Jump to content

Pegaso Z-102: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎Technical data: convert units, overall cleanup
Ligokkan (talk | contribs)
88 edits
No edit summary
 
(37 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox automobile
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Pegaso Z-102
| name = Pegaso Z-102
| image = 1955 Pegaso Z102B Gran Turismo Coupé.jpg
| image = 1956 Pegaso Z102 Touring Coupe - fvr.jpg
| caption = 1955 Pegaso Z-102B Touring Berlinetta Superleggera at the [[Goodwood Festival of Speed]]
| caption = 1956 Pegaso Z-102 Panoramica Coupe by Touring
| manufacturer = [[Pegaso]]
| manufacturer = [[Pegaso]]
| production = 1951-1958 (84 produced)
| production = 1951–1958 (84 produced)
| designer = [[Wifredo Ricart]] (original design)<br> [[Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera|Carrozzeria Touring]], [[Saoutchik]], Enasa (coachbuilt variants)
| designer = [[Wifredo Ricart]] (original design)<br> [[Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera|Carrozzeria Touring]], [[Saoutchik]], Enasa, Serra (coachbuilt variants)
| body_style = 2-door [[coupe]]<br>
| body_style = 2-door [[coupe]]<br>
2-door convertible
2-door convertible
Line 16: Line 17:
| weight =
| weight =
| successor = [[Pegaso Z-103]]
| successor = [[Pegaso Z-103]]
}}[[Image:Pegaso sport.JPG|thumb|right|1952 Pegaso Z-102 brochure cover.]][[Image:PEGASOZ102SAOUTCHICK.jpg|thumb|Pegaso Z-102 bodied by [[Saoutchik]].]]
}}[[File:Rétromobile 2015 - Pegaso Z-102 Saoutchik coupé - 1954 - 004.jpg|thumb|1954 Pegaso Z-102 coupe bodied by [[Saoutchik]].]]
[[Image:Pegaso Z-102 white vr TCE.jpg|thumb|right|Pegaso Z-102 BS 3.2 Competition Touring Spyder.]]
[[File:Paris - Retromobile 2014 - Pegaso Z-102 Série II cabriolet - 1954 - 002.jpg|thumb|1954 Pegaso Z-102 Series II Cabriolet by Saoutchik]]
[[Image:Pegaso Rabassada - 001.jpg|thumb|right|Pegaso Z-102 ''Spider Rabasada'', 1953.]]
[[File:10567 dsc 7864.jpg|thumb|Pegaso Z-102 Berlinetta by Touring rear view]]
{{Expand Spanish|Pegaso Z-102|date=February 2018}}
[[File:Concours élégance Villa Este 24.JPG|thumb|1952 Pegaso Z-102 Cupola rear view]]{{Expand Spanish|Pegaso Z-102|date=February 2018}}
The '''Pegaso Z-102''' was a Spanish [[sports car]] produced by [[Pegaso]] in [[Spain]] in both [[coupé]] and [[cabriolet]] form between 1951 and 1958. The Z-102 was the fastest production car in the world at the time of production, having reached a top speed of {{Convert|151|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.
The '''Pegaso Z-102''' is a Spanish [[sports car]] produced by [[Pegaso]] in [[Spain]] in both [[coupé]] and [[cabriolet]] form from 1951 until 1958. The Z-102 was the fastest car in the world at the time of production, having reached a top speed of {{Convert|151|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.


