding the car manufacturer Monteverdi, which was based in Basel, but there is a lot more he did apart from that. In this article I will look into his early and not so well known cars, but also into the cars he is most famous for. Some of the cars in this post will be part of #MyDreamGarage, and will be pointed out as such.

My Dream Garage #99: Monteverdi Special

Peter Monteverdi was born on the 7th of June 1934 in Binningen, on the outskirts of Basel in Switzerland. He started off his career as a car salesman, but between 1950 and 1952 built a race car from a Fiat Balilla, which was badged a Monteverdi Special. In 1957 he acquired the Swiss franchise for Ferrari, and over the years expanded into importing cars from other prestige brands such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

Peter formed a car company (MBM) in 1960, and the first car was for Formula Junior. The meaning of MBM is disputed, with some saying it stands for Monteverdi Basel Motoren, and others Monteverdi Basel Mantzel (Mantzel referring to DKW engine specialist Dieter Mantzel, or his company, who helped build the Formula Junior car).

My Dream Garage #100: MBM-Porsche

In 1961, work started on a F1 car, which would have a Porsche flat-four. It was first entered in the non-championship Solitude Grand Prix, held near Stuttgart in Germany. The car qualified last and retired with engine failure after just two laps. A bad crash at the Hockeheimring wrecked the car, so even though it had been entered, it was withdrawn from the 1961 German Grand Prix.

My Dream Garage #101: 1961 Monteverdi Sport

Also in 1961, the Sport was unveiled, with a 1.1 l O.S.C.A engine, for competition, but only one was built. In 1962 a closed bodywork version called the Tourismo was built, but it never got past the prototype stage.

My Dream Garage #102: Monteverdi High Speed 375/S (Frua)

After this no more cars were built for a while, with his business selling exotic cars enough for him. But in 1967, Monteverdi decided that he wanted to build high performance luxury cars. The first model, the Monteverdi High Speed 375/S coupé was launched at the the Frankfurt Motor Show and was received positively. The car used a steel frame with an aluminium body designed by Pietro Frua. The car got a 7.2 l Chrysler V8 with 375 bhp and was very luxurious. Only 11 were built between 1968 and 1969, and then the alliance between Monteverdi and Frua split.

Before this split, the 2000 GTI was made, with a 98 bhp four-cylinder. Only one was built.

A partnership was formed between Monteverdi and Fissore, and the first job was a redesign of the High Speed 375. A few variations were offered, with the 375/S being a two seat coupé and the 375/C a drophead convertible. The massive four door 375/4 was also built.

In 1974 a Berlinetta model was offered, as well as another convertible called the Palm Beach, though it remained a one-off.

In 1970, a replacement for the High Speed 375, the Hai, was revealed. Pitched as a direct competitor to the supercars from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, it featured a 7.0 l Chysler V8 in the middle of the car. Unfortunately the car never got past the prototype stage.

In 1976 production of super luxury cars ended, and production of luxurious off-road station wagons was started. The first car was the Sahara, which was a slightly modified International Harvester Scout. The second car, the Safari, was also based on the International Harvester Scout, but the bodywork had been completely changed by Fissore. As well as the standard Scout 5.0 or 5.6 l V8s, there was the option to install the 7.0 l Chrysler engine. In 1979 production reached 350 units.

In 1977, the Monteverdi Sierra was introduced, based on the Plymouth Volaré. The bodywork was changed by Fissore, and with their modifications it looked distinctly European. There was also a convertible version, based on a Dodge Diplomat Coupe, but only two were ever built. A station wagon based on the Plymouth was also made, but it remained a one-off.

My Dream Garage #103: Monteverdi Tiara

After production of the Plymouth Volaré ended in 1980, the Mercedes S-Class was selected for modification. It is not known if there was serious production of the car, which was called the Monteverdi Tiara.

In 1978, work began on a four-door version of the Range Rover, in active collaboration with Land Rover. However in 1981 Land Rover introduced their own four-door Range Rover in 1981, and so the Monteverdi conversions ended. Around 167 cars were converted.

By 1984, production in Basel had ended, and the factory was converted into the Monteverdi Car Collection, which opened in 1985.

My Dream Garage #104: Monteverdi Hai 650 F1

In 1990 Peter Monteverdi bought Onyx Formula One team, which was renamed Monteverdi-Onyx for that season. The team only survived ten races out of the 16 that year before closing down.

In 1992 he tried to re-enter the car scene with the Hai 650 F1. Featuring a chassis and engine (in detuned form) from the Montevrdi-Onyx team, the car had 650 bhp, and it was claimed it could reach 208 mph and do 0-60 mph in 3 seconds. In 1992! A few orders were taken, though no cars were ever sold and only two prototypes exist.

Peter Monteverdi died on the 4th of July 1998 from cancer. He was 64 years old.