Monteverdi Hai 650 F1: The Final Supercar from Switzerland’s Hidden Visionary

Defiant Masterpiece - When we think of the world’s most thrilling supercars, minds often race to Italy’s Ferrari or Lamborghini, or perhaps even Germany’s Porsche. Yet nestled in the quieter corners of Switzerland, far from the flamboyance of Maranello or Sant'Agata Bolognese, a lesser-known but undeniably passionate figure made his own bold mark in automotive history. His name was Peter Monteverdi, and the final chapter of his engineering journey came in the form of a radical machine—one that tried to bottle the rawness of Formula 1 into a street-legal masterpiece. That machine was the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1, and it remains one of the most fascinating hidden gems in supercar lore.

The Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 is a supercar built based of an updated Monteverdi-ONYX chassis and is powered by an Ford DFR V8 engine. (Picture from: Box26)

Peter Monteverdi’s story is a mix of courage, rebellion, and creative tenacity. Born into a family already immersed in the luxury car business—thanks to his father’s dealership connections with brands like Ferrari, BMW, and Rolls-Royce—Monteverdi didn’t just inherit a legacy, he built one of his own. The turning point came in 1963, when a clash with Enzo Ferrari’s company pushed the then 29-year-old Swiss entrepreneur to break away and start crafting his own cars. The fallout came after Ferrari demanded a large prepayment for a batch of 100 cars, some allegedly including the rare Ferrari 250 GTO. Monteverdi refused, the deal collapsed, and the rest became the beginning of something extraordinary.

The Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 while sat on display at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show. (Picture from: Box26)

Armed with mechanical expertise and a racing background that stretched all the way to Formula 1, Monteverdi set off on a personal mission. He launched MBM (Monteverdi Binningen Motors), where he began building kit cars in limited quantities. Eventually, this evolved into full-fledged production of high-performance luxury vehicles under the Monteverdi badge. His creations—like the Monteverdi Hai 450SS—earned admiration for their blend of elegance and aggression. But it wasn’t until the early '90s that Monteverdi would attempt something truly radical: a supercar that could bridge the gap between track and tarmac.

The Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 is built as many as 3 unit which is consisted 2 running prototypes and rest non running show car. (Picture from: Box26)

In 1992, drawing from his deep F1 experience, Monteverdi unveiled the Hai 650 F1—a low-slung beast that aimed to bring Formula 1 technology and emotion to public roads. Built on an evolved Monteverdi-ONYX chassis and powered by a Ford DFR V8 engine straight out of the Formula 1 playbook, this wasn’t just a nod to motorsport—it was a full-throttle salute. The engine produced an eye-popping 650 horsepower with 390 Nm of torque, giving the car the potential to eclipse rivals not just in speed, but in character.

The Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 used  Ford DFR V8 engine capable burst power of 650 hp and 390 Nm of torque. (Picture from: Box26)

At just 850 kilograms, the Hai 650 F1 was astonishingly light—especially when compared to its contemporaries like the Ferrari F40 and Lamborghini Diablo, which were both significantly heavier and, surprisingly, less powerful. With an estimated top speed of 335 km/h and the ability to launch from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds, the Hai 650 F1 was more than ready to spar with the supercar titans of its era. It was 4.55 meters long, nearly 2 meters wide, and stood only 1.05 meters tall—a true racing silhouette that hugged the ground with intent.

The Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 non-running model, due to it doesn't have an engine. (Picture from: Box26)

Despite its promising specifications, only two functional prototypes were ever completed, both finished in a striking red. A third version, painted in a gray-purple hue, was produced without an engine, intended solely for display. Today, these cars stand preserved at the Monteverdi Museum in Lucerne, occasionally making guest appearances at major international auto shows like Geneva, offering glimpses of what could have been a true revolution in road-going performance.

The Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 non-running model, due to it doesn't have an engine. (Picture from: Box26)

The Hai 650 F1 wasn’t just Monteverdi’s final car—it was his final statement. A blend of race-born engineering, Swiss precision, and uncompromising individuality. It didn’t win championships or flood showrooms, but it captured the pure spirit of a man who refused to be told what he couldn’t do.

Peter Monteverdi passed away in 1998, closing the curtain on his fascinating career. But through the Hai 650 F1, he left behind something far more lasting than numbers or sales figures. He left behind a dream in metal and carbon, a car that dared to challenge convention and carry the soul of racing where few others could. It may have been his last supercar, but for anyone who knows its story, it's impossible to forget. *** [EKA [10092021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BOX26.CH | WIKIPEDIA ]

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