One of the more intriguing sports cars created in the 1960s is the Apollo GT, a limited production model offered with Italian styling and domestic horsepower. There was a time when I would venture to say this striking two-door offered in fastback and convertible form was somewhat underappreciated, or at least not highly respected by the collector car marketplace. These days, the price tag has gone up despite the obscurity, and it’s of little surprise that this 1963 Apollo GT listed here on craigslist is shown parked with a variety of other exotics in what looks like a very nice garage.
The Apollo may look familiar, and that’s because it was designed by Italian styling house Intermeccanica. The company was responsible for a number of exotic GT designs, and the Apollo clearly channels influences from other exotics of the period. Although it was clearly an alternative to models from Ferrari and Aston Martin of the day, the company was always a bit of a rogue operator and as such, financing was a struggle. The price tag was around $6,000 in the middle 60s, which works out to a little over $60,000 in today’s dollars, which was hardly a cheap purchase for a company that was fledgling at best.
Still, you can’t deny that the finish work wasn’t of a decent quality. This was not kit car when all was said and done, and the assembly process was complex. The first run was manufactured in Italy before being sent to California to have the Buick V8 installed in the bodies. Over the years, as new financial backers were sought in varying phases of capitalization, the production process changed along with the name of the model itself. The history of the Apollo is not as long and varied as the likes of Avanti, but it’s also not all that different in terms of looking for new backers over the years to keep the dream alive.
The Buick V8 was a very respectable powerplant, pushing out a healthy 225 b.h.p. paired to a 4-speed manual gearbox. For fans of the Disney franchise Herbie the Love Bug, you may recall that the best movie of the series featured David Tomlinson driving an Apollo GT as the VW’s main opponent in a series of road races. The Apollo always sounded amazing and looked even better, and there’s little doubt in my mind that even at today’s prices, the Apollo is still an excellent value compared to a Ferrari or Lamborghini of the same era. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find.
This car in yellow with black stripes was the Thorndyke Special in the first Love Bug movie with Herbie the VW.
I thought this car looked very familiar when I saw the opening image. And sure enough Jeff confirmed it in his write up as the Thorndike Special. I loved the Herbie movies as a kid growing up. I Didn’t lnow much at all about that car until reading this. Very nice job Jeff and great find Tony Primo!!! I enjoyed it. I had no idea these were Buick powered.
Now I have the Herbie music going on in my head.
In the early ’80s our shop was the shop that the local Lotus and other special cars dealer used to get cars ready for sale. A bright red Apollo was part of that group of cars that they sent over to be detailed. After picking up the car the owner took it out to play with on the street and got the nose wiped off by a big station wagon. Hated to see that happen to a great looking car but after giving them the numbers on what it was going to cost them they hauled the car off and we never saw it again. Always thought they were great looking cars and still do.
In the early/mid-60s, it was very rare to see a V8 pull more horsepower than cubes. I think GM, specifically Chevy, dominated that, but this small 215c.i. Buick did that with 225 hp, which puts it in the league of a ’63 fuelie Vette 327/375, for example, and a few others!
215 aluminum engine
A shame this one is equipped with an automatic. The seller states that he also has an Apollo ‘vert. They only made 11 of those!
There was only 1 Apollo 3500 Gran Turismo( thats the name on the serial number plate) that was equipped with automatic transmission, for a 1 legged Doctor.
I think you forgot to tell us the price, Jeff. $150,000.
The seller said he was never going to sell the ride. He will get his wish at $150,000.
There was actually 88 total cars built. Eleven roadsters a seventy seven coupes.I had # 72 and sold it last year. It was on Barn Finds.Great cars!
What dis you sell the car for Tom?
Did you fet a chance to enjoy the car for a few drives I hope. You probably turned a profit for the price you got it from Troy huh?
“I would never sell this”. Yet here it is for sale????? Seems the seller is confused.
$150,000??? Rare does not always equal big money. To be fair, I don’t know anything about these but I’m just not feeling 150K. That’s not to say that I may be way wrong.
From some angles it resembles a Datsun 240Z. I wonder if the Japanese thought “hmmm, we could mass produce that sucker!”
The 1964 Cougar II is a lot rarer.
Seems like a fair price and it gives me the inspiration to complete 1008 and 1064. These cars are a blast to drive, with a 55 mph 1st gear, yes 55 ! Just like the road and track shift points show.
I logged 30k miles in 1 year driving 1008 as my daily driver ! Mike Gulette took a you tube video up hwy 9 afer I appeared at the Good Guys show in Pleasanton. Mike was in shock to see it there. Lol
Tuning the 4gc carb is tricky. The key is to adjust for maximum float drop, use the top gasket with windows in it so the floats can reach maximum height traveling into the lid. 😉
My buddy made me an adapter plate for a Holley 650 to mount to the stock manifold, turns that 215 onto a beast.
That 215 is a good engine, I’ve redline it to 7500 a few times.
Just make sure you vacuum impregnate the block with Wax if you rebuild one. one step the Buick engineers missed !! Otherwise the blocks sweat out oil. Wax impregnation is the key.
Actually, Chevrolet started building motors with more HP than cu. in. in ’57 with the injected 283. After that there were plenty others, 348/350, 327/ 340,350,365 & 375, 396/425, 409/425, &.427/430.