Bertone Pirana
Encyclopedia
The Bertone Pirana was a concept car
created by Bertone for the 1967 London Motor Show at Earl's Court. The sleek 2+2 GT
car was based on the chassis
and powertrain
of the 4.2 litre Jaguar E-type
but was re-bodied with a unique steel monocoque
body and luxurious interior. The Pirana was designed by Marcello Gandini
, perhaps best known for styling the Lamborghini Countach
. Unusually for a show car, the Pirana was commissioned as a publicity stunt by the Daily Telegraph, a leading British
daily newspaper, as an example of an "ideal car." After a successful showing at the London Motor show, the Pirana was subsequently exhibited at the New York
car show and then at the British Motor Show in Montreal
.
Some commentators credit the Pirana with inspiring the Lamborghini Espada
which Bertone produced a year later.
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
created by Bertone for the 1967 London Motor Show at Earl's Court. The sleek 2+2 GT
Grand tourer
A grand tourer is a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving. The most common format is a two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement....
car was based on the chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
and powertrain
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
of the 4.2 litre Jaguar E-type
Jaguar E-type
The Jaguar E-Type or XK-E is a British automobile, manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 and 1975. Its combination of good looks, high performance, and competitive pricing established the marque as an icon of 1960s motoring...
but was re-bodied with a unique steel monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
body and luxurious interior. The Pirana was designed by Marcello Gandini
Marcello Gandini
Marcello Gandini is an Italian car designer, widely known for his work with the automotive design house Gruppo Bertone, notably his design of the Lamborghini Countach. Together with Giorgetto Giugiaro and Leonardo Fioravanti, Gandini forms a noted triumvirate of Italian car designers, all born in...
, perhaps best known for styling the Lamborghini Countach
Lamborghini Countach
The Lamborghini Countach is a mid-engined supercar that was produced by Italian automaker Lamborghini from 1974 to 1990. Its design both pioneered and popularized the wedge-shaped, sharply angled look popular in many high performance sports cars...
. Unusually for a show car, the Pirana was commissioned as a publicity stunt by the Daily Telegraph, a leading British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
daily newspaper, as an example of an "ideal car." After a successful showing at the London Motor show, the Pirana was subsequently exhibited at the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
car show and then at the British Motor Show in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
.
Some commentators credit the Pirana with inspiring the Lamborghini Espada
Lamborghini Espada
The Lamborghini Espada is a grand tourer which was built by Italian car manufacturer Lamborghini between 1968 and 1978.Based on the Marzal show car, displayed at the 1967 Geneva Auto Show, and the Bertone Pirana, a radically rebodied Jaguar E-type, it was to fill the spot of a true four seat car in...
which Bertone produced a year later.