Jaguar Pirana Bertone - the forgotten link between Marzal and Espada

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone - the forgotten link between Marzal and Espada

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Created on July 20, 2019

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Karissa Hosek - Courtesy RM/Sotheby's

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - you wouldn't immediately think of a Jaguar E-Type here

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Lamborghini Marzal (1967) - large glass surfaces on the four-seater coupé

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - the Bertone-Gandini design drew a lot from the Marzal

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - flowing lines, large rear overhang

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - the rear shows features of the later Lamborghini Espada

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Lamborghini Espada (1968) - spacious Gran Turiusmo - at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show

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Lamborghini Espada (1968) - harmonious design by Marcello Gandini

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - the front is reminiscent of the Lamborghini Espada

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Lamborghini Espada (1968) - powerful front view

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - the rear also looks similar to the later Espada

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - opulently appointed interior

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - right-hand drive

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - elegantly trimmed seats

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Wooden steering wheel

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Smiths instruments and toggle switches

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Center console

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - air conditioning through the roof

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Bertone lettering on the passenger side

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - high-quality door panels

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - wide-opening hood

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - longitudinally mounted Jaguar engine

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - the 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine in the front

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Chassis badge

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Jaguar trademark

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Cat on the radiator grille

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Dunlop racing rims with center locks

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Bertone lettering

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - here Pirana is still spelled with an "h"

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - somewhat bulky rear end

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Glass tailgate

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - wide rear lights

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Jaguar exhaust system

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - Spare wheel under the trunk floor

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Jaguar Pirana Bertone (1967) - documents from the past and later

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Jaguar Pirana (1967) - at the London Motor Show 1967

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Jaguar Pirana (1967) - Bertone one-off elegantly presented

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Lamborghini Marzal 2000 Bertone (1967) - sensational show attraction with full glazing and gullwing doors - Geneva Motor Show 1967

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Lamborghini Espada (1968) - Gran Turismo for those in a hurry

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Lamborghini Espada (1970) - exhibited at the Motor Show

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Summary

There are concept cars that will be remembered forever. Others, however, are forgotten, even though they have an important place in the history of car design. One of these "show cars" is the Jaguar Pirana by Bertone. After its active time at the motor shows in London, Turin and New York, it disappeared and remained hidden from the public until 2012. This vehicle article tells the story of the Jaguar Pirana and shows it in historical and current pictures as well as in a film document.

This article contains the following chapters

Boosting magazine sales
Multinational collaboration
Evolution instead of revolution
Between Marzal and Espada
Only five months
Presentation at the 1967 London Motor Show
Sold and lost
Pirana or Piranha
Further information

Estimated reading time: 5min

Preview (beginning of the article)

There are concept cars that will be remembered forever. Others, however, are forgotten, even though they have an important place in the history of car design. One of these "show cars" is the Jaguar Pirana by Bertone. The Jaguar Pirana was the brainchild of magazine editor John Anstey, who worked for the Daily Telegraph in the sixties. Why not generate some attention (and a higher circulation) by creating a dream car? The idea took shape about six months before the 1967 London Motor Show, so there wasn't much time. Anstey turned to Carrozzeria Bertone, but also specified the framework conditions. He wanted to use technologies and components that were already on sale. In the end, the decision was made to use the Jaguar E-Type 2+2 chassis as the basis.

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