==Background==
==Background==
[[Pegaso]] was an established company noted for its trucks and motor coaches, but also produced sports cars for seven years. Pegaso's chief technical manager was [[Wifredo Ricart]] who formerly worked as chief engineer for [[Alfa Romeo]], and while there designed the [[Alfa Romeo Tipo 512]]. The Z-102 started life as a pair of prototypes in 1951 with coupe and drophead body styles. Both prototypes had steel bodies which were determined to be too heavy and Pegaso made the decision to switch to alloy bodies to save weight. However, the cars were still quite heavy and brutish to drive and racing success was virtually nonexistent. Because the cars were built on a cost-no-object basis the car soon proved too costly to warrant continued production and the Z-102 was discontinued after 1958. A simplified and cheaper version, the [[Pegaso Z-103|Z-103]] with 3.9, 4.5 and 4.7 litre engines, was put into production but had little success and only 3 were built.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2018-01-27|title=Pegaso Z-102|url=https://es.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pegaso_Z-102&oldid=105196914|journal=Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre|language=es}}</ref>
[[Pegaso]] was an established company noted for its trucks and motor coaches, but also produced sports cars for seven years. Pegaso's chief technical manager was [[Wifredo Ricart]] who formerly worked as chief engineer for [[Alfa Romeo]], and while there designed the [[Alfa Romeo Tipo 512]]. The Z-102 started life as a pair of prototypes in 1951 with coupe and drophead body styles. Both prototypes had steel bodies which were determined to be too heavy and Pegaso made the decision to switch to alloy bodies to reduce weight. However, the cars were still quite heavy and brutish to drive and racing success was virtually nonexistent. Because the cars were built on a cost-no-object basis the car soon proved too costly to warrant continued production and the Z-102 was discontinued after 1958. A simplified and cheaper version, the [[Pegaso Z-103|Z-103]] with 3.9, 4.5 and 4.7 litre engines, was put into production but had little success and only 3 were built.


== Production ==
== Production ==
Pegaso made the Z-102 starting in 1951 and finishing in 1958 having built a total of 84 cars (some sources say only 71). Out of those 84, 28 were [[Cabriolet|cabriolets]] while the rest were fixed roof [[Coupé|coupés.]] The original design for the Z-102 was penned by Pegaso chief technical manager [[Wifredo Ricart]], formerly chief engineer for [[Alfa Romeo]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://rmsothebys.com/ny15/new-york---driven-by-disruption/lots/1954-pegaso-z-102-32-berlinetta-by-touring/1078218|title=RM Sotheby's - r106 1954 Pegaso Z-102 3.2 Berlinetta by Touring|date=2017-07-20|work=RM Sotheby's|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en}}</ref> The majority of Z-102s had bodies by [[Carrozzeria Touring]] (although early Z-102 units carry Pegaso-made bodies), but a handful of cars had bodies by other coachbuilders. [[Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera|Carrozzeria Touring's]] design built on Ricart's original design, with changes including redesigning the grille, lowering the car, re-positioning the fog lights and simplifying various details to give it a cleaner profile. This body style is the most well known and numerous of the Z-102 bodies. French coachbuilder [[Saoutchik]] bodied 18 cars, 3 of which were convertibles, as well as one of the original prototypes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2013/03/04/spanish-superfly-one-of-one-pegaso-z-102-heads-to-auction/|title=https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2013/03/04/spanish-superfly-one-of-one-pegaso-z-102-heads-to-auction/|website=www.hemmings.com|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> Coachbuilder Serra bodied a handful of cars as well. In house coachbuilder Enasa also built a version of the Z-102 called the "Cupola" which was designed based on sketches from Spanish students. The students were given the challenge of sketching what they thought cars of the future would look like. Prominent design cues from those drawings were then taken, and Enasa brought the car to life. Only two "Cupola" models were known to have been built. One of the two was purchased by Dominican dictator [[Rafael Trujillo]]. Only one of the Cupola models is known to have survived and it is currently owned by the [[Louwman Museum]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2016/03/14/1952-pegaso-z-102-cupola-takes-best-in-show-at-amelia-island/|title=https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2016/03/14/1952-pegaso-z-102-cupola-takes-best-in-show-at-amelia-island/|website=www.hemmings.com|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref>
Pegaso made the Z-102 starting in 1951 and finishing in 1958, having built a total of 84 cars (some sources {{who|date=June 2019}} say only 71). Out of those 84, 28 were [[cabriolet]]s while the rest were fixed-roof [[Coupé|coupés.]]{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}} The original design for the Z-102 was penned by Pegaso chief technical manager and automotive engineer [[Wifredo Ricart]], formerly chief engineer for [[Alfa Romeo]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://rmsothebys.com/ny15/new-york---driven-by-disruption/lots/1954-pegaso-z-102-32-berlinetta-by-touring/1078218|title=RM Sotheby's - r106 1954 Pegaso Z-102 3.2 Berlinetta by Touring|date=2017-07-20|work=RM Sotheby's|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en}}</ref> 19 cars were bodied by Pegaso's parent company Enasa, 11 of which were Berlinettas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1952 Pegaso Z-102 - ____ |url=https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/pegaso/z-102/1952/949383 |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=www.classicdriver.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The majority of Z-102s had bodies by [[Carrozzeria Touring]] (although early Z-102 units carry Pegaso-made bodies), but a handful of cars had bodies by other coachbuilders. [[Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera|Carrozzeria Touring's]] design built on Ricart's original design, with changes including redesigning the grille, lowering the car, re-positioning the fog lights and simplifying various details to give it a cleaner profile. This body style is the most well known and numerous of the Z-102 bodies. French coachbuilder [[Saoutchik]] bodied 18 cars, 3 of which were convertibles, as well as one of the original prototypes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2013/03/04/spanish-superfly-one-of-one-pegaso-z-102-heads-to-auction/ |title=Spanish superfly: One-of-one Pegaso Z-102 heads to auction |website=www.hemmings.com|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> Coachbuilder Serra bodied a handful of cars as well. Enasa also built a version of the Z-102 called the "Cupola" which was designed based on sketches from Spanish students. The students were given the challenge of sketching what they thought cars of the future would look like.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}} Prominent design cues from those drawings were then taken, and Enasa brought the car to life. Only two "Cupola" models were known to have been built. One of the two was purchased by Dominican dictator [[Rafael Trujillo]]. Only one of the Cupola models is known to have survived and it is currently owned by the [[Louwman Museum]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2016/03/14/1952-pegaso-z-102-cupola-takes-best-in-show-at-amelia-island/ |title= 1952 Pegaso Z-102 Cupola takes Best in Show Concours de Sport at Amelia Island |website=www.hemmings.com|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref>


