1954 Pegaso Z102B

The Spanish-based company Pegaso, named after the mythical winged horse, introduced its first automobile at the 1951 Paris salon. This was Spain's first new car of the postwar era, and the Z-102 was essentially a racing car adapted for road use. In the engine bay lay an eight-cylinder powerplant that was initially 2.5 liters in size but eventually grew to 4.7 liters. Its top speed was in the neighborhood of around 140 to 150 mph, which made it the fastest production car at the time. By the time production of the Z-102 ceased in 1958, a total of 84 examples had been built. Along with factory coachwork (ENASA), the Z-102 was bodied by Touring, Saoutchik and Serra.

Pegaso

Pegaso and its parent company, Enasa (Empresa Nacional de Autocamiones S.A.), were created in 1946 and used the old Hispano-Suiza factory to produce buses, tractors, trucks, and armored vehicles. Automobile production was added in the early 1950s. Wifredo Ricart, the ex-Alfa Romeo engineer who was responsible for the mid-engined Alfa Romeo Tipo 512 Grand Prix race car, was tasked with leading the new Spanish group.

Enasa was a state-owned company, and throughout its existence (through the 1990s), it had factories located in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valladolid.

The Pegaso Z-102

The Pegaso Z-102 began its existence as a pair of prototypes in 1951 in coupe and drophead body styles, and powered by a four-cam V8 engine. Their steel bodies were determined to be too heavy, so later-built coachwork was formed from lightweight alloy.

Pegaso Z-102 Mechanical Specification

The front-mounted, longitudinal V8 engine had an alloy block and cylinder heads, dry-sump lubrication, a 2,816cc displacement, and a bore of 80 mm and stroke of 70 mm. With 8.8:1 compression, dual overhead camshafts, and four Weber 36 DCF3 carburetors, it produced 170 horsepower at 6,300 RPM and 160 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 RPM. The five-speed manual non-synchromesh gearbox with gear-driven camshafts powered the rear wheels and used a final drive ratio of 4.18:1 to 5.2:1.

Later models received a 2.8-liter or a 3.2-liter DOHC desmodromic 32-valve V8 engine with multiple carburetors or an optional supercharger.

The Pegaso Z-102 had a 2,340mm wheelbase with an overall length of 4,100mm, a front track of 1,320mm, and a rear track size of 1,290mm. The multi-tubular frame carried the aluminum and steel coachwork and, depending on the body, weighed approximately 2,200 lbs. The steering was via a rack and pinion system, and braking was by drums. The suspension used a multi-link and torsion bar setup at the front and a de Dion axle at the rear.

Pegaso Z-102 Performance

The Pegaso Z-102 had a top speed of 120 mph in naturally aspirated configuration and upwards of 150 mph with the help of a supercharger.

Pegaso Z-102 Production and Coachwork

Pegaso created around 84 automobiles between 1951 to 1958. The company claimed as many as 300 were built, and some estimates put the actual figure at around 71. Touring bodied a total of 40 Pegasos, and Saoutchik bodied 18, two fewer than the factory itself. Spanish designer Pedro Serra bodied five cars.

Most Pegaso Z-102s were bodied as fixed roof coupes, with 28 being clothed as cabriolets. Most examples were bodied by Carrozzeria Touring to a design initially penned by Ricart. French coachbuilder Saoutchik created 18 bodies for the Z-102, including three convertibles. The factory in-house coachbuilder Enasa created a version called the 'Cupola' which was based on design sketches created by Spanish students. Two examples of the Cupola were known to have been built with one being acquired by Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. The sole surviving Cupola is currently owned by the Louwman Museum.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet by Saoutchik
Chassis number: 0102-153-0136
Engine number: 0102-017-0136

Were it not for companies like Hispano-Suiza, one would be rather hard-pressed to come up with another luxurious automaker from Spain. However, with the help of former Alfa Romeo designer Wilfredo Ricart, one Spanish automaker would actually rise to the top when it came to building the fastest road cars of the 1950s—Pegaso.

Ricart would become the head of Alfa Corse, the racing department of Alfa Romeo. Enzo Ferrari was already there and the two began what was rumored to be a rather contentious partnership. Ultimately, Ferrari would leave and Ricart would be all alone. This was something Ricart had become used to since having to flee his native Spain when civil war broke out in the 1930s.

