The Full Monty: A concours debutant reveals all

By Steve Wakefield

2nd September 2015

“I’ll be in Edinburgh for the Concours of Elegance on Saturday,” said Simon, “so why don’t you look after HMS Monty at Chantilly?”

‘HMS Monty’ being the Monteverdi 375/4 High Speed, one of only a dozen or so of the Italian-designed, Swiss-built, Chrysler V8-powered luxury battleships from the 1970s. The Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille event is in only its second year and came highly recommended. The prospect of steering Monty – longer and wider than a 1970s kipper tie – on the Tour and during Sunday’s Concours sounded fun. “I’m in.”

F40 looks away as Monty receives some attention down below

Well, an 'owner' has to rise to the occasion?

It’s 17 1/2 feet long (around 5.3 metres), but the Fissore-designed coachwork is well-balanced, and I’m sure with a decent prod of the pedal the 375bhp, 7.2-litre Chrysler V8 should pull HMS Monty along more than briskly. We’re in the ‘European Chassis with American Engine (Closed Cars)’ class, so Monty and I are expecting stern opposition from various Facels, Isos, De Tomasos, Jensens and Bristols.

Over a 10-year period from 1967, Swiss businessman (one-time Ferrari and Rolls-Royce distributor) Peter Monteverdi built a handful of cars powered by the most powerful American engines from Chrysler and clothed in classic Italian coachwork by Carrozzerie Frua or, in Monty’s case, Fissore. The generous coupés and 2+2s were similar in ethos to a Maserati or Aston Martin: fast, comfortable and exclusive distance-coverers, rather than out-and-out road-racing berlinettas.

On the waterfront. It's a well-proportioned car

Looking forward to getting behind that wheel

The Monty’s previous US owner spent 15 years and several $100ks rebuilding the elegant blue saloon to ‘as new’ condition, and Simon has maintained the momentum with further recent work at Kevin O’Rourke’s Surrey-based Mototechnique to ensure Monty doesn’t just look good. The 1977 car was sold new to Qatar – their Royal Family were known for their taste in luxury cars, boats and aircraft – so in those days having your own oil well(s) must have helped. The only thing missing is a 1977-period onboard TV as specified by the Qataris: vintage radio specialists please note!

HMS Monty’s just arrived in France – next stop for me after the Eurotunnel on Friday will be a ‘get to know you’ session at 8.30am on Saturday morning… and then we set sail into the French countryside. I can’t wait.

For further information on the 2015 Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille, visit www.richardmille.com

All photos - K500 and Kidston SA