==Performance==
==Performance==
The Z-102 had a pressed steel chassis with an alloy body. Everything was produced in-house at [[Barcelona]] at Pegaso's own factory, with the exception of coachwork. The Z-102 is powered by a four-cam all-alloy [[V8 engine]] featuring dry-sump lubrication. Power went through a 5-speed non-synchromesh transaxle.
The Z-102 had a pressed steel chassis with an alloy body. Everything was produced in-house at [[Barcelona]] at Pegaso's own factory, with the exception of coachwork. The Z-102 is powered by a four-cam all-alloy [[V8 engine]] featuring dry-sump lubrication. Power went through a 5-speed non-synchromesh transaxle.


The Z102 entered production with a 2.5 (2,472 cc) litre engine, as was used in the prototypes, though later variants used a 2.8 L (2,816 cc), and 3.2 L (3,178 cc) litre [[DOHC]] [[Desmodromic valve|desmodromic]] 32-[[poppet valve|valve]] [[V8 engine|V8]] {{Convert|360|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[engines]] with multiple carburetors or an optional supercharger. Power ranged from {{Convert|175|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} to {{Convert|360|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and was sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed gearbox with gear-driven camshafts. The base model Z-102 had a top speed of 120&nbsp;mph (192&nbsp;km/h). In supercharged trim the Z-102 could reach a top speed of {{convert|151|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, making it the [[Production car speed record|world's fastest production car]] at that time,<ref name="candriv001">{{cite news
The Z102 entered production with a 2.5 (2,472 cc) litre engine, as was used in the prototypes, though later variants used a 2.8 L (2,816 cc), and 3.2 L (3,178 cc) litre [[DOHC]] [[Desmodromic valve|desmodromic]] 32-[[poppet valve|valve]] [[V8 engine|V8]] {{Convert|360|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[engines]] with multiple carburetors or an optional supercharger. Power ranged from {{Convert|175|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} to {{Convert|360|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} and was sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed gearbox with gear-driven camshafts. The base model Z-102 had a top speed of 120&nbsp;mph (192&nbsp;km/h). In supercharged trim the Z-102 could reach a top speed of {{convert|151|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, making it one of the [[Production car speed record|world's fastest production car]] at that time.<ref name="candriv001">{{cite news
| first = Bill
| first = Bill
| last = Vance
| last = Vance
| title = Motoring memories: Pegaso, 1951 - 1958
| title = Motoring memories: Pegaso, 1951–1958
| url = http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/bv/pegaso.htm
| url = http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/bv/pegaso.htm
| publisher = ''Canadian Driver''
| publisher = Canadian Driver
| date = 2006-06-30
| date = 2006-06-30
| accessdate = 2008-05-18
| accessdate = 2008-05-18
}}</ref>
}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|date=2018-02-08|title=Production car speed record|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Production_car_speed_record&oldid=824599848|journal=Wikipedia|language=en}}</ref> although some sources say the Z-102 doesn't qualify because of the low production numbers of the supercharged variant.


