Pegaso Z-403
Encyclopedia
The Pegaso
Z-403 Monocasco, was a two-level monocoque
(chassisless) coach
, fitted with a 125-hp diesel engine
asymmetrically mounted amidships, and built in Spain by Enasa
between 1951 and 1957.
First Z-403 body design date back to 1949. It brought notable contributions to the passenger service for its safety and comfort and was considered an «auto-pullman
» by virtue of its great comfort and its amenities. In the standard version it was equipped with radio, bar and a small bookcase.
The Z-403 featured a single chasisless structure which allowed a better use of space, with all the mechanical units located in the underside of the vehicle, isolated from the passenger compartment.
Its split-level deck greatly improved the passengers' view and allowed for considerable luggage space. Its concept answered to the creation of a vehicle with a total length of ten metres, capable of transporting 30 to 45 seated persons depending on the comfort desired, and with good visibility. To ensure the greatest comfort independent front-wheel suspension was used consisting of transversal arms and torsion bars.
The high resistance to flexion and torsion of the single-structure was ensured by the elements which made up the monocoque: the exterior covering of light, easily changeable metal panels. The ceiling and even the ornamental band under the windows were also structurally important parts. The body was made up of steel profiles covered laterally with one-millimetre thick steel sheets combined with 1.5 mm thick corrugated sheets of light alloy. The roof was made entirely of light alloy.
The Pegaso Diesel engine with 125 HP was mounted in the central part of the vehicle, in the space under the half top deck, so guaranteeing a good distribution of weight and high stability. Also offered was the possibility of a petrol version of 145 HP; this, however, never got past the prototype stage, due to its high fuel consumption.
The Z-403 was developed and produced in the Pegaso plant in Barcelona, and it is believed that a total of around 50 units were sold. Main customers were Iberia
and Aviaco
airlines and Atesa tour operator.
's Mr. Arkadin
, a pair of Pegaso Z-403 coaches appear prominently close to an aircraft in an aeroport (actually, Madrid Barajas airport, the coaches belonging to Iberia airlines
).
Pegaso
Pegaso was a Spanish make of trucks, omnibuses, tractors, armored vehicles, and, for a while, sports cars. The parent company, Enasa, was created in 1946 and based in the old Hispano-Suiza factory, under the direction of the renowned automotive engineer Wifredo Ricart...
Z-403 Monocasco, was a two-level 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...
(chassisless) coach
Coach (vehicle)
A coach is a large motor vehicle, a type of bus, used for conveying passengers on excursions and on longer distance express coach scheduled transport between cities - or even between countries...
, fitted with a 125-hp diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
asymmetrically mounted amidships, and built in Spain by Enasa
Enasa
ENASA was a Spanish vehicle manufacturing company, incorporated in 1946 having bought the automotive assets of the Spanish arm of Hispano-Suiza. It produced trucks, buses and military armored vehicles under the Pegaso and, for a short while, Sava brands. Enasa belonged to the state-owned INI...
between 1951 and 1957.
First Z-403 body design date back to 1949. It brought notable contributions to the passenger service for its safety and comfort and was considered an «auto-pullman
Pullman (car or coach)
In the United States, Pullman was used to refer to railroad sleeping cars which were built and operated on most U.S. railroads by the Pullman Company from 1867 to December 31, 1968....
» by virtue of its great comfort and its amenities. In the standard version it was equipped with radio, bar and a small bookcase.
The Z-403 featured a single chasisless structure which allowed a better use of space, with all the mechanical units located in the underside of the vehicle, isolated from the passenger compartment.
Its split-level deck greatly improved the passengers' view and allowed for considerable luggage space. Its concept answered to the creation of a vehicle with a total length of ten metres, capable of transporting 30 to 45 seated persons depending on the comfort desired, and with good visibility. To ensure the greatest comfort independent front-wheel suspension was used consisting of transversal arms and torsion bars.
The high resistance to flexion and torsion of the single-structure was ensured by the elements which made up the monocoque: the exterior covering of light, easily changeable metal panels. The ceiling and even the ornamental band under the windows were also structurally important parts. The body was made up of steel profiles covered laterally with one-millimetre thick steel sheets combined with 1.5 mm thick corrugated sheets of light alloy. The roof was made entirely of light alloy.
The Pegaso Diesel engine with 125 HP was mounted in the central part of the vehicle, in the space under the half top deck, so guaranteeing a good distribution of weight and high stability. Also offered was the possibility of a petrol version of 145 HP; this, however, never got past the prototype stage, due to its high fuel consumption.
The Z-403 was developed and produced in the Pegaso plant in Barcelona, and it is believed that a total of around 50 units were sold. Main customers were Iberia
Iberia Airlines
Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España, S.A., commonly known as Iberia, is the flag carrier airline of Spain. Based in Madrid, it operates an international network of services from its main bases of Madrid-Barajas Airport and Barcelona El Prat Airport....
and Aviaco
Aviaco
Aviación y Comercio, S.A., was a Spanish airline incorporated on February 18, 1948. It was founded when the National Institute of Industry proposed that the national carrier of Spain, Iberia, could not meet the domestic demand. This had been caused by the heavy commitment of Iberia to the lucrative...
airlines and Atesa tour operator.
Film appearance
In the final scene of Orson WellesOrson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
's Mr. Arkadin
Mr. Arkadin
Mr. Arkadin is a French-Spanish-Swiss coproduction film, written and directed by Orson Welles and shot in several Spanish locations, including Segovia, Valladolid and Madrid.Its history is convoluted...
, a pair of Pegaso Z-403 coaches appear prominently close to an aircraft in an aeroport (actually, Madrid Barajas airport, the coaches belonging to Iberia airlines
Iberia Airlines
Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España, S.A., commonly known as Iberia, is the flag carrier airline of Spain. Based in Madrid, it operates an international network of services from its main bases of Madrid-Barajas Airport and Barcelona El Prat Airport....
).