23rd Jul, 2008 13:30

The Pavilion Gardens

 
  Lot 53
 

1988 Zimmer Golden Spirit Convertible


Lot details
Registration No: Un-Reg
Chassis No: JFABP40E9HF242288
Mot Expiry: T.B.A.

One of America's most successful 'flat-pack' housing producers at the time, Zimmer Manufacturing diversified into the luxury goods business during the late 1970s. Not content with making his own yachts, motor homes and recreational vehicles, Paul Zimmer decided to create a range of bespoke automobiles. An unashamedly neo-classical design, the first Zimmer Golden Spirit rolled off the line at Pompano Beach, Florida in 1980. With its blend of Great Gatsby era styling and modern running gear, it was intended to provide hassle free 'classic' motoring. Built at the rate of approximately 176 cars per year, the Golden Spirit was available in Sport Coupe, Convertible or Sedan guises. Boasting a nationwide dealer network and $10 million annual turnover, the Zimmer Motor Car Division nevertheless fell prey to its parent company's collapse in 1988. Resuscitated by Art Zimmer (no relation) during the late 1990s, the marque has undergone something of a revival in recent years. Owned by celebrities as diverse as the pianist Liberace and basketball star Shaquille O'Neal, early Zimmers have become classic cars in their own right.

Finished in white with oatmeal leather upholstery piped in brown and a blue mohair hood / hood bag, this particular left-hand example is described by the vendor as being in "good overall" condition. Due to the absence of a UK concessionaire, its British industrialist first owner had to buy the car from Zimmer's New York distributor, Paul Presley (cousin of Elvis Presley). Unfortunately, when the order for a convertible arrived the factory was grappling with bankruptcy and only had three coupes in stock. Keen to preserve the sale they duly supplied one of the fixed-heads together with blueprints for a convertible. Reconfigured as a drophead by a German coachbuilder, the well-travelled Golden Spirit was delivered to the Isle of Man upon completion. Still registered there despite the fact that after two months it relocated to Marbella, the four-seater is understood to have spent much of the last twenty years parked outside Sinatra's Bar in Porta Baneous! An attention grabbing machine, it boasts a hand-painted coachline, gold-plated mascot / steering-wheel boss, Canadian 'Birdseye' walnut wood trim, electric Recaro seats, air-conditioning and chrome wire wheels. Further benefiting from a Ford Mustang 5-litre V8 engine allied to automatic transmission, the Zimmer has covered just 24,000 miles from new. Destined to create a stir wherever it goes, this imposing American neo-classic has apparently been featured in various publications (including a full page in the Daily Telegraph). Offered for sale with Isle of Man registration document, hard-backed handbook and MOT certificate valid until July 2009; interested parties are referred to its particularly fascinating history file.

PLEASE NOTE: As stated in the catalogue this vehicle is currently road registered on the Isle of Man.
 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 23rd Jul, 2008

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