AutoCult Monteverdi Special (1950) (Switzerland)

About the Original

The first One

When the name Monteverdi is mentioned, car enthusiasts immediately picture high priced, sporty passenger cars, which have always caused a stir in wealthy social circles. The driving force behind these vehicles was Swiss citizen Peter Monteverdi. However, before he started producing his luxury cars in 1967, he had already gained a lot of experience in vehicle construction.

According to his personal statements, he began developing and building his own sports car at the age of 17. This phase was apparently embellished by him with only very sparse data, because not much has really been known about it. The car is exhibited in the Monteverdi Museum, on the information board only a few details are listed.

Accordingly, the 17-year-old took the 1100cc engine as a drive, which came from an accident car of a Fiat 508 C and dated 1949. He mounted the 40 hp four-cylinder engine into a frame he designed himself. Not only did the engine came from and accident Fiat, but also the four-speed gearbox, the drum brakes and the rear wheel axle, which he adapted to the new conditions, originally did their work in the broken Italian.

The design of the 17-year-old was based on the racing car layout that was common at the time and featured a very rounded and longitudinally, cigar shaped car body.

With a stated total weight of just 750 kg, his ‘Special’ reached a speed of 145 km/h.