Called the “fastest wagon in the world” the Murena used American underpinnings and a unique wagon body from Intermeccanica of Italy. The Murena was built as sports wagon with luxury appointments, yet had the power of an American V8. It was the work of Franco Scaglione.
The concept was dreamed up by Charlie Schwendler and Jospeh Vos, the president of Murena Motors. He had Intermeccanica built the first prototype which was displayed at the 1969 New York Motor Show.
The Murena weighed in at 3770 lbs which was 1000 less than the Thunderbird. This was paramount, since the Murena used the Thunderbird’s 429 cubic in. V8 engine that produced 360 bhp. 3-speed automatic transmission. In 1970, Road & Track was able to reach 60mph in just 7.5 seconds and the ¼ mile in 15.5 seconds.
The 429 GT is nothing if not a contradiction. The classic wood-rimmed, alloy-spoked Nardi steering wheel and handsome Jaeger instruments scream Italian exotica, but the nondescript slab of dashboard and the view across an acreage of bonnet is more redolent of an American muscle car. Inside was an executive affair with four bucket seats. An ample stereo, air conditioning and automatic rumble window, which separated the rear from the passenger space, made the car certainly habitable, seating four people comfortably.
The Murena weighed in at 3770 lbs which was 1000 less than the Thunderbird. This was paramount, since the Murena used the Thunderbird’s 429 cubic in. V8 engine that produced 360 bhp. 3-speed automatic transmission. In 1970, Road & Track was able to reach 60mph in just 7.5 seconds and the ¼ mile in 15.5 seconds.
The 429 GT is nothing if not a contradiction. The classic wood-rimmed, alloy-spoked Nardi steering wheel and handsome Jaeger instruments scream Italian exotica, but the nondescript slab of dashboard and the view across an acreage of bonnet is more redolent of an American muscle car. Inside was an executive affair with four bucket seats. An ample stereo, air conditioning and automatic rumble window, which separated the rear from the passenger space, made the car certainly habitable, seating four people comfortably.
Although over 35 orders were reported, only 10 or 11 were ever built. Elvis Presley bought two and legend has it that Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. were also early adopters. (supercars.net, drive-my.com & crudmudgeon.tumblr.com)
(Photos from commons.wikimedia.org, hiveminer.com, influx.co.uk, de.wikipedia.org, flickr.com,
crudmudgeon.tumblr.com, drive-my.com, allcarindex.com, intermeccanica.org, automotiveviews.com,
en.wheelsage.org & supercars.net)
en.wheelsage.org & supercars.net)