Following World War II, there would be peace in Spain and this would allow Ricart to return. He would return to Spain with the notion of designing and building a Spanish sportscar that was as good, or better, than any other being produced at the time. This notion would be something in which the government of Spain would be interested.

Ricart had already joined ENASA, but the firm was hardly known for developing sporty coupes. In fact, all Empresa Nacional de Autocamiones SA was really known for was developing and building buses and trucks. However, the government would be supportive of Ricart's idea and would enable him to set up shop in the old Hispano-Suiza factory to build his new line of sportscars named after the mythical Greek creature Pegasus, and so, Pegaso was born.

Throughout his time with Alfa Romeo, Ricart would produce a number of concept vehicles that would never go into production. One of the most famous designs to never see realization, however, would prove his prowess, especially when it came to engine design and utilization.

Ricart set to work creating his first design for the new company. Known as the Z102, Ricart would pour every bit of his knowledge into the car's chassis and design and the result would be rather staggering. With the gearbox and final drive mounted together, the car was much more stable in its handling. The extremely short-wheelbase, suspension arrangement, and massive drum brakes would all go to create a chassis that had amazing potential. However, the coach designers at ENASA showed their limits as sportscar designers as the car's reception at the 1951 Paris Auto Salon would be less than enthusiastic.

All of the Pegaso Z102, every single component, would be race-inspired and built in-house, to have such an uninspiring body resting on top of the innovative chassis was certainly doing the mythical name harm instead of fostering pride.

To take care of the aesthetics of the Z102, Ricart would turn to talented individuals such as Carrozzeria Touring, Serra, and Saoutchik to fashion much more fashionable bodies for the highly-capable chassis.

In addition to adding to the look of the car, these talented coachbuilders also worked hard to reduce weight. The reduction in weight combined with 2.8 and 3.2-liter variants of the four-cam V-8 engine meant the new, intriguing designs would be capable of top speeds higher than the latest Ferraris.

Ricart desperately wanted to enter the Pegaso name among the ranks of the automotive elite. As a result, no expense would be spared. Ricart would succeed in combining luxury and performance. However, the costs involved in achieving the goal would be such that Pegaso would find itself in financial trouble within just a couple of years. This would lead to the Z-102 being discontinued after 1958. Unfortunately for Ricart, the return on investment would be deemed too little, and, by the 1960s the Pegaso name was being applied to new lines of buses and trucks. The name would carry on until being taken over by Iveco.

The 2013 RM Auctions event at Amelia Island would feature a Series II Z-102 boasting a Saoutchik Cabriolet body. Chassis 3-0136 would be a very special Z-102 indeed. By 1958, just 84 units of the Z-102 would be produced. So, each and every one of the cars would certainly be special in its own right. However, Saoutchik would only build a total of 18 bodies for Pegaso. Of those 18, just a total of 8 would be Series II with their much more sedated lines and revised nose. But, 3-0136 would be even more distinguished.

Saoutchik may have produced a total of 8 Series II Z-102, however, just one would be a cabriolet. And this would be it. Actually, there would be a total of three cabriolets built by the coachmaker. One would be considered a prototype. The other two, however, would be Series I. Therefore, 3-0136 would be a remarkable piece of Pegaso history.

Pegaso and Saoutchik would realize this right away. In April of 1954, this car would be on display at the San Remo Concours d'Elegance in a blue finish and would be driven by Saoutchik's son, Pierre. This was the last convertible Saoutchik would build of the Z-102 and it would be quickly snatched up.

Amazingly, by 1958, its owner would grow tired of the cabriolet and would determine to have the car converted to a Berlinetta. Changed from its original design, the car would remain in Spain for the majority of its life. Then, in the early-1990s, its owner at the time would determine to have the car restored to its original configuration. This was decided upon because of the car's special place in Pegaso's history.

Finished in a gorgeous metallic blue, the Pegaso Series II Cabriolet would come to its current owner in 2004. This would be a love story 50 years in the making as the owner had wanted a Pegaso since seeing one for the first time all the way back in 1954.

Despite having been on display at the Petersen Museum, the car has been used by its owner quite regularly and has taken part in a number of concours events. A lovely testament to Ricart and Spain's place in supercar history, the Pegaso Z-102 Series II Cabriolet is a prize highly deserving of a place of prominence in any collection and in post-World War II automotive history.

Prior to the auction, the 1954 Pegaso Z-102 Series II Cabriolet was drawing estimates ranging from between $1,250,000 and $1,750,000. Unfortunately, during the auction, a high bid of just $700,000 would be received, and so, the car did not sell.

