Jaguar Pirana
Production: 1967
Production Type: Concept
Produced: 1
About Jaguar Pirana
The Jaguar Pirana (Bertone Pirana) is a concept car created by Bertone for the 1967 London Motor Show at Earl's Court. The sleek GT car was based on the chassis and powertrain of the 4.2 litre Jaguar E-type, with a unique steel semi-monocoque body and luxurious interior. It was officially named "Pirana," not "Piranha" as some sources describe, although the badge on the rear of the car reads Piranha. This spelling was reportedly an aesthetic choice. The Pirana was designed by Marcello Gandini, perhaps best known for styling the Lamborghini Countach. Unusually for a show car, the Pirana was commissioned by The Daily Telegraph, a leading British daily newspaper, as an example of an "ideal car." Sir William Lyons was contacted beforehand about the project and agreed to sell Bertone the Jaguar engine and chassis. The car was originally registered "TGF 1F". After a successful showing at the London Motor show, the Pirana was subsequently exhibited at the New York car show and then at the British Motor Show in Montreal. The car was later converted to a 2+2 seater arrangement and the transmission changed from manual to automatic. The space for the plus 2 seats being made by moving the air conditioning unit to the rear luggage space.
Jaguar Pirana Overview
The Jaguar Pirana is a one-off grand tourer concept car, unveiled in 1967 at the London Motor Show. Commissioned by The Daily Telegraph and designed by the famed Italian coachbuilder Bertone, the Pirana was built on the chassis of a Jaguar E-Type. Its striking design merged Italian flair with the renowned British engineering of Jaguar. The Pirana was an experimental design that combined the elegance of the E-Type’s underpinnings with Bertone’s futuristic styling cues, making it a standout creation of the 1960s.
Jaguar Pirana Technical Specification
Engine: 4.2-liter Jaguar XK inline-six (borrowed from the Jaguar E-Type).
Power Output: Approximately 265 horsepower.
Transmission: 4-speed manual transmission.
Top Speed: Estimated around 150 mph (241 km/h).
Body: Aluminum body designed by Bertone.
Chassis: Jaguar E-Type chassis.
Length: 4,440 mm.
Width: 1,728 mm.
Height: 1,240 mm.
Weight: Approximately 1,315 kg.