The Zimmer Golden Spirit remains one of those creations you still can’t quite understand why it exists. I know, there’s an ass for every seat, and I have owned plenty of vehicles very few people understand. But the neoclassical era was just one that went over my head in terms of why there was more than one company building cars like this. Still, there’s an appeal to it if you dig 80s excess like I do, and if I had to own one of these retro-modern fantasies, the Zimmer is the one I’d chose. Find the Golden Spirt here on eBay with just under 28,000 miles and bids to $16,100 with the reserve unmet.
The best thing the Zimmer had going for – in my opinion – was its completeness. There are so many kit cars and small-batch models like this where you can clearly tell where the manufacturer ran out of the funds needed to build a truly finished product. The Golden Spirit at least seemed like it was assembled with an eye towards fit and finish, and the company certainly didn’t skimp on the luxury features, either, loading it up with leather, wood trim, and some very nice Recaro bucket seats.
Being based on the Fox body platform means many of the basic mechanical and/or replacement parts are still easy to come by (aside from the bodywork, of course) and the engine is your run-of-the-mill 5.0L. The temptation has always been strong to supercharge one of these bad boys and make it into a modern day Cruella de Ville car. The seller is a dealership that has a much more robust listing here on Hemmings if you wish to get more details, and is absolutely correct that the Golden Spirit calls to mind the supercharged Cords and Auburns from back in the day.
The deep maroon paint is in lovely shape which isn’t really surprising considering many of these cars were purchased as collectibles that saw minimal use. Though they never really exploded in value, examples that are in outstanding condition like this car will always have a following; less certain is whether they will command a high sale price given they remain somewhat obscure today. The reserve remains a wish and given the seller is looking for $35K on Hemmings, it may be a while before it finds a new home.
Interesting cars, I’ve seen very few of them in person. The thing that always clashed for me was the use of VW bug turn signals stuck on the front fenders.
I won’t say anything negative about a person’s choice in cars, but given the decision of driving this or a Yugo, I would choose the Yugo.
I’m not sure what that says about me.
Common sense, humanity and 20/20 vision Vegaman, is what your comment says about you. Personally, I’d rather walk than be seen in this.
I lived through this period of ersatz “classic” cars being marketed to people with no taste. As I struggled to restore my old MGs, I’d attend classic car shows where these abominations showed up as if they deserved to be there. Best left to the dustbin of history.
I’d say these haven’t aged well, but they weren’t attractive babies either.
If I had the wherewithal I would *absolutely* buy this and then throw the entire catalog of Fox-body performance goodies at it.
Marvelously bad taste. If Elvis had been alive when this was built he would have been driving one.
Years ago, I saw row upon row of these at the Miami International airport. They had been used for one of the large rental outifts and were all for sale after they had reached their mileage limit.
Miami, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and LA are the only places these eyesores could possibly have been driven.
It’s too bad Zimmer didn’t offer interior-only conversions of an externally stock Mustang (or Foxbody LTD).
I worked for Zimmer and probably helped build this car. They were worth nothing then and they are worth nothing now.
Are there spare wheels in the Continental tyres kit?
It’s missing the requisite Liberace candelabra!
I’m sorry but this car offends my manhood. I would never be caught dead in one. If I did fall off my rocker and buy this, I would dig a hole 20 feet deep and place the car at the bottom. Why, you ask? Because, as everyone knows, deep down it is a really fine automobile.
Having lived in Fort Lauderdale, the land of flash and money, fake diamonds and rolexes, these were common along with a melange of other “reproduction” cars back in the early to late 80s. I have a strong distaste for anything not real. These fit that category.
Zimmer was in Pompano by the way (in the event you were not aware). I worked there for a few months while I was waiting to get into A and P school at BCC South Campus.
I love the Zimmer based on the Fierro. This one, not so much.
I remember Zimmer had the Quicksilver, laugh, based on Fiero.
With a lame 2.8 V6. This cars come close to Stutz Blackhawk.
But the black hawk looks a bit better – except the panel gaps.
But all where they fail is the interior with a square-box dash
board. A more contemporary looking and self made like as
a classic pe-war Mercedes or Bugatti had helped them to
catch more attention and possible buyers. This boxes dont
attract European or fareast buyers.
The better kit-cars in my opinion where Panter or Panther
from Brasil. 2 door 4 door roadster and stretch limo.
Dual sidemounts AND a Continental kit – they must have had awful tires to need three spares!!
I’ve never seen the attraction to Zimmers, Excalibers, et al. IMHO, they were for people that wanted to be noticed.
Not Steve, like folks who buy and restore muscle cars, luxury cars of the 40’s like Packards, Lincolns, Cadillacs, etc. We know how all collector car owners keep them hidden in garages and warehouses so nobody notices either the cars or the owners.
The interior of this one is a Mustang! I’m not really up to date on these types of cars, but you can tell its a Mustang! At least the Stutz use Pontiac Grand Prix interiors! Just saying!
I think these are cool, but not for me, with 23 boats and cars for sale they must be a dealer.
Tough crowd here, If I could get one of these for under 10K, I’d drive it to Vegas and pretend that I’m famous, but a real Auburn would be better…
Well, it’s better looking than that Caprice thing with the implanted ’57 Chevy side trim from a few days ago. That ain’t saying much . . .
I’ll take this over the all-to-common Corvettes any day. Not sure I understand the vitriolic comments.
“speak of the devil” as I did a few days ago, in the same breath as the excaliber – when commenting on – was it the same thing MGSteve mentions (50’s fins, etc) above? I think Jeff’s following me 8^ 0
I’ll take nipnt’s suggestion and get intouch w/them to redo my fox wagon interior (’83/6 Marquis/LTD 3.8L).
I don’t think the two ages can meet.
If this thing was an open top and just used a truck frame with a new body inspired from the mid 30’s they might have pulled it off.
But it is clear where 1935 meets 1985 and it is like dating a rich woman 50 years older than yourself…..
You both look ridiculous and desperate.
Does anyone remember seeing late sixties Toronados with an external appearance package that made them look like a Cord? They had a different front-end and exhaust pipes coming from the sides of the hood like this car. I remember visiting the Olds dealership in the city where I grew up to look at them and saw more of them at a festival in an amusement park where I work. Nowadays, I can’t seem to find anything about them. I know I didn’t imagine it.
They had one front subframe linked to a second front subframe. A real cob job imho.
I’ve always liked these. Quirky. But every time I see one, I think, ” they could have done so much more with the rear end,” like use the rear end off an 80s Cadillac Seville.
The taillights are blah on this car. Again, Seville taillights would have shown better.