Leno: The Case of the Swiss Road Runner

Switzerland isn’t known for its auto industry, but Monteverdi made a decent business out of selling hybrids—that is, European cars with American engines. YouTube/Jay Leno's Garage

The number of people who started car companies because they had a fight with Enzo Ferrari is hilarious. Obviously, Ferruccio Lamborghini is the one everyone remembers, but there were a lot more companies out there that began either because Ferrari pissed someone off or because someone thought they could do what Ferrari did, but better. One of the cars I have always wanted, but couldn’t afford at the time I was offered one, was the Monteverdi Hai 450 SS. They built only two, with a 426 Hemi in the back seat, a five-speed manual, and a short wheelbase. It was just a crazy car, and though I don’t have a Hai, I do have a Monteverdi High Speed 375S, which is pretty close.

Switzerland is known for chocolate and cheese and banks that don’t ask too many questions. But Peter Monteverdi was a Swiss guy who was born in 1934 and grew up working in his father’s garage as a car-obsessed kid. He then took over his dad’s business and started building his own race cars, including Switzerland’s first Formula 1 car. He also imported cars to sell and eventually became Ferrari’s youngest distributor. However, in 1965, Ferrari suddenly cut him off. The story is that the Old Man was upset that ­Monteverdi was also selling BMWs, Lancias, Rolls-Royces, and Bentleys. Maybe Ferrari just got a better offer, but either way, Monteverdi was out, and he decided to get his revenge by building his own luxury high-speed GTs.

Monteverdi Hai 450 SS badges
YouTube/Jay Leno's Garage

The cars he produced were “hybrids” in the 1960s sense, meaning not gas and electric but European and American. The body and chassis were European, the Italian designer Fissore creating the styling while a 375-hp Chrysler 440 provided the power. This hits a number of buttons for me, because while I love Italian design from that period, I really love being able to buy parts for the engine at any auto parts store. Though I actually haven’t touched the motor in the Monteverdi in 25 years because it’s so simple and durable. All I’ve done is change the oil and throw in a set of plugs.

Of all the Detroit automakers, Chrysler was, to me, the engineering company. I remember as a kid they ran an ad that talked about volumetric efficiency, and I didn’t know what that was so I looked it up. It’s a technical term that refers to how well an engine breathes, and I remember thinking that it was pretty cool that they’re really using the engineer’s language to appeal to a certain type of buyer.

I tell people the Monteverdi is basically a Plymouth Road Runner that went off to college in Europe. Unlike Detroit muscle cars of the era, the Monteverdi has the brakes and handling to match the power from the big American V-8, and with that giant Chrysler air conditioning compressor, you can hang meat in the thing. That’s something else America does better than anyone, heating and air conditioning. Nobody even comes close, especially the British. When I bought the McLaren F1, they said it had air conditioning, but the fellow then said to me, “If you want the good air conditioning, it’s another $25,000.” I said, “What’s good air conditioning?” Well, it added another vent on the side of the car, but even with that, it’s ridiculously weak.

Monteverdi Hai 450 SS side
YouTube/Jay Leno's Garage

My Monteverdi is the London auto show car, and cost $22,000 in 1970 when a Rolls-Royce was $29,500. That included power steering and power windows, both uncommon in exotics back then. The rear brakes are inboard like on a Jaguar XK-E, and the car has disc brakes all the way around. When I bought mine, they were actually going for less money than a Road Runner because nobody knew what they were. But Monteverdi was a really talented guy; he was running a business by the age of 25 and managed to turn a profit building 80 to 100 cars a year. He was ahead of his time in producing two of the world’s first luxury SUVs, the Sahara and Safari, both built on the chassis of an International Scout.

Recently, I put a Tremec five-speed gearbox in my Monteverdi to replace the original four-speed. Only four High Speeds were built with a manual, out of something like 350 cars. Besides smoother shifting, I get an extra gear with the Tremec, which is nice given the price of gas. Of course, I’ll have to drive it for about a thousand years to make up the cost, but at least the miles will be pleasant.

