Rare Swiss off-roader hits a neat €38k in Europe

An exotic Monteverdi Sahara off-roader designed in the 1970s as a competitor to the Range Rover fetched a solid €38,500 (41,300 USD) at an auction this weekend.

The car was based on the Harvester Scout 800 chassis. Its creator, Swiss niche automaker Monteverdi, unveiled a luxury-laden Monteverdi Safari SUV in 1976. A few years later, the company released a different version of the Safari, which received the name “Sahara”. Only 30 vehicles have seen the light of the day.

The entire bodywork was designed by Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Fissore. A 5.7-liter V8 was the standard choice, but those who wanted something different had a wide range of options including even the Nissan SD33 diesel.

Further options included an expensive leather makeover for the cabin, power windows, an automatic transmission and an air conditioner. The all-wheel-drive system the car shipped with incorporated a dual-range transfer case by default.

The example on sale was optioned with a Chevrolet Small Block engine rated at 165 PS (163 hp / 123 kW) and a three-speed AT. It received a Bordeaux Red fabric upholstery and black vinyl trim. The original buyer also ordered it with a two-tone exterior finish, 15-inch wheels and an AC.

The listing claims the car has less than 83,000 kilometers (51,500 miles) of use on it despite being 46 years old. It enjoyed some maintenance in 2023 that saw its carburetor repaired and its filters and liquids replaced.