The main beams of the car's frame had large [[lightening holes]], and the wheel wells under the body were used as stressed members.
The main beams of the car's frame had large [[lightening holes]], and the wheel wells under the body were used as stressed members.
Line 45: Line 46:
This rear-wheel-drive car had its transmission in the rear, connected to the differential (making it a transaxle). But it was unusually located ''behind'' the differential within a reverse A-frame whose apex was at the rear of the chassis. A fuel tank was situated on each side of the transmission.
This rear-wheel-drive car had its transmission in the rear, connected to the differential (making it a transaxle). But it was unusually located ''behind'' the differential within a reverse A-frame whose apex was at the rear of the chassis. A fuel tank was situated on each side of the transmission.


The rear suspension was made by [[De Dion tube|De Dion]], with the unusual feature that to restrain the tube from side-to-side movement, its tube had a small wheel at its midpoint that rolled in a vertical channel on the front of the differential (which in a De Dion system is bolted to the chassis) instead of using a [[Watt's linkage]] or a [[Panhard rod]].
The rear suspension was [[De Dion tube|De Dion]], with the unusual feature that to restrain the tube from side-to-side movement, its tube had a small wheel at its midpoint that rolled in a vertical channel on the front of the differential (which in a De Dion system is bolted to the chassis) instead of using a [[Watt's linkage]] or a [[Panhard rod]].{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}


== Racing ==
== Racing ==
[[Image:Pegaso Z-102 white vr TCE.jpg|thumb|Pegaso Z-102 BS 3.2 Competition Spyder by Touring ]]
Z-102s competed in several racing events but were met with little to no real success. Three Z-102s were entered by Pegaso in the [[1953 24 Hours of Le Mans]] (some sources claim the number was 4,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tbslot.blogspot.com/2011/09/cj-20-pegaso-spyder-touring-le-mans.html|title=CJ-20 Pegaso Spyder Touring Le Mans 1953|last=Bareta|first=Toni|date=2011-09-02|website=Toni Bareta Slot|access-date=2018-08-08}}</ref> and others claim only 2 entered),<ref name=":2" /> but during the race driver [[Juan Jover]] misjudged the speed of his approach to the corner after the Dunlop bridge, causing him to crash his Z-102 Spyder into the barriers at more than {{Convert|200|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1953/11/les-24-heures-du-mans-1953|title=Les 24 Heures du Mans, 1953 {{!}} Motor Sport Magazine Archive|date=2014-07-07|work=Motor Sport Magazine|access-date=2018-08-08|language=en}}</ref> He sustained serious injuries to his left leg from the crash, and Pegaso decided to withdraw their other cars. They competed also in the [[1954 Carrera Panamericana]], driven by Joaquin Palacio, achieving promising results in the first stages, but an accident prevented an excellent final position.
ENASA registered two Pegaso Z-102s in the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix, which was exceptionally held for sports racing cars. Chassis 0113 and 0115 were registered for Juan Jover (number 52) and Joaquin Palacios (number 54) respectively, plus a third reserve car. Three Z-102s were entered by Pegaso in the [[1953 24 Hours of Le Mans]] (some sources claim the number was 4,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tbslot.blogspot.com/2011/09/cj-20-pegaso-spyder-touring-le-mans.html|title=CJ-20 Pegaso Spyder Touring Le Mans 1953|last=Bareta|first=Toni|date=2011-09-02|website=Toni Bareta Slot|access-date=2018-08-08}}</ref> and others claim only 2 entered),<ref name=":2" /> but during the race driver [[Juan Jover]] misjudged the speed of his approach to the corner after the Dunlop bridge, causing him to crash his Z-102 Spyder into the barriers at more than {{Convert|200|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1953/11/les-24-heures-du-mans-1953|title=Les 24 Heures du Mans, 1953 {{!}} Motor Sport Magazine Archive|date=2014-07-07|work=Motor Sport Magazine|access-date=2018-08-08|language=en}}</ref> He sustained serious injuries to his left leg from the crash, and Pegaso decided to withdraw their other cars. They competed also in the [[1954 Carrera Panamericana]], driven by Joaquin Palacio, achieving promising results in the first stages, but an accident prevented an excellent final position.[[Image:Pegaso Rabassada - 001.jpg|thumb|right|Pegaso Z-102 ''Spider Rabasada'', 1953.]][[File:1954 Pegaso Z-102 Enasa Pedrables.jpg|thumb|1954 Pegaso Z-102 Enasa "Pedralbes"]]On September 25, 1953, in [[Jabbeke]] (Belgium), a Z-102 Touring BS/2.8 (the old Barchetta used at Le Mans, 2.8 litre single supercharger), driven by Celso Fernández, broke four official R.A.C.B. (Royal Automobile Club de Belgique) world records. Of these records the most prominent was its speed in the flying-start kilometer. The supercharged Z-102 achieved a '''243.079&nbsp;km/h (151.042&nbsp;mph) average,''' a record previously held by a [[Jaguar XK120]]. This made the Z-102 the fastest production car in the world at that time. The original Z-102 BSS/2.5 Bisiluro Especial Competición (2.5 litre twin supercharged) built to take on the records couldn't be used because of a blown engine.