This story first appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join the club to receive our award-winning magazine and enjoy insider access to automotive events, discounts, roadside assistance, and more.

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Comments

    There’s also the unwarranted worship of the wealthy — ironically, often by people who can’t even pay their own bills. They respond to any criticism of the wealthy with an accusation of ‘envy’. In truth, they’re the ones who are the most envious of the rich.

    I don’t know if there’s such a thing as ‘too much money’. I do know that Jay Leno spends his big bucks better than just about anyone. What’s even more impressive — and rare, especially with show biz types — is that his success has seemed to make him an even better person.

    Really, Jay? Cost of gas? Cool car, like a Swiss watch with wheels. Chrysler even made commercial A/C system, and some big ones used Chrysler auto starters for the compressors. Sounded like a Belvedere on the roof.

    Easy guys — Jay was being “tongue in cheek” saying he’d have to drive about a thousand years” to save enough on gas to pay for the Tremec. At least Jay spends his money on something we can all appreciate, unlike some of the wealthy!!!

    To me it has a somewhat British front, Italian rear styling going on for it. It looks cool and ha chrysler V8 power so ot’s a win to me.

    I chased these for a while, but then realized the Jensen Interceptor was a better car for less money, so I enjoyed three different ones. Wish I kept the low mileage original with aftermarket sunroof that I had in the 90’s.

    I love Leno’s frank and entertaining comments. $25,000 for an A/C vent in an F1 – and it still didn’t work. Old man Ferrari pissed everybody off. And, as a mechanical engineer, I really like the site to “volumetric efficiency”.

    The goal is to run out of time (die) just before you run out of money!!! Seriously Jay has had some great luck, but he also is fiscally responsible or wouldn’t be in the position he is in. Look how many “LOTTO winners” end up broke and poor after a few years.

    I sure like the way you write, Jay. You write like I do, so somehow it makes me like a relative – a much poorer one. Jay.

    I love to read Jay Leno’s offerings. They are interesting and soaked in the truth, as a normal “Joe” would react to his info. If any of the USA Major Auto Companies had half a brain, he would be their CEO and Tesla would be an after-thought. With Ford going for $10 a Share on Wall Street, His appointment as CEO would immediately double the Ford Share value. Maybe, all this time, it wasn’t the Entertainment Industry that Jay was born to Star in.

    Jay is a good guy, a real car guy not someone buying cars to impress. A friend of mine had a Excelsior Motorcycle from back when Concours events had ONE winner. You were the best or you were second best. Jay
    came to Missouri to talk with my friend, and they became friends because Jay is the real deal. Cali didn’t ruin him.

    Jay continues to impress me with his wide knowledge of car history. And he writes good articles, to boot! Possible side hustle, Jay??

    Gorgeous car; the tail is 4″-6″ too long IMO but otherwise a work of art. Wish I knew much more about non-American cars when I was younger and branched out beyond American muscle; we knew about TVRs (Griffiths) and Jensens but not much else.

    If the tail were shorter, it would look too much like a Vega hatchback – a good – looking car, but not a $150,000 (prox, in today’s money) car.

    It’s always a pleasure to read Jay’s pieces. He’s a guy with genuine knowledge of his hobby, yet is unpretentious about the wealth it requires. Of course the mileage doesn’t matter to him – but he’s at least aware that it’s an issue for many of us. When someone at a stoplight asked me what mileage my S2000 gets, I told him I didn’t know, and if I had to worry about it, I couldn’t afford my toy. But I do watch the mileage on my Outback, while grateful – as I’m sure Jay is – that it’s not a major issue for me.

    Nice article – nice car. Front end reminds me of a ’58 Packard Hawk without the “bullets”.

    Chrysler has the engineering reputation, but l don’t equate that with total respect because they did do some very curious/dubious things too – through many production years.

    A suggestion for an article would be to look at the engineering prowess of the major (not just big 3) manufacturers in each decade. Some independents would look pretty good too!

    Gas mileage isn’t only about saving money. It is a indicator of proper running and efficiency. Plus that higher gear will just make higher speed driving much more pleasant.

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