- 1,115
- Rivera
- Tsukishima-TDUDT
This Pontiac Pegasus was one of the dreams of General Motors' design chief, Bill Mitchell. His efforts produced a parade of memorable concept cars and custom cars. This concept car is powered with Ferrari V12 drivetrain, hardware and gauges. The engine, a 365 GTB/4 Daytona V12, was offered by Enzo Ferrari and sealed the deal for this concept car.
The candy-apple red Pegasus Concept has gold-tone pinstriping and chrome, Randy Wittine-designed pinstriping, Ferrari V12 drivetrain, and many modified styling elements. The design was courtesy of stylist Jerry Palmer, who created the initial sketches in the early 1970s. Further development was handled by the Pontiac studio. A GM Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed was mated to the Ferrari V12, but it was later replaced with a Ferrari five-speed. Four-piston Corvette rear brakes were added and many other modifications carried throughout the vehicle.
To make room for the engine, the firewall was moved back nine inches, and left no room for the air conditioning system. Under the forward-hinged hood lay the red-headed four-cam engine. The air cleaner was mounted to the hood, which guaranteed nothing would block the view to the engine while the hood was open. It was also suggested Luigi Chinetti's race team had a hand in setting up the 4.4-liter competition motor with high-overlap cams and big-bore Weber carbs.
Inside, little of the original Firebird trim was kept. There are Ferrari-spec Veglia Borletti gauges, new wood-trimmed center console, and even a Ferrari shifter. Custom leather bucket seats were fitted, resembling those found in similar Italian cars of the time. There is a Ferrari fuel filler mounted to the rear deck and the car rides on Borrani wire wheels. This was truly a concept - or at least a radical custom. It was a marriage of American and Italian design ideas and mechanical components.
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