On September 25, 1953, in [[Jabbeke]] (Belgium), a Z-102 Touring BS/2.8 (the old Barchetta used at Le Mans, 2.8 litre single supercharger), driven by Celso Fernández, broke four official R.A.C.B. (Royal Automobile Club de Belgique) world records. Of these records the most prominent was its speed in the flying-start kilometer. The supercharged Z-102 achieved a '''243.079&nbsp;km/h (151.042&nbsp;mph) average,''' a record previously held by a [[Jaguar XK120]]. This made the Z-102 the fastest production car in the world at that time, although many sources now argue that since less than 20 supercharged models were built, the car did not qualify as a true production car.<ref name=":1" /> The original Z-102 BSS/2.5 Bisiluro Especial Competición (2.5 litre twin supercharged) built to take on the records couldn't be used because of a blown engine.


== Concours events ==
== Concours events ==
⚫
A Pegaso Z-102 coupé with coachwork by [[Saoutchik]], owned by [[Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza|Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza]], wearing leopard skin upholstered seats and gold controls won the 1953 [[Enghien-les-Bains]] (France) Grand Prix d'Elegance. A 1952 Z-102 "Cupola", one of two believed to have been made and the only one known to have survived, took the Chairman's Choice Award and Best of Show Concours de Sport at the 2016 [[Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance]].<ref name=":0" />


⚫
A Pegaso Z-102 coupé with coachwork by [[Saoutchik]], owned by [[Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza|Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza]], wearing leopard skin upholstered seats and gold controls won the 1953 [[Enghien-les-Bains]] (France) Grand Prix d'Elegance. A 1952 Z-102 "Cupola", one of two believed to have been made and the only one known to have survived, took the Chairman's Choice Award and Best of Show Concours de Sport at the 2016 [[Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance]].<ref name=":0" /> At the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Pegaso was included as a featured class, featuring nine of the best examples in the world.
==Technical data==
==Technical data==
Note: Technical data is for the 2.8-liter Z102 produced in 1953.{{Citation needed|date=November 2018}}
Note: Technical data is for the 2.8-liter Z102 produced in 1953.{{Citation needed|date=November 2018}}
Line 64: Line 64:
| Engine:
| Engine:
| front-mounted, longitudinal V8 engine
| front-mounted, longitudinal V8 engine
with alloy block and cylinder head
with alloy block and cylinder heads
|-
|-
| Bore x Stroke:
| Bore x Stroke:
Line 113: Line 113:
|-
|-
| Track front/rear:
| Track front/rear:
| 1320 mm / 1290 mm
| 1320 mm / 1290 mm
|-
|-
| Wheelbase:
| Wheelbase:
Line 124: Line 124:
|{{Convert|225|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}
|{{Convert|225|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}
|-
|-
| 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration:
| 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) acceleration:
| 8,5 seconds
| 8.5 seconds
|-
|-
| Fuel consumption (estimate):
| Fuel consumption (estimate):
| 13,2 to 14,5 liters/100 km
| 13.2 to 14.5 liters/100 km
|}
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="nolines" widths="250">
File:Pegaso sport.JPG|1952 Pegaso Z-102 brochure cover.
File:Pegaso Z-102 000 000 1951-1958 000 frontleft 2012-03-22.jpg|An early Z-102 Berlinetta with coachwork designed in house and built by Enasa, Pegaso's parent company
File:Pegaso Z-102 Cabrio Saoutchik 000 000 1951-1958 000 frontright 2012-03-22 A.jpg|An early Z-102 Spyder with [[Saoutchik]] coachwork
File:Rétromobile 2015 - Pegaso Z-102 Serra Spider - 1953 - 004.jpg|1953 Pegaso Z-102 Spider by Serra
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Production car speed record]]
*[[Timeline of most powerful production cars]]