Sources:

'Lot No. 176: 1954 Pegaso Z-102 Series II Series Cabriolet by Saoutchik', (http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1057741). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1057741. Retrieved 11 March 2013.

'Pegaso Z102 B 3.2 Touring Berlinetta', (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/1234/Pegaso-Z102-B-3.2-Touring-Berlinetta.html). Ultimatecarpage.com: Powered by Knowledge, Driven by Passion. http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/1234/Pegaso-Z102-B-3.2-Touring-Berlinetta.html. Retrieved 11 March 2013.

Wikipedia contributors, 'Pegaso', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 8 March 2013, 19:05 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pegaso&oldid=542873761 accessed 11 March 2013

by Jeremy McMullen

Coupe by Saoutchik
Chassis number: 0102-150 0161
Engine number: 0102.017.0161

Named after Pegasus, the mythical winged horse, the striking Spanish-built Pegaso sports car emerged at the 1951 Paris Salon, powered by a four-cam V8 engine. The Pegaso Company was created by the Spanish government after the Second World War. Production took place in the former Hispano Suiza factory in Barcelona. The innovative design was by Wilfredo Ricart who had worked for Alfa Romeo building high-performance engines. Production started with a 2.5-liter engine, which grew to 4.7-liters. For a while, Pegaso qualified as the world's fastest production car, capable of reaching 150 mph. Production ceased in 1958 by which time around 125 or so cars had left the factory.

This sporting Berlinetta carries coachwork from the famous Parisian Carrossier Saoutchik. Saoutchik bodied seven Z-102 Berlinettas, and each one is slightly different. It is one of seven second-series Berlinettas produced on the Z-102 chassis by coachbuilder Saoutchik. All examples featured a low roofline, dramatic styling, and curved fenders.

Pegaso produced a total of 83 cars and the majority were bodied out of house: Carrozzeria Touring bodied a total of 40 cars, and Saoutchik bodied 18 - just two fewer than the factory itself. Spanish designer Pedro Serra also bodied five cars.

This example was delivered in right-hand drive configuration, though the chassis was numbered 150, indicating a left-hand-drive model. It came equipped with the twin-ignition cylinder head.

The original owner of this car may have been Don Pedro Domecq de la Riva. Years later, it was exported to the United States. It was acquired in 1983 by Frans Pelzer of Maastricht, the Netherlands. At the time, the car was in solid original condition with around 95 percent used in the restoration. The only major component changed was the gearbox, replaced with a correct unit from another Pegaso.

The restoration was nearly complete when it was sold to a new owner in the United States in the summer of 2005, and the work was completed stateside. With the work complete, it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours where it was judged 2nd in Class.

While in the care of Lorenzo Zambrano, the Pegaso was shown at the Amelia Island Concours where it won an Amelia Award. It was also shown at the 2008 and 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, placing Second in Class on the first occasion.

Berlinetta by Touring
Chassis number: 0102.150.0150

This Pegaso is fitted with coachwork by Touring and has period sporting history, nobility ownership, preservation, and long-term ownership fitting of the 'Spanish Ferrari' nickname. It is one of a series of six similar but not identical cars bodied by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan - although the overall visual impact and many trim details still project an exuberant Spanish flair. It has a 2.8-liter engine with four twin carburetors.

This Pegaso's first owner was the second Count de Caralt of Spain (Jose Maria de Caralt y Borrell) who was a popular and accomplished sportsman who raced it extensively and successfully in 1954 and 1955. His most prominent finishes were 2nd in class and 4th overall at Climb to Alto de Los Leones. He was also 2nd in class and 3rd overall at Grand Prix National Sport at Barajas.

Thereafter, the car passed through several hands, sometimes changing livery, but it continued to be well cared for and was often shown and shared with others at collector car events. It was the subject of an article in Motor Clasico in 1986 and participated in a special exhibit at the Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona in 2001. The current owner took possession of this Z-102 in 2015, and it was recently restored and returned to its original livery, painted gray and upholstered in blue.

Coupe by Saoutchik
Chassis number: 0102150*0148
Engine number: 0102*017*0148

Spanish engineer Wifredo Ricart designed his own Ricart-Pérez and Ricart-España branded cars in the 1920s, moving to Alfa Rome in 1936, where he was responsible for the Tipo 512 Grand Prix car. He also worked alongside Enzo Ferrari, another future marque founder.

