The
Pegaso Z-403 Monocasco was a two-level
monocoque
Monocoque ( ), also called structural skin, is a structural system in which loads are supported by an object's external skin, in a manner similar to an egg shell. The word ''monocoque'' is a French term for "single shell".
First used for boats, ...
(chassisless)
coach
Coach may refer to:
Guidance/instruction
* Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities
* Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process
** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers
Transportation
* Co ...
, fitted with a
diesel engine
The diesel engine, named after Rudolf Diesel, is an internal combustion engine in which ignition of the fuel is caused by the elevated temperature of the air in the cylinder due to mechanical compression; thus, the diesel engine is a so-ca ...
asymmetrically mounted amidships, designed in 1949 and built in Spain by
Enasa
ENASA (Empresa Nacional de Autocamiones S.A.) was a Spanish motor vehicle manufacturing company that was incorporated in 1946 after having bought the automotive assets of the Spanish Hispano-Suiza and the Italian Fiat in Spain. It produced trucks, ...
between 1951 and 1957.
The first Z-403 body design dates back to 1949. It brought notable contributions to passenger service for its safety and comfort and was considered an "auto-
pullman" by virtue of its great comfort and its amenities. In the standard version it was equipped with radio, bar, and a small bookcase.
The Z-403 featured a single chassisless structure which allowed a better use of space, with all the mechanical units located in the underside of the vehicle, isolated from the passenger compartment.
Its split-level deck greatly improved the passengers' view and allowed for considerable luggage space. Its concept answered to the creation of a vehicle with a total length of , capable of transporting 30 to 45 seated persons depending on the comfort desired, and with good visibility. For greatest comfort, independent front-wheel suspension was used, with transverse arms and torsion bars.
The high resistance to flexion and torsion of the single-structure was ensured by the elements which made up the monocoque: the exterior covering of light, easily changeable metal panels. The ceiling and even the ornamental band under the windows were also structurally important parts. The body was made of steel profiles covered laterally with thick steel sheets combined with thick corrugated sheets of light alloy. The roof was made entirely of light alloy.
The Pegaso Diesel engine with was mounted in the central part of the vehicle, in the space under the half top deck, providing good weight distribution and high stability. Also offered was the possibility of a petrol version of . The petrol-fuelled version never got past the prototype stage, due to its high fuel consumption.
The Z-403 was developed and produced in the Pegaso plant in
Barcelona
Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...
, and it is believed that a total of around 50 units were sold. Primary customers were
Iberia
The Iberian Peninsula (),
**
* Aragonese and Occitan: ''Peninsula Iberica''
**
**
* french: Péninsule Ibérique
* mwl, Península Eibérica
* eu, Iberiar penintsula also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in southwestern Europe, defi ...
and
Aviaco airlines and Atesa tour operator.
Film appearance
In the final scene of
Orson Welles
George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his innovative work in film, radio and theatre. He is considered to be among the greatest and most influential f ...
's 1955 film Mr. Arkadin, a pair of Pegaso Z-403 coaches appear prominently close to an aircraft in an airport (actually, Madrid Barajas airport, the coaches belonging to Iberia airlines).
See also
* PD-4501 Scenicruiser
Bibliography
Lage, Manuel. Hispano-Suiza/Pegaso. Madrid 1992. {{ISBN, 84-7782-236-0
Coaches (bus)
Buses of Spain