Cars

In the mid-1980s, in an automotive landscape dominated by German, Italian and British brands, an ambitious young French firm was born: MVS Venturi. Founded in 1984 by two engineers, Claude Poiraud and Gérard Godfroy, the company set itself the mission of creating a genuine French GT car, capable of rivaling Porsche, Ferrari or Lotus in terms of both performance and refinement. The first model, the Venturi 160, laid the foundations for this ambition: a light, well-balanced, mid-engined propulsion car with a fluid design inspired as much by technical rigor as by driving pleasure.

The Venturi 260 embodies the brand’s second wind. Introduced in the late 1980s, it combines a rigid tubular chassis, composite bodywork and a supercharged 2.5-liter V6 PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) engine developing between 260 and 285 hp, depending on version. Thanks to its lightness and well-balanced driveability, it delivers performance worthy of much more famous sports cars: 0-100 km/h in less than 6 seconds, and a top speed approaching 250 km/h.

Produced on a very limited scale, often to order, the Venturi 260 remains one of the best-kept secrets in the world of classic cars. Less flashy than a Ferrari, more exclusive than a Porsche 911, it embodies another idea of luxury and performance: that of an artisanal manufacturer, at the crossroads of motorsport and French know-how. The brand, now based in Monaco, is best known for its Formula E exploits, but has also been involved in projects as diverse as ice speed records and the development of polar and lunar vehicles. A fascinating story, just like this car.

The Venturi 260 is a masterpiece in the little-known but fascinating history of the French automobile. Produced in very small numbers, and extremely rare in circulation today, it represents a unique opportunity for lovers of exceptional vehicles, purists in search of authenticity, or discerning investors. Its value, which has long remained discreet, is now rising sharply, driven by the rediscovery of the brand and growing interest in the “alternative” sports cars of the 80s and 90s.

The Venturi presented here is a Venturi MVS 260 APC, produced in 1992, with just 24,400 km on the clock. It’s powered by the famous 2849-cc, supercharged V6 PRV engine, which delivers lively power for just 1250 kg.

Ordered new by the seller via the official distributor in Kuwait, this Venturi spent a large part of its life in a temperature-controlled museum, before being recently recommissioned. Today, it presents itself in very good overall condition: original bodywork with a few superficial marks due to age, sound chassis, luxurious full-leather interior, and real wood on the dashboard. The overall impression is classic, elegant and unostentatious.

Chassis VK8CUP51192CE0053