We all have cars and trucks burned into our collective memories from our childhood. Among the stacks of “coffee table” car books I poured over, full of photos of exotics and luxury models I yearned to someday own, the Mosler Consulier was a regular feature in these glossy hardcovers I got off the discount rack at Waldenbooks. The Mosler was one of the only domestic vehicles to stand toe-to-toe with overseas sports cars, short of the Vector W8, both in terms of its wild looks and stirring performance. This Consulier GTP-LX is offered for sale with 8,200 original miles and an asking price of $55,000.
Like Vector, Mosler also had a visionary behind its creation. Warren Mosler was the brainchild behind this lightweight sports car, which combined a kit car-like design with a lightweight chassis, carbon fiber, and kevlar construction, and robust turbocharged Chrysler 2.2L four-cylinder engines. While the looks are certainly subjective, it was impossible to miss if you were a car enthusiast in the late 80s but also if you happened to be someone who spent time on the track in the same time period. The Consulier became known for its blistering performance thanks to an exceptional power-to-weight ratio, which helped it dominate the field on any road course of your choosing.
What was particularly novel about the Mosler (in my mind, anyway) was that, despite being a low-volume vehicle made by a small corporation, it was the fit and finish. You got an actual interior with a real dashboard, chock full of gauges and a functioning radio. Real Recaro seats and an actual center console were included in the purchase price as well. We have all spent enough time around kit cars and replicas to know there are inevitably shortcomings that remind you time and again how cheaply built your car is, and Mosler clearly wanted to avoid this negative connotation.
The Consulier was actually so successful in racing that it was eventually penalized by IMSA before being banned entirely. While obviously a bummer for Mosler, it’s also a bit of a ringing endorsement for just how blistering the performance was when you combine a lightweight shell with upwards of 190 horsepower (and likely ample opportunity to turn up the boost and generate even more thrust.) The Mosler is listed here on Facebook Marketplace and the seller believes it to be the only black-on-black example in existence. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for the find.
Remembering Consuliers bombing around Lime Rock. Very impressive in its day. Wasn’t the ban connected with the rear fans, which were accused of blowing ‘stuff’ on following cars?
Nice car. Got a chance to see one in action in ’97 at Palm Beach International Raceway during a 24 hour enduro. We were driving a Ford Fiesta full up race car that in it’s normal class was pretty fast. The Consulier’s lap time was almost twice as fast as ours.
Pretty cool but what happens if it needs body parts, someone rear ends you, almost too afraid to drive, for that much money.
Because it’s a Carbon Fiber Monocoque, you’ll have to have it repaired by a yacht maker familiar with carbon fiber. There is a down side to advanced technology.
So you are saying anyone living in Arizona should pass?
I’ve NEVER had the chance to see, let alone buy a Consulier, but it is my dream car. Even as so many nay-sayers derided the car’s looks, I’ve always had the sneaking suspicion this car could be a fast Land Speed Record car (if you could put the right set of gears in the transaxle).
I’ve never seen one in black and it’s surprisingly fetching, except for the Garish white lettering (I’d also change the wheels, but that’s my style issue).
I’ve always wished Warren Mosler’s first Carbon Fiber Super Car could have been commercially successful long enough to have a decent amount of the Chrysler Trans-4 Turbo powered cars for enthusiasts, who only found out too late just how good they really were. However, like many things in life, it’s only when an item is no longer available that you understand its value due to its rarity.
Proof that you don’t need to be attractive to be an excellent athlete.
Mosler was the brains. The CAR was the “brainchild.”
I remember reading about these when they came out, was very keen on the “new” turbo technology, especially Chrysler’s 2.2l. Makes me wish I had $55k burning a hole in my pocket. I like that the engine is placed the “right” way. This example looks well-kept. I’d say the styling (or lack thereof) has not really changed with age, still looks functional to me.
Sorry to skew negative (I was doing so well until now), but that thing is hideous
I agree 100%. At first glance I thought it was a child’s bed converted into a car.
It was never meant to be pretty. It was designed to win races. Which it did, so handily and frequently that it got banned. What beauty there is to be found is in appreciation for that uncompromising dedication to Function and Purpose.
Actually, the Turbo II, with (coolant) modified cross-drilled, high swirl head is quite robust and can take enough boost to bend the heavier, factory T-II Connecting Rods(!) under 2 Atmospheres of boost.
What’s by really cool about this car is the drive-train “isn’t quite agricultural,” and though it’s a High Tech Carbon Fiber Monocoque, it calls to mind of the spirit of the Shelby Cobra and Sunbeam Tigers. As far as looks go, many people can’t get over the “ugliness” of the car. The fact that it’s quick and ugly is a doubly embarrassing when you get beaten by one.
If I ever have the finances and opportunity to own and steward a Consulier, I’m going to order a vanity license plate that reads ‘UGLYSTK,” reminding other drivers it’s so quick that your beautiful cars can’t catch it
Jakespeed: That is how I described my ’86 GLH-T. “It’s ugly, but it’s quick”.
Good to see another Shelby Dodge owner in the midst (I have a derelict Shelby Lancer ES #108 out on the carport). Seeing these cars makes me wish at what could have been, it only Chrysler Corp. had bought Mosler out.
Not my cup of tea, but certainly interesting, (albeit really ugly.)
Looks like the front of a Camaro and has had a kit on the rest of it. The headlight area.
I was thinking that it has a Camaro for a mom and a 280ZX for a pop.
If you want to know more about the Consulier GTP, watch this video: https://youtu.be/_y45i0Yi8oo
Showing my ignorance here never having heard nor seen o, I LOVE the looks , I’m guessing the it was rear engined seeing the fans, The interior is perfect. The price is well much worh it, and you can bet you will not see yourself coming down the street.
Although this car came out over 10 years earlier, they remind me of the look of the Daytona Prototypes.
Dodge M4S. That still looks futuristic to me. 195mph on 2.2l in the eighties. Wow.
I remember these! But is it pronounced “con-soo-lee-ay”? Or “con-soo-leer”?