Looks Familiar???

[TLF799R]

While looking up something completely different I came across this Monteverdi Sierra and I had a sneaking feeling of deja vu. Who was Mr Monteverdi and was he a secret friend of Mr Zagato???

Philippa

[Kevin H]

Philippa, it doesn't really remind me of a 412, but then I don't see a 412 every day as you probably do. Do you have any side views of the Sierra?

Pietro Frua helped Peter Monteverdi style the 375S, other than that I believe Monteverdi did all his own design work, he was widely recognised as a brilliant designer in his own right. Bear in mind, many cars from specific eras look similar, it's a bit like fashion.

In case you didn't know, the Sierra was based on the Chrysler Le Baron which were delivered as bare rolling chassis with engine and transmission. Monteverdi designed the body and I think they were produced by Fissore in Italy.

If you want a cheap but very good potted history of Monteverdi, there is a 20 page article with b&w and colour photos in Automobile Quarterly Vol.29 #2.

[geo]

Peter Monteverdi had some connection with Ferrari before making his
own Swiss eponymous cars in the 1950s. After producing his own F1 car
(of which I have no memory), I think he took over the Onyx team. If I
recall correctly, he died at the end of the 1990s (1998?).

Whilst working on a film some 20 years ago I spent several of the
breaks fiddling with the Chrysler engine of one of the musician's
Monteverdis - in quite a few respects highly reminiscent of the
Bristol and, as one might expect from something made in Switzerland,
beautiful attention to detail and execution. It was interesting to
compare it with my then 408.

George

[TLF799R]

Originally Posted by Kevin Howard

Philippa, it doesn't really remind me of a 412, but then I don't see a 412 every day as you probably do. Do you have any side views of the Sierra?

This is the side view, with a 412 for comparison.

Philippa

[jimfoz]

The sierra was also available as a convertible which may have even more familiarity with the 412?

[Kevin H]

The front of the Sierra is very similar to the stunning Monteverdi 375S. It's very different to the blunt nose of the 412. As for the rear end, the Sierra is so sharp and angular it makes the 412's rear end look positively curvaceous!

I believe any perceived similarities are purely coincidence.

I don't think there is any question that the 412 is a Zagato design. Realistically it's unlike anything else, which to my mind is very typical of Zagato designs, they are quite unique.

Incidentally, I have just come across something which suggests the Sierra was styled by Carrozzeria Fissore, contrary to my earlier post in which I suggested that Peter Monteverdi designed it himself. The Fissore brothers apparently built the bodies for the 375S, (as a result of an introduction by Frua).

[johndschaefer]

Monteverdis I know about, as I used to own a 375L. They were in fact Monteverdi designed, as was the 4 door Range Rover. Fissore had some input I am sure, but the final design was Monteverdi. It worked well on the 375L and Range Rover, but the Sierra... well, nevermind.

[Markus Berzborn]

Dear Bristol and exotic car lovers,

The Sierra is not the most interesting of Monteverdi's Cars.
In fact, it's just a kind of energy crisis-induced budget model based on the Dodge Aspen/Plymouth Volare of the period. If you have a closer look at it, you will notice that the central part of the body remained almost completely unchanged. Monteverdi just redesigned the front and the rear part - but in a very clever way, I must admit. It really works, the car looks elegant and does not make you think of a Dodge/Plymouth at first glance.
What really sets it apart from the model it is based on, is the Sierra's hand-made leather interior, also the dashboard is very different.

But on the whole, it does not compare to the old, much more expensive 375 models. These are really fascinating vehicles, but very few were produced, may be around 200 or 300. They rarely show up on the 2nd hand market.
The engines were Chrysler big blocks, the chassis and suspension was Monteverdi design made in Switzerland and the bodies were built in Italy - first by Frua and then by Fissore and others.

The Monterverdi company still exists, it just stopped producing cars. After Peter Monterverdi's death in 1998, it now belongs to his long-time partner Paul Berger. What the company does today, is mainly to run a museum in Basel (in the former production premises). I was there three times and it is really a worthwile visit. Have a look at it on your next trip to Switzerland.

http://www.monteverdi.ch

As for the Sierra convertible - yes, this is really beautiful. But only two examples were produced. One is in the Monteverdi museum, the other one currently belongs to a Swiss car dealer who is restoring some mechanical details at the present moment and maybe will sell it then.

And if you have the money (I don't) - one of the most exclusive Monteverdi models is currently for sale:

http://www.fantasyjunction.com/used-...25b0bd25ed4db9

Regards,
Markus

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by Markus Berzborn

Dear Bristol and exotic car lovers,

The Sierra is not the most interesting of Monteverdi's Cars.

Markus,
We're not talking about the Sierra because we think it is interesting, not that we don't consider Monteverdi's interesting, it's just that someone compared it with the Zagato designed Bristol 412.

Frankly I don't see much similarity between the Sierra and the Bristol 412, except the V8 Chrysler power under the bonnet of both cars.

Regards,
Kevin

[Markus Berzborn]

Originally Posted by Kevin Howard

Frankly I don't see much similarity between the Sierra and the Bristol 412, except the V8 Chrysler power under the bonnet of both cars.

Nor do I.

It's just both angular seventies design.
Maybe the most extreme example of this style is the Aston Martin Lagonda designed by William Towns.

Regards,
Markus

[Peter.Kent]

According to Wikpedia the Lancia Beta Spider (LB Spider Zegato as in the
US of A) was designed by Pinnafarina but built by Zegato. Introduced 1973.
Look at the images, though. The targa roof arrangement is almost a clone
of the 412 (or vice versa) and then there is the flat bonnet line and
bluff nose. Find one from the rear and there is the same sort of boot line
and the identical rear light cluster (I`m just having an idicator light
lens replaced and it`s sourced from Lancia.) Did Zegato copy the cars he
was building ... or is Wikpedia wrong? P

[Markus Berzborn]

Well, isn't it more or less normal for small manufacturers to source items such as rear lights from mass produced vehicles.
At least, with marques such as Bristol and Monteverdi, this was often the case.
E.g., Bristol Brigand - Bedford Van
Monteverdi Safari - Peugeot 504 Break
later series Monteverdi 375 - Triumph TR 6

Regards,
Markus

[dave c]

I believe the bumpers on the 412/beaufighter also come from the spider.

Regards

Dave

[TLF799R]

Originally Posted by Kevin Howard

Markus,
We're not talking about the Sierra because we think it is interesting, not that we don't consider Monteverdi's interesting, it's just that someone compared it with the Zagato designed Bristol 412.

Frankly I don't see much similarity between the Sierra and the Bristol 412, except the V8 Chrysler power under the bonnet of both cars.

Regards,
Kevin

Well, that tells me doesn't it!

Philippa
p.s. the Zagato question was posed with tongue firmly in cheek...

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by TLF799R

Well, that tells me doesn't it!

Philippa
p.s. the Zagato question was posed with tongue firmly in cheek...

Ha ha, that's the trouble with email & forums, no one can see your tounge in your cheek

[Sam410]

Well if you're tempted, there's one for auction in a fortnight in Switzerland.

http://www.oldtimergalerie.ch/images...monteverdi.htm