==References==
==References==
Line 135: Line 147:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Pegaso Z102}}
*[http://www.automobile-catalog.com/list-pegaso.html ''Automobile-Catalog'' Full line of Pegaso Z-102]
*[http://www.automobile-catalog.com/list-pegaso.html ''Automobile-Catalog'' Full line of Pegaso Z-102]
*[http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/bv/pegaso.htm ''CanadianDriver'' Motoring Memories: Pegaso]
*[http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/bv/pegaso.htm ''CanadianDriver'' Motoring Memories: Pegaso]
*[http://classics.com/pgss01.html "Memory of a mirage" exhibition, 2001]
*[http://classics.com/pgss01.html "Memory of a mirage" exhibition, 2001]
*[http://alvolante.ifrance.com/jabbeke.html Jabbeke records fiftieth anniversary celebration (in Spanish)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080821022100/http://alvolante.ifrance.com/jabbeke.html Jabbeke records fiftieth anniversary celebration (in Spanish)]
*[http://www.allsportauto.com/wallpapers.php3?zl_id=4482&zl_idMD=663 Pegaso Z-102 Saoutchik cabriolet]
*[http://www.allsportauto.com/wallpapers.php3?zl_id=4482&zl_idMD=663 Pegaso Z-102 Saoutchik cabriolet]
*[http://www.pieldetoro.net/z/pieldetoro/0pegaso.asp PIEL DE TORO (in Spanish)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071021035156/http://www.pieldetoro.net/z/pieldetoro/0pegaso.asp PIEL DE TORO (in Spanish)]


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
Line 155: Line 168:
[[Category:Convertibles]]
[[Category:Convertibles]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
⚫
[[Category:1950s cars]]
[[Category:Cars of Spain]]
[[Category:Cars of Spain]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1951]]
⚫
[[Category:Pegaso vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 05:16, 10 June 2024

Pegaso Z-102
1956 Pegaso Z-102 Panoramica Coupe by Touring
Übersicht
ManufacturerPegaso
Production1951–1958 (84 produced)
DesignerWifredo Ricart (original design)
Carrozzeria Touring, Saoutchik, Enasa, Serra (coachbuilt variants)
Body and chassis
Body style2-door coupe
2-door convertible
LayoutFR layout
Chronology
SuccessorPegaso Z-103
1954 Pegaso Z-102 coupe bodied by Saoutchik.
1954 Pegaso Z-102 Series II Cabriolet by Saoutchik
Pegaso Z-102 Berlinetta by Touring rear view
1952 Pegaso Z-102 Cupola rear view

The Pegaso Z-102 is a Spanish sports car produced by Pegaso in Spain in both coupé and cabriolet form from 1951 until 1958. The Z-102 was the fastest car in the world at the time of production, having reached a top speed of 151 mph (243 km/h).

Background

[edit]

Pegaso was an established company noted for its trucks and motor coaches, but also produced sports cars for seven years. Pegaso's chief technical manager was Wifredo Ricart who formerly worked as chief engineer for Alfa Romeo, and while there designed the Alfa Romeo Tipo 512. The Z-102 started life as a pair of prototypes in 1951 with coupe and drophead body styles. Both prototypes had steel bodies which were determined to be too heavy and Pegaso made the decision to switch to alloy bodies to reduce weight. However, the cars were still quite heavy and brutish to drive and racing success was virtually nonexistent. Because the cars were built on a cost-no-object basis the car soon proved too costly to warrant continued production and the Z-102 was discontinued after 1958. A simplified and cheaper version, the Z-103 with 3.9, 4.5 and 4.7 litre engines, was put into production but had little success and only 3 were built.

