Auto Speciali’s Rare Creations: The Story Behind the Veleno / Predator

Obscure Ingenuity - Every era has its own way of experimenting with mobility, and today’s world of electric crossovers and tech-driven cabins makes it easy to forget how wildly creative the custom-car scene once was. Long before digital design studios or viral social media builds, there were handcrafted machines shaped by imagination, stubborn passion, and a bit of daring. That atmosphere is what paved the way—indirectly yet unmistakably—for two fascinating vehicles known as the Valeno / Predator.

The Auto Speciali Veleno was created by Auto Speciali Ltd using the original mold derived from the Chamberlain Searcher One. (Picture from: Rarecomponentcars)

Their story traces back to the distinctive Chamberlain Searcher One, a bespoke car originally created for a basketball player whose towering height demanded unusual proportions. Its silhouette was so unconventional that it seemed more like a prop from a film set than a road-going machine. Although the Searcher One itself never evolved into a mass-produced model, its design spark didn’t entirely fade. Martin Slater, the mind behind Lyncar, quietly preserved the original blueprints long after the one-off car had been completed. Those drawings would eventually be sold to a colleague who saw potential in reimagining the concept for a new generation of enthusiasts.

The 1986 Chamberlain Searcher One was a bespoke car built for Wilt Chamberlain, whose exceptional height required a uniquely proportioned design. (Picture from: Silodrome)

That opportunity took shape in Worcestershire when Auto Speciali Ltd. was founded in 2006. Rather than replicating the Searcher One outright, the company distilled its essence into two related but distinct cars: the Valeno / Predator. As the Valeno was offered as a kit, appealing to hands-on builders who enjoyed crafting a machine piece by piece, while the Predator arrived as a fully assembled turn-key car for those who wanted the finished product without the garage-time commitment.  

The Auto Speciali Veleno is built on a custom spaceframe and powered by engines ranging from Toyota MR2 units to Ford V6s and V8s, with many of its components sourced from the Ford Granada. (Picture from: Rarecomponentcars)

Both carried echoes of the Searcher One’s unusual form, yet they were grounded in practicality. Instead of relying on purpose-built components, they integrated engines and parts from models that owners could readily source and maintain. Unit choices ranged widely—from compact Toyota MR2 powertrains to Ford V6 and V8 setups—supported by components pulled from everyday cars such as the Ford Granada. The result preserved the bold personality of the original design but placed it within the reach of regular drivers and builders.

The Auto Speciali Veleno was offered solely as a kit car, and between 2006 and 2010 it was sold to only four buyers. (Picture from: Rarecomponentcars)

Despite that accessible approach, the Valeno or Predator remained rare sightings. Only four Valeno kits and a handful of Predator models were ever sold, and production tapered off around 2010. Auto Speciali’s portfolio during its short run branched into other niche creations as well, including the AS 427, a respectful tribute to the legendary AC Cobra. The company frequently collaborated with other boutique car builders, moving through a sequence of partnerships—Fiero Factory in the late ’90s, Euro 427 Sports Cars in the early 2000s, back to Fiero Factory, then Venom Sports Cars, and eventually Vindicator Cars after 2010. Across all these ventures, roughly a thousand vehicles emerged under various names, each carrying its own corner of small-batch automotive character. 

The Auto Speciali AS 427, a respectful tribute to the legendary AC Cobra crafted by the automaker during its short run. (Picture from: 7Car.tw)

But even with that modest output, the momentum eventually slowed. Auto Speciali dissolved in 2011, leaving partners like Vindicator Cars to continue on their own path. The lineage tied to the Searcher One, however, gradually receded from public memory. The Valeno or Predator—brief flashes of creativity inspired by a forgotten blueprint—never became icons, yet they occupy an intriguing space in the tapestry of modern automotive history. They represent a moment when artisans attempted to revive an obscure idea, not to chase trends or commercial success, but because the original design deserved another chance to live.

Today, these cars survive mostly through scattered photos, old forum posts, and the occasional enthusiast who recalls seeing one in person. That faint presence only adds to their charm. The Valeno or Predator remind us that the automotive world isn’t shaped solely by the models that fill today’s showrooms or dominate auction headlines. Sometimes its most compelling stories come from the machines that flicker briefly, touch a few lives, and then quietly step out of the spotlight—leaving behind a trail of curiosity for anyone who loves the odd, the rare, and the beautifully unexpected. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | NYTIMES | GREYFLANNELAUCTION | AXIALFLOW | SILODROME | RARECOMPONENTCARS | MADABOUT-KITCARS | 7CARTW | DRIVE2.RU | CLASSICANDRECREATIONSPORTSCARS | REDDIT ]

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