Ricart established Pegaso in 1946 as a marker of highly exclusive, advanced sport cars. It was a state-owned sports car company designed to 'attract and train a highly qualified workforce for ENASA (Empresa Nacional de Autocamiones, S.A.)' – a Spanish manufacturer of trucks and buses of which Ricart was appointed Managing Director and Head of Engineering Projects following the war. Pegaso's logo was the Flying Horse, perhaps to better the Italian Ferrari Prancing Horse logo. No expense was spared in designing and building the pre-production Pegaso Z-102 entirely in-house at the old Hispano-Suiza factory in La Sagrera, near Barcelona. The all-aluminum, 2.5-liter V8 engine was given hemispherical combustion chambers, twin overhead camshafts, and dry-sump lubrication. It was paired to a five-speed transmission that was positioned behind the differential in an advanced reverse transaxle configuration. The suspension was comprised of a double-wishbone independent setup at the front and a rear de Dion axle. There were inboard drums at the back.

The initial Z-102 prototypes wore steel coachwork designed by Pegaso, including the car that debuted at the 1951 Paris Motor Show. Later production examples were clothed by Saoutchik of Paris, Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, and Serra of Barcelona.

Coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik offered the Z-102 in closed and open configurations, eventually bodying 18 of the 83 Z-102 chassis produced. Of these, seven examples were Series II Berlinettas, six of which were left-hand drive. This particular example, chassis number 0148, is believed to be the first Saoutchik Series II Berlinetta produced, and one of two examples chosen to be on display on the Pegaso stand in October 1954 at that year's Paris Motor Show. It was initially registered as 'M-138.223' under the ownership of Madrid resident Don Julian Sanchez Araguena in February 1956, passing to two subsequent Spanish owners before entering the care of Garland W. Burke, a United States Air Force pilot stationed in Madrid.

During Mr. Burke's ownership, the Pegaso resided largely in storage in the United States. In 1989, it was sold to Arthur L. Foley III, who gave the Pegaso an extensive restoration executed by Phil Reilly & Company which included a complete engine rebuild by European specialists. Upon completion, the Pegaso was shown at the 1994 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and also participated in the Colorado Grand under Mr. Foley's stewardship.

It was later sold to Jim Patterson, who treated it to a second, comprehensive restoration to concours standards by RM Auto Restoration. The work included rebuilding the five-speed transaxle, refinishing the exterior in a period two-tone Pearl White accentuated with a Grey Metallic roof, retrimming the interior with new grey leather hides, and refurbishing the original Podiomatic radio and Bosch heater. Mechanical components such as the suspension and brakes underwent careful disassembly, adjustment, and refurbishment.

This Pegaso is powered by a numbers-matching 2.8-liter, quad-cam V8 engine breathing through a dual four-barrel Weber carburetor paired with an 8.1:1 compression ratio.

The freshly restored car was shown at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and associated Tour d'Elegance, and at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, where it received an Amelia Award in the Pegaso feature class.

This Pegaso has been owned by its current caretakers since 2016. It was shown at the Arizona Concours and won best-in-class accolades and runner-up to Best of Show at the Keels & Wheels Concours in Houston. It returned to Pebble Beach in 2023 and featured in a Pegaso class, winning an award ribbon for 'Most Elegant Road Car.'

by Dan Vaughan

Berlinetta by Touring
Chassis number: 0102-153-0154
Engine number: 0102-017-0154

This Pegaso Z102B/3.2 (3.2-liter engine) was displayed at the Turin Auto Show in 1954. Production was between the first and second Touring Berlinetta series and is one of two with turn indicators set into the fenders. The first owner was Francisco Godia Sales of Barcelona. The car was entered in various hill climbs, rallies and races in Spain, recording two overall wins, two seconds, and two thirds, with additional class successes. (Among the accolades achieved by Godia during 1954 and 1955 include third overall in the Copa Montjuich Sport, second overall in the Rabassada hillclimb, and a win at the Rally Automovilista Tarragona in 1955.) Godia had the exhausts changed to run beneath the car and had extra fender outlets installed along with other changes.

Factory driver Joaquin Palacio also used this car to win the Galapagar hill climb in 1955. Future owner Julian Celaya of Madrid also raced the Pegaso, placing fourth in the 1956 Galapagar hillclimb and fourth in class at Madrid in 1957.