Production

[edit]

Pegaso made the Z-102 starting in 1951 and finishing in 1958, having built a total of 84 cars (some sources [who?] say only 71). Out of those 84, 28 were cabriolets while the rest were fixed-roof coupés.[citation needed] The original design for the Z-102 was penned by Pegaso chief technical manager and automotive engineer Wifredo Ricart, formerly chief engineer for Alfa Romeo.[1] 19 cars were bodied by Pegaso's parent company Enasa, 11 of which were Berlinettas.[2] The majority of Z-102s had bodies by Carrozzeria Touring (although early Z-102 units carry Pegaso-made bodies), but a handful of cars had bodies by other coachbuilders. Carrozzeria Touring's design built on Ricart's original design, with changes including redesigning the grille, lowering the car, re-positioning the fog lights and simplifying various details to give it a cleaner profile. This body style is the most well known and numerous of the Z-102 bodies. French coachbuilder Saoutchik bodied 18 cars, 3 of which were convertibles, as well as one of the original prototypes.[3] Coachbuilder Serra bodied a handful of cars as well. Enasa also built a version of the Z-102 called the "Cupola" which was designed based on sketches from Spanish students. The students were given the challenge of sketching what they thought cars of the future would look like.[citation needed] Prominent design cues from those drawings were then taken, and Enasa brought the car to life. Only two "Cupola" models were known to have been built. One of the two was purchased by Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. Only one of the Cupola models is known to have survived and it is currently owned by the Louwman Museum.[4]

Performance

[edit]

The Z-102 had a pressed steel chassis with an alloy body. Everything was produced in-house at Barcelona at Pegaso's own factory, with the exception of coachwork. The Z-102 is powered by a four-cam all-alloy V8 engine featuring dry-sump lubrication. Power went through a 5-speed non-synchromesh transaxle.

The Z102 entered production with a 2.5 (2,472 cc) litre engine, as was used in the prototypes, though later variants used a 2.8 L (2,816 cc), and 3.2 L (3,178 cc) litre DOHC desmodromic 32-valve V8 360 hp (268 kW) engines with multiple carburetors or an optional supercharger. Power ranged from 175 hp (130 kW) to 360 hp (268 kW) and was sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed gearbox with gear-driven camshafts. The base model Z-102 had a top speed of 120 mph (192 km/h). In supercharged trim the Z-102 could reach a top speed of 151 mph (243 km/h), making it one of the world's fastest production car at that time.[5]

The main beams of the car's frame had large lightening holes, and the wheel wells under the body were used as stressed members.

This rear-wheel-drive car had its transmission in the rear, connected to the differential (making it a transaxle). But it was unusually located behind the differential within a reverse A-frame whose apex was at the rear of the chassis. A fuel tank was situated on each side of the transmission.

The rear suspension was De Dion, with the unusual feature that to restrain the tube from side-to-side movement, its tube had a small wheel at its midpoint that rolled in a vertical channel on the front of the differential (which in a De Dion system is bolted to the chassis) instead of using a Watt's linkage or a Panhard rod.[citation needed]

Racing

[edit]
Pegaso Z-102 BS 3.2 Competition Spyder by Touring

ENASA registered two Pegaso Z-102s in the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix, which was exceptionally held for sports racing cars. Chassis 0113 and 0115 were registered for Juan Jover (number 52) and Joaquin Palacios (number 54) respectively, plus a third reserve car. Three Z-102s were entered by Pegaso in the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans (some sources claim the number was 4,[6] and others claim only 2 entered),[7] but during the race driver Juan Jover misjudged the speed of his approach to the corner after the Dunlop bridge, causing him to crash his Z-102 Spyder into the barriers at more than 200 km/h (120 mph).[7] He sustained serious injuries to his left leg from the crash, and Pegaso decided to withdraw their other cars. They competed also in the 1954 Carrera Panamericana, driven by Joaquin Palacio, achieving promising results in the first stages, but an accident prevented an excellent final position.

