Bertone Pirana - British Cat in an Italian Suit
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 11:49PM In researching the history of the Lamborghini Espada, I was surprised to discover that it was not based solely upon the famously outlandish Marzal concept car, which was built on a stretched Miura chassis for the 1967 Geneva Motor Show. In fact, there was another less famous Bertone show car built for the 1967 Earl's Court Motor Show in London, which even more closely presages the Espada. It was constructed by Bertone directly over a Jaguar E-type 4.2 Liter 2+2 chassis provided willingly(!) by Jaguar. I think most observers would agree that Marcello Gandini's design doesn't hold a candle to Malcom Sayer's iconic feline curves, but the result is an fascinating historical footnote that is worth remembering, and puts the Espada into context. Does anyone know where this one-of-a-kind car ended up? I was unable to find any modern photos of the Pirana online.
By the way, don't you love the lightweight Dunlop alloy wheels?
