Looks Familiar???

[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.