Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
The Jaguar Pirana was built as the ultimate grand touring machine. It was the idea of the motoring staff at The Daily Telegraph, with Editor John Anstey commissioning his team to dream big. It was to be infused with the latest technology and safety, and the only restriction was that this dream had to be obtainable. Another restriction were that the components were to be sourced from parts available to the public or would be in the near future. IN the end, they achieved this task except for one part - the body. However, a quick exchange with Nuccio Bertone resulted in a bespoke design to cover the dream car.
The motor and frame came from Sir William Lyons. The wheelbase was from a 2+2 E-Type, and Dunlop provided the competition wheels. Power was from a Jaguar sourced 4.2-liter engine.
By May of 1967, the first lump of clay had been sculpted. Bertone and his chief stylist, Marcello Gandini, had been tasked with creating the styling for this project. This small model was followed by a wooden buck design to a finished car in a mere five months. The Bertone-Jaguar Pirana was ready in time for its debut at the 1967 Earls Court Motor Show. Later it went to Turin, Montreal, and then to New York.
The hybrid vehicle had an Italian design with Briths engineering. Smiths provided a special air-conditioning system that supplied cold air through an overhead console. They also provided the AM/FM radio that worked in conjunction with a cassette tape player in the center console. The glass was Triplex with a heat-absorbing tint, safety lamination, and specially integrated defroster in the front and rear. The perforated leather was from Connolly.
The car was first sold into public hands at the Parke-Bernet Sotheby's auction in May 1968. It went into United States ownership and remained out of the public eye for the next few decades. The current caretaker acquired it in 2011. By this point in history, the car had received many modifications. A decision was soon made to return it to its original Earls Court appearance. Items that could be preserved were - others were restored - and others were recreated. The silver paint, original to the car, and that graced many of Bertone's vehicles was re-created using samples found underneath body panels.
This example remains the only example ever built.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2019
The motor and frame came from Sir William Lyons. The wheelbase was from a 2+2 E-Type, and Dunlop provided the competition wheels. Power was from a Jaguar sourced 4.2-liter engine.
By May of 1967, the first lump of clay had been sculpted. Bertone and his chief stylist, Marcello Gandini, had been tasked with creating the styling for this project. This small model was followed by a wooden buck design to a finished car in a mere five months. The Bertone-Jaguar Pirana was ready in time for its debut at the 1967 Earls Court Motor Show. Later it went to Turin, Montreal, and then to New York.
The hybrid vehicle had an Italian design with Briths engineering. Smiths provided a special air-conditioning system that supplied cold air through an overhead console. They also provided the AM/FM radio that worked in conjunction with a cassette tape player in the center console. The glass was Triplex with a heat-absorbing tint, safety lamination, and specially integrated defroster in the front and rear. The perforated leather was from Connolly.
The car was first sold into public hands at the Parke-Bernet Sotheby's auction in May 1968. It went into United States ownership and remained out of the public eye for the next few decades. The current caretaker acquired it in 2011. By this point in history, the car had received many modifications. A decision was soon made to return it to its original Earls Court appearance. Items that could be preserved were - others were restored - and others were recreated. The silver paint, original to the car, and that graced many of Bertone's vehicles was re-created using samples found underneath body panels.
This example remains the only example ever built.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2019
2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $400,000-USD $600,000
Sale Price :
USD $324,000
Recent Sales of the Jaguar Pirana
(Data based on Model Year 1967 sales)
1967 Jaguar Pirana by Bertone Chassis#: 1E 50950 Sold for USD$324,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey |
Jaguar Piranas That Failed To Sell At Auction
1967 Jaguar Pirana's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $324,000 range.
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series Chassis#:WDBSK79F49F154304 Sold for $325,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1996 Ferrari F512M Chassis#:ZFFVA40B000102984 Sold for $324,867 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Chassis#:WP0ZZZ99ZKS170803 Sold for $322,947 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
2014 Ferrari FF Chassis#:ZFF73SKA6E0196753 Sold for $324,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1967 Iso Grifo GL Series I by Bertone Chassis#:GL720134 Sold for $324,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:194375S111524 Sold for $324,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1967 FORD SHELBY GT500 Chassis#:67401F9A02528 Sold for $324,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe Chassis#:30837s120846 Sold for $324,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Chassis#:WP0AC29948S792288 Sold for $324,000 2023 RM Sothebys : The White Collection | |
1932 PACKARD TWIN SIX 905 COUPE ROADSTER Chassis#:900402 Sold for $324,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1958 Porsche 356A T2 1600 Speedster Chassis#:83818 Sold for $324,000 2023 Bonhams : Quail | |
1996 Ferrari F512 M Chassis#:ZFFVA40B000103905 Sold for $321,901 2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | |
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback Chassis#:9f02z172964 Sold for $324,500 2023 Mecum : Houston | |
1907 WHITE MODEL G 'ROI DES BELGES' TOURING Chassis#:5142 Sold for $324,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Estate of Mark Smith Auction | |
1988 PORSCHE 930 Chassis#:WP0ZZZ93ZJS000309 Sold for $324,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
1966 Shelby GT350 Fastback Sold for $324,500 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe Sold for $321,750 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT Coupé Chassis#:02492 Sold for $322,949 2022 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale | |
1995 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Clubsport Chassis#:WP0ZZZ99ZSS390129 Sold for $324,000 2022 RM Sothebys : The Youngtimer Collection - Miami | |
2022 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye ExoMod C68 Carbon Sold for $324,500 2022 Mecum : Las Vegas |
1967 Jaguar Pirana
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery