Miguel Sánchez
Most of you surely know the Pegasus Z-102, but it is because you are specialized readers who, if you have dedicated the same time to DIY that you have invested in reading about classic cars ... I am sure that at least you would already have a nice mansion! However, perhaps some of you still do not know it, mainly because you cannot conceive of the Pegaso seal other than on the front of some imposing truck.
There was a period y entre 1951 1958 that this was not so. A period in which the Spanish state itself - through the public company ENASA- was the manufacturer of a supercar in the style of the great GT of the time, with state-of-the-art technology, captivating design and a buyer's agenda packed with aristocrats and wealthy people in a Spain still struggling to emerge from the devastation resulting from the Civil War.
As you see the Pegaso Z-102 is a rarity, one of those that is capable of moving the fan who is able to appreciate and understand everything original, scarce and advanced that hides its bodywork like few cars. If you already knew him, this video will enchant you, and if it is not the case ... Get ready to meet him in a big way: thanks to one of the fantastic montages of Petrolicious.
PEGASO Z-102: A SPORTS RARE IN THE MIDST OF INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS
Although it may seem delusional, that project went ahead thanks to the stubbornness and good work of Wilfredo Ricart; the excellent engineer who, after having worked at Alfa Romeo during the 40s collaborating with Enzo Ferrari himself, returned to Spain in 1945 to work at the National Institute of Industry and later found ENASA. Yes, in the same ENASA founded for the creation of commercial vehicles!
But… Let's see, because it's not that weird either. It has its explanation. After all, it has been said for years that Volkswagen loses money for each Bugatti produced and that some units leave the factory with a price of 1.830.000 euros. Beyond the brand value that they can generate, these projects serve as a test bed for the development of technologies that are subsequently applied even in the most modest models.
As you see, understanding the Bugatti Veyron and the Pegaso Z-102 from the point of view of technological research and learning ... They even make financial sense. However, this was too dangerous a balancing act in post-war Spain, even more so if we consider that the fruit of the development of each Pegaso Z-102 cost much more than a homologated Ferrari and several times what a Jaguar XK-120.
Therefore Z-102 production resulted in 86 units -of which some 68 are preserved- very different from each other and basically with four types of bodywork: ENASA, Touring, Saoutchik and Serra. Quite a challenge for motor historians who, when it comes to keeping track of each of the models, have before them a whole swarm of names of bodybuilders, owners, specifications ... Reasons that further increase the legends and debates surrounding this already if 'car for connoisseurs'.
PEGASO Z-102 IN PETROLICIOUS: THE ROADS OF ROBLEDO DE CHAVELA
Many of the Pegaso Z-102s have ended up as far away as the United States, although the unit shown in the video is located in our country. Specifically, within stock of the can, which has this one and two other specimens that were recently exhibited together in the outskirts of Madrid in the last Classic Auto in the capital.
For a greater degree of Hispanicity, this unit was modified by Peter Sierra, since originally its shape was that of a Touring coupe. Finally, its 8-cylinder with double overhead camshaft and dry sump has ended up pushing the convertible body with vigor. hybrid that you see here.
A whole jewel preserved in our country and probably for sale that you can see here in top form along the winding roads of Madrid's Guadarrama; in short, what is possibly the most special car in our automobile history shot by the cameras of what may be the channel that with the greatest pleasure produces videos about classic engines. If you did not know Pegazo Z-102 ... You will not find a better audiovisual business card.
