1969 Monteverdi 375S Coupe
Chassis no. 1003

During the 1960s, American V8 power was seen by many independent European manufacturers as a means of creating a luxury Grand Tourer to compete with the more exotica offerings of long-established firms like Ferrari, Maserati and Aston Martin. AC, Jensen, Facel and Iso among others all went down this route, as did Swiss BMW dealer Peter Monteverdi who used Chrysler engines and transmissions for his sports and GT cars. Launched in 1967, the first of these was the High Speed 375S, a two-seater coupe featuring a body styled by Pietro Frua. The latter built the first bodies before production switched to Carrozzeria Fissore in 1969.

Monteverdi's tubular spaceframe chassis employed double-wishbone independent front suspension and a De Dion rear axle, and customers could choose between 7.0-litre (375bhp) and 7.2-litre (450bhp) 'Hemi' V8s, either of which was good for 150mph-plus performance. Interior appointments were first class and the whole car possessed an aura of opulence. Production of Monteverdi's hand built and supremely well equipped cars continued in strictly limited numbers until the mid-1970s, when the energy crisis and US Federal auto legislation effectively killed the Monteverdi sports car. By the time production ceased, only 16 examples of the High Speed 375S had been completed: ten bodied by Frua and six by Fissore.

The 7.2-litre High Speed 375S model equipped with automatic transmission, chassis number '1003' was delivered on 2nd June 1969 to the official importer Anselmo (Royal Simca Inc) of Washington DC, USA. The car was originally yellow with a black leather interior. Before then (in March '69) it had been displayed on the Monteverdi stand at the 39th Salon de l'Automobile in Geneva, and following its arrival in the USA in April '69 had been exhibited at the 13th New York International Auto Show.

The first owner was one R Low of New York, followed by George Davenport, also of New York. On 1st April 1972 the car was sold to another owner, believed to be Jim Craig of Zeneth Wire Wheels in Campbell California. In 1989 the car was purchased by Ron Ciardella. The next known owner was Aston Marshall of San Diego, California in 1992. The body and paintwork were then restored and the car refinished in metallic blue. Mr Bruce D Milner of Los Angeles, California was the next owner, and while the car was in his possession the engine bay and under-body were restored (in 2003). The Monteverdi was exhibited at the 17th Concorso Italiano at the Black Horse Golf Club, Seaside, California in August 2003.

On 4th January 2005 the car passed to Mr John Ring of Brickfield, Wisconsin and was treated to further restoration: fresh dark blue paintwork, chrome re-plated, interior re-trimmed, new silencers and tyres, etc. The next owner, from 12th August 2006, was none other than James Douglas Muir Leno, better known as Jay Leno, the celebrated American broadcaster and car collector. In February 2008, '1003' was offered for sale by Family Automotive Group of San Juan Capistrano, California, USA.

Accompanying documentation is limited to a copy of a middle east registration document dated 2012, which is when it is believed the car was acquired by the current owner. On static display since acquisition, this rare and exciting 1960s supercar will require re-commissioning before returning to the road.

Please note that this vehicle is not offered with any original registration documents, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.

Please note that if this vehicle is to be imported into Switzerland, Swiss Customs charges (Duty, Car Tax and VAT) will apply at roughly 12.5% of the Purchase Price. Included in this is the Swiss Duty which is calculated on the weight of the vehicle and shall be CHF 15 per 100 kg. Also included is Swiss Car Tax at 4% and this is calculated on the total Purchase Price (Hammer + Buyers Premium). Swiss VAT will then be applicable on the aggregated amount of the Hammer Price, Buyer's Premium, Swiss Duty and Swiss Car Tax at a rate of 7.7%.
Please note that customs rates to other countries shall vary. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.