by Don Meluzio –
I was very excited to attend the recent Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. I knew that one of the featured marques was Pegaso, and I couldn’t wait to see the Pegaso Cars.
I first saw a Pegaso at Pebble Beach back in either 2001 or 2002, and I was smitten. Before that event I had never even heard of a Pegaso, let alone seen one.
Best in Show, Concours de Sport – 1952 Pegaso Z-102
A Pegaso is a Spanish built automobile, yes Spanish. It was the baby of engineer Wilfredo Ricart and it was really making a statement for Spain. In 1948 Ricart had been appointed the Head of E.N.A.S.A,, The Empressa Nacional de Autocamiones S.A., a company that made Trucks and Buses.
Ricart’s idea was to showcase the talents of Spanish Industry with a world class sports car.
The Pegaso is an engineering marvel, in my mind its strongest asset is the engine. They are lookers, it’s kind of a mixture of a 426 Hemi Mopar, and a Ferrari! They look fabulous with twin overhead cam, all alloy V-8 engine, multiple carburetor setups, and lots of black wrinkle finish and chrome.
Pegaso Cars
The Pegaso Z-102 debuted in 1951. They used multiple coachwork companies that built the bodies. Some of the bodywork can be a little harsh, they were very futuristic, and I feel that the Saoutchik bodied cars can be a little gaudy. I really LOVE the Touring bodied cars, they are a little more conservative. The show field had 13 of the 84 Pegaso cars ever produced on display.
Because I had my own car on the show field (one of the three Bizzarrini Spyders) I really didn’t have a lot of time for photos, and then you add the massive crowd and it was a little difficult, but here are some of the best of Pegaso!
Body by Saoutchik
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Don Meluzio is an avid car lover and collector. He owns one of the Bizzarrini Spyders which was on display at Amelia Island.
He competed in the Porsche Racing Program from 1988 through 1992. In 1989 he finished 15th in the Porsche Cup USA. In 1991 he finished 9th in the Porsche World Cup. A top 15 finish earned a trip to Stuttgart, where at the Porsche Cup Banquet Professor Porsche presented him with his cash award and a gift. During this time he had already acquired the Porsche 901 Prototype.
He is the president of the Iso & Bizzarrini Owner’s Club and lives in Pennsylvania USA.
We don’t get a very good look at the Z-102 “Cupula” which won Best in Show, Concours de Sport. Perhaps Mr. Meluzio agrees with the majority of Hemmings Motor News commenters that this is an ungainly creation, though I’ve found it fascinating since discovering its image on a bubblegum card in the late ’50s…
https://www.ameliaconcours.org/Data/Sites/1/media/images/2016%20Best%20in%20Show%20Awards%20photo%20Nathan%20Deremer.jpg
Hi John, I agree , the “Cupula” is a pretty strange looking car. I guess we do have to realize it was early 50s, so it is far ahead of it’s time. I don’t know about the red walls, and the yellowish color, but he won best sports car not me. Thanks for your comments, Don
The same car prior to its most recent restoration…
http://pegasoqueestasenloscielos.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html
I had the same bubble gum cards. lol
One of my favorite all time cars. I owned this one for 17 years and in 1994 put together the (then) largest gathering of Pegaso cars in North America (9 cars) at Pebble Beach. Stunning cars in every respect and worthy of the attention and admiration of any capable enthusiast. The engine mechanicals are not for the faint of heart.
The jewel of their motor offering however is the 3.2litre supercharged twin cam V8 which resides in the Touring bodied racing spider that is in EU today. I supplied the motor for that car to complete the restoration in time for Pebble Beach. Back then, the yellow car was silver with red interior.
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/img/31763/Pegaso-Z102-B-2.8-Touring–Thrill-.html
Wow Raffi, you have to love those hand crafted air scoops on the carbs. What a cool car! I really wish I had been at Pebble back in 94 to see your display. You mentioned that those engines are not for the faint of heart. That has probably stopped me from venturing into the world of Pegaso. Are they that hard to tune? I would assume engine parts are about unobtainable. I would think internal engine parts are only to be hand made, and not available otherwise? Thanks for your post, and I love your Pegaso.
Thank you for the fine article and pictures.
Tom, Thanks for your compliments, I’m sorry I didn’t get more and better pictures. Don
Back in the day, my friend Asa Clark had 2 cars to sell, and I could only afford one of them. So I bought the Ferrari 500 Mondial S/N 0434MD, as I knew a bit about Ferraris. The other car was a Pegaso Touring Berlinetta, one pf the pretty ones. Still kicking myself. Doh!
Ed, I wouldn’t say you made a mistake by buying the 500 Mondial!! What a car, did you keep it long? Don
great article & pictures. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Bruce, I love the display, I just didn’t have much time to look at them! Don
Nice article on these little known cars. Thanks for taking the time to write it and share the pictures.
It was nice to see you there with your own little known car, a Bizzarrini Spyder.
Bill and crew does a great job of showing very interesting and rare cars.
Wow, what an enjoyable read. To be honest, I’d never heard of Pegaso’s. It was certainly very interesting and a visual treat to boot. Thank you Don:-))