Sbarro Windhound -1978
The
range of four-wheel-drive off-roaders available at the time
was very different from what we know today. The market was
essentially made up of fairly rustic models whose on-road
capabilities were secondary. These included Land Rover, Nissan
Patrol, Mercedes G and Toyota Land Cruiser. Alongside these
adventurers, some manufacturers offer more luxurious and,
above all, more comfortable models, the forerunner being the
Range Rover. Sbarro's Windhound falls into this second
category.
An eventful career
The first Windhound was ordered by a customer in Neuchâtel. With three-door bodywork, Fiat Campagnola suspension and a six-cylinder BMW engine, the Windhound was luxuriously equipped inside. This first example was sold and took part in the 1980 Paris-Dakar rally with Michel Diallo at the wheel. But after 3500 kilometers of racing, a series of rollovers forced the Windhound to retire. Franco Sbarro bought it back and repatriated it to Switzerland. But the wreck had been looted. Sbarro had to rebuild it. It was fitted with spectacular roof-mounted exhaust and air intake pipes.
Made to measure
Available in two- and four-door versions, the Windhound looks like a large, raised station wagon. Depending on the model, the chassis is derived from that of the Mercedes G, Cherokee Chief or Range Rover. Engines may be of Fiat Campagnola, Mercedes, BMW or Jeep origin. Franco Sbarro has skilfully integrated mass-produced parts to cut costs. The windshield is from the Fiat 131, the grille is from the Volkswagen Passat, and the taillights are from Opel.
The first five-door version, available from 1980, is distinguished not only by its two rear doors, but also by its grille with two rectangular headlamps, replacing the double headlamps of the three-door version. These rectangular headlamps were later used on certain three-door models. Round fog lamps are integrated into the lower part of the bumper. At the rear, the tailgate is topped by an integrated roof spoiler.
Hydraulic jacks adjust the ride height. Ground clearance varies from 25 to 42 cm.
A different Sbarro
At the end of the seventies, Sbarro Windhounds represented the very best in all-terrain vehicles. More elitist than a Range-Rover, more exclusive with only a dozen examples, the Windhound had no real competitor. Sbarro proved that it was capable of designing something other than replicas, and set the bar very high indeed.
Main sources
- Fiat Campagnola, Mercedes, BMW or Jeep engines
- Engine in front longitudinal position
- Power varies according to engine used
- 4 or 5-speed manual or automatic gearbox
- Non-permanent four-wheel drive
- Drum brakes, front disc brakes on request
- Weights from 1850 kg to 2000 kg depending on equipment and engine
- width 1.81 m, height 1.70 m
- top speed around 180 km/h
- 3-door production: 2 with BMW engines, 6 with Mercedes engines, 3 with Jeep engines
- 5-door production: 1 Mercedes-powered model, 2 Jeep-powered models
In brief
1- The forerunner of the luxury 4x4s that would appear two decades later
2- A dozen examples, all unique, in three- or five-door versions
3- The first model took part in the Paris Dakar in 1980