This Pegaso Z-102 is one of two examples with fender-inset turn signals; its exhausts were changed to an underbody configuration, extra fender heat outlets were installed, and Series II brakes were fitted. Godia sometimes made other temporary changes for competition purposes, including having a supercharger fitted for one event.

The car is equipped with a 3.2-liter engine with two 4-barrel carburetors. The car has been in the current and fifth owner's care since 1968.

Berlinetta by Touring

This Z-102 is one of only 93 Pegaso vehicles built in the early 1950s. Only two cars were bodied by Touring and originally fitted with the 'compressor engine.' This car is fitted with all the competition specifications. The car is powered by a 3.2-liter 8-cylinder engine developing 178 horsepower.

Coupe by Saoutchik
Chassis number: *0102*150*0146*
Engine number: *0102*017*0146*

Pegaso was born in a Spanish truck company. In the early 1950s, Wilfredo Ricart (who had been Alfa Romeo's chief engineer for special projects from 1936 to 1944) was the managing director of a state-owned truck and bus manufacturing concern. He pushed the Pegaso Company in the direction of entering the automobile business. The original Pegaso debuted at the 1951 Paris salon. The cars quickly built a reputation for advanced design and engineering prowess. Some of the features were alloy engine components, dual independent braking systems, torsion bar suspension, and a five-speed transmission.

The Pegaso was very expensive to produce. The Z-102B was followed briefly by the Z-103 in 1955. From 1951 to 1958, fewer than 90 of the Z-102 and the Z-103s were built. They had an original sale price of approximately $17,000, making them a very rare and exclusive vehicle. This particular example is one of only seven Series 2 Z-102B Berlinettas produced with coachwork by Saoutchik, each one is slightly different. It is powered by a dual overhead cam, alloy, 2,814cc V-8 engine backed by a five-speed transaxle. It has a unique and rare intake manifold crowned by four Weber carburetors. The engine compartment side panels and firewall have a machine-turned finish.

This car was originally delivered to Mr. Lamy de Caen of Paris, France in October of 1954. In the early 1960s, it was purchased by Don Rickert of Montgomery, Alabama, while he served in the US Air Force in Spain. When he returned home, he had it shipped to the United States. It eventually ended up as part of the famous Harrah's Auto Collection in 1964. Harrah's undertook a complete restoration, using original parts obtained from the Pegaso factory in Spain. The car was purchased by the Imperial Palace Auto Collection in 1987, where it was displayed until acquired by the Blackhawk Collection in 2002. A second restoration was performed between 2006 and 2008. Upon completion, the car was put on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2009. In 2016, it was on display at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

Cabriolet by Touring
Chassis number: 0102*150*0141
Engine number: 0102*017*0141

The Pegaso Z-102 was unveiled in 1951 at the Paris Motor Show and built by parent company ENASA (Empresa Nacional de Autocamiones S.A.), a commercial truck manufacturer based in Barcelona. Endowed with advanced mechanical componentry, the all-aluminum dual overhead cam desmodromic valve dry sump V-8 engine was installed in a sophisticated chassis with a De Dion axle at the rear. Designed by the former head of engineering at Alfa Romeo, Wilfredo Ricart, the Pegaso was a sports car built with racing in mind and even contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Carrera Panamericana.

Production remained limited and exclusive, with fewer than 84 examples of the Z-102 built.

This particular Z-102 began life as a first-series Touring-bodied Berlinetta. It was sold new to Juan Jover, the first Spanish driver to race in Formula 1, as well as a Scuderia Pegaso team driver. Jover sustained injuries in 1953 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans while driving a Z-102 Competition Spider, and, as a result, required a right-hand-drive car. This car was converted by the factory to accommodate Jover's injuries. Additionally, this was the first Z-102 to receive twin-barrel Weber carburetors.

Jover's first race with this car was the hill climb at Rabassada in Barcelona in June 1954, followed by the Vuelta a Cataluña in May 1955.

In 1956, this Pegaso was sold to Manuel Trinxet, who had the car sent to Virgilio Conrero in Torino for racing upgrades. Modifications included Maserati-derived drum brakes, which required the wheels to be farther offset to prevent interference while competing in hill climbs and other races.

Enrique Coma-Cros purchased the pegaso from Sr. Trinxet in 1959. Near the close of the year, Coma-Cros commissioned Barcelona-based Pedro Serra to transform this Z-102 into a spider, a job that reached completion in March 1960. When the conversion was completed, it was entered in the Sant Feliú de Codines Hill Climb in September 1960 and secured 1st in its category.

