The Zimmer Golden Spirit is a car that needs little in the way of an introduction, representing one of the peaks in the neoclassical revival era that impacted the collector car and truck world in a big way. From celebrities lining up to plunk down a hefty deposit to well-heeded retirees heading to Boca and looking to travel in style, the Zimmer Golden Spirit represents a bygone era in the world of collector cars. Find this project-grade example here on eBay where bidding is at $2,450 with the reserve unmet.
I’ve felt for a while that there’s steady drumbeat of buyers willing to take on a project like this, if for no other reason than the acknowledgement these were built to a higher level of quality than a DIY kit car. There’s a tendency to assume anything resembling a 1930s-era vehicle is a cheap kit built on a VW Beetle frame, but this is certainly not the case with a Zimmer that was actually produced in a factory for consumers with a decent amount of disposable coin. The seller’s car clearly has some rough edges, and he acknowledges he won’t be getting to this project.
The best part about the Zimmer is the Recaro interior that came standard. This Recaro seat design is one of the more sought-after models for 1980s car enthusiasts, and it wouldn’t surprise me to learn someone is bidding solely for the chance to remove the seats and junk the rest of the car. Hopefully, that isn’t what happens, because the Zimmer appears to be a worthwhile project in overall decent shape despite the multiple years of inactivity. The seller is including new leather to restore the seats along with a replacement dash.
The other “win” with a project like this is the cheap and basic replacement parts (despite its exotic shell.) Assuming it’s not a super rusty underneath, the Zimmer shouldn’t need too much sorting to become a runner again, especially with that familiar 5.0L V8 under the hood. I personally feel like these are smart cars to buy at the moment, as their star is slowly rising and the perception of being a silly exercise in wanton excess fading away. Do you think this Golden Spirit will be restored – or should it be?
I worked at the factory in Pompano beach from 1980-1983 it was a good time with great people the cars were over the top but they were worthy of someone with the means to spend 72,000 and up in early 80’s money. Not my taste but they had a following back then.
I worked at Clenet in Santa Barbara, CA about the same timeframe. I can report a similar employment experience to yours while I was there. Not my taste in cars, but there was/is a lot of pride in building a hand-built, high quality product to exacting standards. And, yeah, the crew was a bunch of amazingly talented crazies who were fun to work with (a co-worker regularly showed up at 6 am with wet hair- he had been out surfing already). A bygone era.
The leisure suit of the automotive world. Yeah. These will come back in style.
I always thought that they were built off the Thunderbird chassis but this add says the fox body mustang either way it looks like someone kept JC Whitney in business buying up all the chrome 70s stuff. Personally I think the current bid of $2500 is what its worth in this condition I would only buy it to parts. Engine and trans then I would mount those horns under my truck. The rest would be sold off on evil bay or some other parts auction site that wouldn’t be embarrassed to have it listed.
A lot of these types of conversions were based off a Cougar because of the formal roofline.
Take a look at the windshield and doors. Mustang all the way.
I’ve seen them based off both cars, but this one is definitely Mustang.
I’ve always liked the Zimmer and I like the style it has.
I’m too old to take this on, but I hope someone that has the time (and money) to fix this one up.
Please either push it back into the barn or put a brick on the accelerator and aim it for Florida.
I actually snorted at that comment.
I hated these cars when they were produced. I always ask WHY? they started disassembly on the dash. I can think of a half dozen other places to start. Love to see one in a Demo Derby. It won’t last long.
Did the mice get the harness like they did to my sister-In-law new MB 300. She owned for 3 months. Insurance company totaled it with 3700 miles on it.
All she needed was a cat! I wonder if they are an option.
Perhaps she installed a “cat bypass” pipe…
Meow! I resent that, goodsir…