Rare '70s Swiss Supercar on the Auction Block

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed)
Jan 11th 2010 at 2:01PM

A extremely rare 1970s Swiss supercar prototype is one of the starring attractions at Bonhams' Retromobile sale in Paris on Jan. 23. The ex-Geneva Motor Show, ex-Pebble Beach concours 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS coupé prototype (above) is expected to fetch up to €500,000 or about $750,000. The Monteverdi Hai is one of a kind sports prototype that "represented the pinnacle of the contemporary avant-garde performance car thinking" when it was first exhibited. One of the earliest mid-engined supercars ever built, Swiss businessman Peter Monteverdi designed it to compete with Ferrari, and it cost twice as much as an Aston Martin at the time. The car is capable of over 176 mph and can do 0 - 60 in 4.7 seconds. Also on offer at the auction are a c.1930 Bentley Le Mans-style Tourer (estimate €450,000 - €550,000); a 1929 Mercedes-Benz 630K "Town Car" (estimate €400,000 - €600,000); and a 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50HP Double Phaeton (estimate €250,000 - €350,000).

Tags: Bonhams, Monteverdi, Paris, supercar