Looks Familiar???

[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