In 1965, the Z-102 was acquired through a partnership with friends Antonio Arderiu, Sr. Cascante, and Sr. Calsina. Years later, Sr. Arderiu took sole ownership of the car.

The current caretaker has owned this car since 2011 and purchased it through Sr. Arderiu's son. Since that time, the engine, brakes, suspension, and other ancillaries have been sympathetically restored. The engine was rebuilt, and the cosmetics were restored as needed.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Saoutchik
Chassis number: 0102150*0148
Engine number: 0102*017*0148

This car is equipped with the desirable 2.8-liter, quad-cam engine that features the extremely rare and potent dual four-barrel Weber carburetor and a 8.1:1 compression ratio. This configuration produces a respectable 195 horsepower and coupled to a five-speed ZF transaxle and is capable of speeds well over 120 mph. All of the components of the chassis and the lightweight alloy engine were produced at the Pegaso factory in Barcelona. Its first private owner, from Madrid, purchased the Pegaso in February, 1956. Following two subsequent Spanish owners, it was purchased by an American Air Force pilot, Garland W. Burke, stationed in Madrid, who took the Pegaso home to the United States and drove it for several years before putting it into storage. It was brought out of hibernation in 1989 and restored including an engine rebuild by a specialist in Europe. The tubular bumpers were deleted, leaving on the clean lines of the finely sculpted nose and tail. The car has been refinished in its original Pearl White with a Grey Metallic roof.

It has been in the care of its current owners since 2016.

This Z-102 Coupe is the first of the five Series II cars produced by Pegaso with the renowned French coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik.

Named after Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology, the Pegaso Car Company produced very rare and exotic sports vehicles. Wilfredo Ricart was one of Enzo Ferrari's colleagues at Alfo Romeo's race department. He left Alfa Romeo after the war and teamed p with various engineers and technicians to begin working on their own vehicle. This eventually resulted in the Pegaso Z102.

A very modern race-bred V8 engine was placed in the Pegaso Z102 which made it a supreme competition for vehicles built in Maranello, Italy. The Pegaso was fitted with double overhead camshafts, a feature that had been confined to competition vee-type engine, though they were utilized on Jaguar's famous XK120 inline-six. The engine also featured sodium-filled exhaust valves for cooling, an oil cooler, and dry-sump lubrication while also using extensive use of light alloy. The option of one, two or four Weber carburetors could be fitted while compression ratios ranged from 7.8:1 to 9.0:1 to keep up with post-war Spain's unpredictable gasoline octane.

Receiving the elite status of being the only Spanish car to receive international supercar status during the 1950s, the Pegaso Z102B was introduced in 1951 at the Paris Auto Salon. With a top speed of 140 mph, the vehicle featured 250 horsepower at 6300 rpm. The Pegaso Company was government-backed at the time and had extensive experience constructing large 9-liter coaches. No one expected such a cutting-edge sports vehicle from a bus and truck company. Arond 125 Z102's were produced, with only two of them ever receiving bodywork from Saoutchik.

The Pegaso was a replacement for the esteemed Hispano-Suiza and was created to be a sports vehicle of the highest quality. Producing up to 300 hp, all Pegasos was powered by dry-sump V8 engines that ranged from 2.8 to 4.7 liters and featured torsion bar suspension along with 5-speed gearboxes with ZF limited-slip differentials. The 2.5 liter Z102 achieved 50 mph in just 8.3 seconds and 0-100mph in 35.0 seconds and had a top speed of 100 mph.

The Z102 range comprised a glass-backed coupe, a 2-seater cabriolet by Saotchik, a 2/3-seater Berlinetta, and a 2-seater sports model constructed by Superleggera Touring of Milan.

The Pegaso Z102B featured an increased engine with 2,816cc by 1953. The very exotic 'Thrill Berlinette' by Superleggera Touring was added to the range. The Z102B featured very aerodynamic side panels that blended from the rear body into the roof to form stabilizing 'fins' on each side. Considered to be the best known of all Pegaso's, the Z102B featured very exclusive red and black paintwork along with polished spoked wheels.

Pegaso models were largely hand-built and very innovative and advanced for their time. Only 88 models were ever built due to their extremely hefty price tag. Production ended in 1958 and the Pegaso resumed exclusively producing trucks and buses.

by Jessican Donaldson