History of the Devin:

Bill Devin was an automotive pioneer in the truest sense of the word.  He built a car that had a style, sophistication, and performance of a Ferrari but sold for much less.  The prancing horse demanded a high price due to its pedigree; however, Devin decided to exploit the market and offer a nearly identical vehicle at an affordable price.

Bill had a history in racing that included a win at the first Pebble beach race in 1949 while driving a modified Crosley Hot Shot.  Later he entered the fiberglass body business where he sold hundreds of lightweight but durable bodies at just under $300 a piece.  Near the close of the 1950’s, his company was producing nearly 100 bodies a week and shipping them throughout the world. 

Irishman Malcolm Macgregor approached Devin with a sports car that he had built.  It was compete but lacked a body.  Devin was impressed with the design and soon chassis development was taking place in Ireland.  The rolling chassis were then shipped to Devin in Elmonte, California where he would finish the assembly.  It included an independent suspension in the front and De Dion tubes setup in the rear.  Steering was through a rack-and-pinion unit.  Twelve inch Girling brakes provided ample stopping power while the Dunlap wire wheels held the car firmly in place under heavy cornering. 

Around fifteen chassis were sent to Devin who finished them with a Chevrolet V8 power, Borg Warner transmission, chromed exhaust pipes, and lightweight bodies.  Ferrari’s of the day were fetching around $12,000 while a comparable Devin racer cost just under $6,000. 

On the racing circuit Devin quickly proved their potential by winning the C-modified Championship, and continued to successfully race in SCCA-C modified class against Ferrari’s, Lister’s and Maserati’s.  For sport car enthusiasts, the Devin racer was converted into a road friendly vehicle that possessed power and style that provided weekend entertainment for those looking for something more interesting to do!

Current History:

I first saw this car several years ago in Hemmings magazine, and it was located in South Carolina.  I brought the Devin home to Mooresville, NC, Home of NASCAR fabrication shops which had completed most of the restoration.  It was in very poor condition and required full restoration.  This car is approximately 95% finished!  Looks and runs great!  Has some minor scratches, and chips.  Needs gas gauge to be installed (included), new side exhaust pipes. 

CHASSIS:

Restoration began by removing the body from the chassis.  The chassis was stripped down to the custom built tube frame, sand blasted then painted black.   New suspension includes (coil over springs, and shocks), new pan-head bar in the rear.   The steering was replaced with a competition rack and pinion steering.  It has new front disk brakes, rotors, and powdered coated calibers/drums.  New aluminum floorboards.  A newly installed fuel cell (12 gallons) with racing style fuel cap.  (See Pictures).

BODY:

The fiberglass body was completely stripped, primed, and painted viper red with white and blue racing stripe then clear coated.  (See Picture).

WHEELS/TIRES:

New American Mag wheels and tires.

INTERIOR:

New aluminum racing seats with black material covering, Simpson lap style seat belts, custom fabricated transmission cover.  Custom dash board includes switch assembly – all toggle with fuses.  Auto meter gauges (0 – 200 mph), (0 – 10,000 tachometer), large size gauges include oil pressure, temperature, and volts.   Push start ignition.  Black carpeting and removable race inspired steering wheel.

ENGINE:

The motor is a small block Chevrolet that was completely rebuilt with the following modifications:

-         Block was chemically boiled and cleaned.

-         Cylinders were re-bored to 355 csi.

-         Camel Humped Heads were completed rebuilt with new spring sand valves, guides, screw in rocker studs, and roller lifters. 

-         Crank was nitrated, balanced, knifed edged, forged. 

-         Mild cam and all new bearings. 

-         Forged pistons, new rings, and rods.   

-         Weiend in-take manifold with brand new Holly Street Avenger 600 CFM.

-         New oil pump, alternator, timing-chain, gears, Elderbrock aluminum timing cover.

-         New Accel distributor cap, coil, rotor, and wires.

-         New water pump, and aluminum radiator.

-         Block hugger headers – estimated horse power (400+).

-         Car weight – approximately 1900 lbs.

TRANSMISSION:

-         Muncie Rock Crusher, all synchronized four-speed transmission.

-         New Heavy duty clutch and pressure plate.

REAR-END:

-         Nine inch Ford.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:

-         All new custom wiring harness. 

-         Street legal with working horn and lights.

-         Only registered Devin in North Carolina for street use.

-         New heavy duty battery in rear.

Check full details in available pictures on various stages of restoration.  Please contact me with any questions you may have at whward@yahoo.com.

PLEASE BID WITH CONFIDENCE.