This car shown here is the result of what happens when you combine one of the most famous coachbuilding companies in the world, Gruppo Bertone, with one of the world’s most well-known British multinational car manufacturers, Jaguar. Take a look at the 1967 Jaguar Pirana by Bertone (1E 50950), a unique Marcello Gandini-designed one-off with promising attributes. This sleek grand tourer was constructed on the chassis of a 4.2L Jaguar E-type, and the entire project was completed mostly by Nuccio Bertone, who is the son of the founder of the company, Giovanni Bertone, alongside chief designer, Marcello Gandini. Starting in May of 1967, in just 5 months total, the Pirana was to be prepped and ready in time for the 1967 Earl’s Court Motor Show. Bertone wanted the car to have the look of ‘controlled speed’, and they most definitely garnered some influence from the Gandini-designed Lamborghini Espada, which was revealed only one year later in 1968 boasting very similar styling. Something extremely interesting about this car is the fact that although there is badging located on the vehicle that reads ‘Piranha’, the car’s official name is actually ‘Pirana’, which was reportedly an aesthetic choice. The entire project was commissioned by national British daily broadsheet newspaper, ‘The Daily Telegraph’ and was intended to represent the ‘ideal car’. Before the project, Bertone reached out to Sir William Lyons, also known as ‘Mr. Jaguar’ who is credited for being the co-founder in 1922 of the Swallow Sidecar Company, which later became Jaguar Cars, where they inquired to purchase a Jaguar chassis and engine, Lyons of course agreed. The Pirana began it’s life with a manual transmission, but was later modified to have both a 2+2 seat arrangement and an automatic transmission. The color was also changed from silver to green. These changes were later restored to original, and in 2019, the Pirana was auctioned off by @rmsothebys for $324,000.
How many made? 1 of 1
Engine: 4.2 L XK I6 - 265hp
Debut: 1967 Earl’s Court Motor Show
Top Speed: 146mph
0-60: 7.1 Seconds
Photo Credit: @eanofoto
Research: @rarecarsonly