Pegaso Z-102 Spider Rabasada, 1953.
1954 Pegaso Z-102 Enasa "Pedralbes"

On September 25, 1953, in Jabbeke (Belgium), a Z-102 Touring BS/2.8 (the old Barchetta used at Le Mans, 2.8 litre single supercharger), driven by Celso Fernández, broke four official R.A.C.B. (Royal Automobile Club de Belgique) world records. Of these records the most prominent was its speed in the flying-start kilometer. The supercharged Z-102 achieved a 243.079 km/h (151.042 mph) average, a record previously held by a Jaguar XK120. This made the Z-102 the fastest production car in the world at that time. The original Z-102 BSS/2.5 Bisiluro Especial Competición (2.5 litre twin supercharged) built to take on the records couldn't be used because of a blown engine.

Concours events

[edit]

A Pegaso Z-102 coupé with coachwork by Saoutchik, owned by Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza, wearing leopard skin upholstered seats and gold controls won the 1953 Enghien-les-Bains (France) Grand Prix d'Elegance. A 1952 Z-102 "Cupola", one of two believed to have been made and the only one known to have survived, took the Chairman's Choice Award and Best of Show Concours de Sport at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.[4] At the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Pegaso was included as a featured class, featuring nine of the best examples in the world.

Technical data

[edit]

Note: Technical data is for the 2.8-liter Z102 produced in 1953.[citation needed]

Pegaso Z-102
Engine: front-mounted, longitudinal V8 engine

with alloy block and cylinder heads

Bore x Stroke: 80 mm x 70 mm
Displacement: 2816 cc
Max power @ rpm: 170 CV (168 hp; 125 kW) (at least) @ 6300 rpm
Max torque @ rpm: 22 kg⋅m (159 lb⋅ft; 216 N⋅m) @ 3600 rpm
Compression ratio: 8.8 : 1
Fuel feed: 4 Weber 36 DCF3 carburetors
Valvetrain: DOHC
Cooling: water
Gearbox: 5 speed manual

rear wheel drive, axle ratio: 4,18:1 to 5,2:1

Front suspension: Multi-link suspension, torsion bar
Rear suspension: De Dion axle
Brakes: drum brakes
Steering: rack and pinion
Body structure: aluminium/steel on multitubular frame
Weight: 990 kg (2,183 lb)
Track front/rear: 1320 mm / 1290 mm
Wheelbase: 2340 mm
Length: 4100 mm
Top speed: 225 km/h (140 mph)
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) acceleration: 8.5 seconds
Fuel consumption (estimate): 13.2 to 14.5 liters/100 km
[edit]
  • 1952 Pegaso Z-102 brochure cover.
    1952 Pegaso Z-102 brochure cover.
  • An early Z-102 Berlinetta with coachwork designed in house and built by Enasa, Pegaso's parent company
    An early Z-102 Berlinetta with coachwork designed in house and built by Enasa, Pegaso's parent company
  • An early Z-102 Spyder with Saoutchik coachwork
    An early Z-102 Spyder with Saoutchik coachwork
  • 1953 Pegaso Z-102 Spider by Serra
    1953 Pegaso Z-102 Spider by Serra

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "RM Sotheby's - r106 1954 Pegaso Z-102 3.2 Berlinetta by Touring". RM Sotheby's. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  2. ^ "1952 Pegaso Z-102 - ____". www.classicdriver.com. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Spanish superfly: One-of-one Pegaso Z-102 heads to auction". www.hemmings.com. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  4. ^ a b "1952 Pegaso Z-102 Cupola takes Best in Show Concours de Sport at Amelia Island". www.hemmings.com. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  5. ^ Vance, Bill (30 June 2006). "Motoring memories: Pegaso, 1951–1958". Canadian Driver. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  6. ^ Bareta, Toni (2 September 2011). "CJ-20 Pegaso Spyder Touring Le Mans 1953". Toni Bareta Slot. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Les 24 Heures du Mans, 1953 | Motor Sport Magazine Archive". Motor Sport Magazine. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pegaso Z102.
Preceded by Fastest street-legal production car
244.62 km/h (151.99 mph) 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pegaso_Z-102&oldid=1228239614"