This is a car that you’ll simply just have to read about to believe. This is the 2007 Auto Speciali Veleno (also known as the Predator). The design for this unique looking automobile was actually brought to life in the very late 80’s by one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the sport, Wilton Norman Chamberlain, better known as Wilt. The ideal supercar for Chamberlain would of course have to accommodate for someone who is over 7ft tall. Chamberlain reached out to automotive engineer, Peter Bohanna, who was best known for his work in special effects for a number of James Bond films. The bodywork was subsequently created by Bohanna consisting of a steel and aluminum monocoque. For the chassis development, a Formula One constructor from the United Kingdom known as Lyncar was brought into the equation. During this time, this specially commissioned car for NBA star Wilt Chamberlain was known as the ‘Searcher 1’. Lyncar’s founder, Martin Slater, a design engineer for companies such as Lola & McLaren, handled the development of the specially designed chassis. The project was subsequently sent to Richard Paul in California, who was responsible for the construction of the Searcher 1’s V8 engine. Plans were made to have the Searcher 1 be prepared for a limited production run. For a period of time, nothing was ever heard again of the Searcher 1, and sadly, in 1999, Mr. Chamberlain had passed away. In 2006, a Keith Kirk of Fiero Factory and Jonathan Lane Harris revived the Searcher 1, and even renamed the project to the Veleno, and built only a few Toyota MR2 based Veleno examples before the company folded in 2011. Another company by the name of Vindicator cars offered the Veleno for a short period of time after.
How many made? Around 4 completed cars (not including Searcher 1 & Prototypes)
Engine: supercharged Ford V8 - 467 hp at 6,750 RPM
Debut: Stoneleigh 1992
Top Speed: N/A
0-60mph: N/A
Photo Credit: Sergei Yakovlev, Axialflow.com & Auto Speciali
Research: @rarecarsonly