The Contessa

Herb Adams was a legendary Pontiac engineer and head of Special Projects that created the GTO Judge package, the ’69 Trans Am, and the limited-production SD-455 engine, among a host of other cool projects. Two oil embargoes and the advent of emissions restrictions then ushered in the dark ages of muscle cars. So Herb left GM in 1973 to start VSE (Very Special Equipment), cranking out hard-core aftermarket suspension pieces for like-minded car enthusiasts. His tuning and performance parts business eventually evolved into producing Cobra replicas and kit cars in a new venture, Passion Motors, headquartered in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

The Contessa 502 project was a further development of Passion Motors' line of Cobra replicas. However, it was not a replica but more an homage to cars like the Shelby Cobra Daytona and Ferrari 250 GTO. The concept was to combine classic 1960's racecar looks with modern materials and engineering. 

The Contessa 502, at rear

Development of the Contessa began in the mid-2000's and made its debut in 2011. It was intended as a low-volume, hand-built, made-to-order, two-seat sports car. It featured curvaceous fiberglass bodywork with a long hood, rakish windshield, muscular fenders, ending in a Kamm style rear. The car was offered in street and track versions available in either turn-key or component forms.

The chassis was constructed of mild steel, wire-welded and powder coated. The front and rear suspension consisted of steel, double A-arms with aluminum knuckles and ProShock lightweight aluminum coil-over shocks. A Flaming River rack-and-pinion power steering unit made for agile turns, while a 32mm, non-adjustable hollow sway bar controls the roll angle and makes front end response precise. At rear, a non-adjustable sway bar was installed to minimize understeer.

The Contessa 502 chassis

Brembo brakes at all corners provided appropriate stopping power, thanks to 12.8-inch rotors and four-piston fixed calipers fore and 12-inch rotors and four-piston fixed calipers aft. The track version of the Contessa was fitted with Sierra Racing Products Grand National Billet calipers. 

Power came from a '74 Pontiac 455 two-bolt main engine with a stock crank, connecting rods, and pistons; 6X heads with Speed Pro stainless-steel 2.11/1.77 valves; a Comp Cams Extreme Energy XE262H hydraulic, flat-tappet cam (218/224-degrees duration, 0.462/0.470-inch lift); Comp Cams Magnum roller-tip 1.52-ratio rocker arms; an Edelbrock Performer intake; a Holley 750-cfm carburetor; R.A.R.E. cast-iron exhaust manifolds; and a Borla stainless-steel system featuring an X-style pipe, dual straight-through mufflers, and stainless-steel tips. 

The Contessa 502's engine bay

The monstrous motor was mated to manual valve-body Turbo 400 transmission, connected to an American Axle 8.5-inch rear-axle assembly stuffed with 3.50 gears and a limited-slip differential. 

Passion Motors expected the Contessa to run the quarter-mile in 12 seconds flat, deliver 0.90 g on the skid pad (limited by tires), and an estimated top speed of 200 mph. Given the car's specifications, this seems fairly attainable and would be respectable even by current standards. 

Creature comforts included leather-wrapped Recaro seats with matching door panels, RJS four-point harnesses, a custom cast-aluminum dash, a full compliment of Gaffrig gauges, a Flaming River stainless-steel tilt steering column, a Grant steering wheel, custom cast-aluminum pedals, and light-absorbing aircraft-grade fabric for the headliner, reveal moldings, and dash cap. A Vintage Air A/C system kept occupants cool and there were also built-in racing helmet holders in an area behind the front seats.

The Contessa 502 interior

The Contessa was well received by the motoring press but didn't find enough buyers to sustain the project. Passion Motors seems to have folded in the ensuing years but your author hasn't uncovered details on its fate as yet. 

In the end, at least two cars in track and street trim were completed. There appears to be a third, possibly made from spares, which surfaced recently on social media as well.

Sources: 
Hemmings
Motor Trend

The Contessa 502

The Contessa 502, at a dragstrip

The (possibly 3rd) Contessa 502, owned by Jim Haller

The Contessa 502 badge

The Contessa 502 interior with helmet coves

The Contessa 502 track version

The Contessa 502 track version, carving a corner

The Contessa 502 track version in profile