The Monteverdi Hai 450 SS is a mid-engined prototype sports car built by Monteverdi to complement the company's High Speed line. It was intended to be a direct competitor to high end sports cars from Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati.
History
A magenta Hai 450 SS prototype debuted at the 1970 Geneva Auto Show. It had a 6974 cc V8 from Chrysler positioned behind the two seats. Its name combined the German word for "shark" (Hai) and the rated output of the engine.
A second car was built with a longer wheelbase and minor detail changes like door handles and red bodywork. This car was named the Hai 450 GTS to mark the changes.
Monteverdi initially planned to produce 49 copies, but production was halted after the two prototypes. Only one car was actually sold, although in a 1974 interview Peter Monteverdi claimed to have delivered eleven of the cars.[1]