Bertone Pirana Features, Photos and Videos

The Bertone Pirana (or Jaguar Pirana) (not "Piranha" as some sources have it, although the badge on the rear of the car reads Piranha. The spelling was reportedly an aesthetic choice) is a concept car created by Bertone for the 1967 London Motor Show at Earl's Court. The sleek GT car is based on the chassis and powertrain of the 4.2 litre Jaguar E-type with a unique steel semi-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 by the Daily Telegraph, a leading British daily newspaper, as an example of an "ideal car." Sir William Lyons was contacted beforehand about the project and agreed to sell Bertone the Jaguar engine and chassis. The car was originally registered "TGF 1F". After a successful showing at the London Motor show, the Pirana was subsequently exhibited at the New York City 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.The car was later converted to a 2+2 seater arrangement and the transmission changed from manual to automatic. The space for the plus 2 seats being made by moving the air conditioning unit to the rear luggage space.

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