The Zimmer Golden Spirit is a neoclassic automobile. And what is that you ask? It’s a modern car made in the image of the classic rides of the 1920s and 1930s but not as a full replica. Underneath, the car is some version of today’s auto. The Zimmer Golden Spirit was the pinnacle of neoclassic cars and the company’s flagship between 1978 and 1988 when about 1,500 of them were built. This one has been off the road for 13 years and needs some TLC. Now in St. Marys, Georgia, this interesting “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” ride is available here on craigslist for $19,900. Rocco B. comes through with another interesting tip!
Zimmer Motorcars was founded in 1978 and changed hands among family members over the years. They’re still in business today, putting together 10-20 custom automobiles and 10–20 tricked-out trucks each calendar. Rumor has it that the idea for the Golden Spirit came from doodles on a cocktail napkin at a dinner party. Although the exteriors and interiors of the Golden Spirit were custom-made, they originally used a stretched Ford Mustang chassis and stock drivetrain. We assume that’s what’s below the seller’s car as no photos of that area are provided.
Forty years ago, if you had $60,000 to spare you could buy one of these machines. Their price tag is said to have ballooned to $175,000 today. From the seller’s description, a 5.0-liter V8 is under all the lavish trappings somewhere, along with an automatic transmission. We’re told the car runs and drives, but the seller doesn’t say how well these things are done since it’s been hidden away for more than a dozen years. The odometer reading is shy of 45,000 miles, suggesting it was sparingly used before that. Chances are it will need to spend a few days with your mechanic to bring it up to proper specs.
The body and paint look fine, especially the Recaro interior with a Nardi steering wheel. One of the inside photos shows some sort of blemish on the headliner about the rear seat, but we can’t make out what that is. These cars were built to the buyer’s specifications, so someone wanted this Zimmer exactly the way you see it since the seller says the vehicle is 100% original. If Robin Leach were still alive, would he want to go for a ride in a Zimmer like this?
That’s a hummer of a Zimmer.
I forgot about the Zimmer, another of what I call, the Excalibur wannabes. Got to admit, pretty close, and probably delivers the same experience, you know same stuff, different shovel,,as said, imitation the sincerest form of flattery, so not all bad here. Since I like the Excalibur, this is about as much an equivalent , only for the Ford fans, as you’ll get. $20gs seems like a bargain for a car like this, no? Cool find.
nope.
And, you get to explain to everyone who asks. That it’s not what you think. I never understood why anyone would drive these things. I guess the same guys who wore the white patent leather shoes, Sans-A-Belt trousers, and the comb over.
It is obvious that alcohol was heavily involved in the concept and design of this vehicle.
I know a pimp who’d like to buy this…
I’m not a pimp, but I’ve always liked these cars… looks like a classic from the old days, but has a modern engine, etc… if I had the money and the space, I’d grab this one.
Methinks no barn finder member would be caught dead driving this thing!
There was the owner of a construction company in town that must have owned 2 or 3 of these things. I would see it at times and think it makes no difference if you have money or not this thing just scream ugly beyond words.
Not true Jack. You might catch me driving it. On my way to this place.
If I could get in it, I would drive it.
They make cars far too small for me to buy virtually anything.
Others look at style, performance or any multiple reasons.
I have only one wish, can I get in it? can I drive it?, beyond that I just don’t care.
At present the only vehicles I can get into are Russian and I know precisely which models without going custom built which I have had to do in the past.
A “Hugee Bear” special… Purple felt hat with long bird feather, leather duster and spats. What’s not to like? (Not such a good look for the wifey though).
I think the zimmer is based on a ———–Fiero by Pontiac
You’re thinking of the Zimmer Quicksilver, totally different model by the same builders.
Golden Spirit is Fox body Mustang. QuickSilver is based on a Fiero. Learn more at ZimmerRegistry.com
That’s a flower vase with a reading light behind it on the headliner.
Ugly then, ugly now. Then, as now, put a large price tag on something and smug rich people will knock down the doors to purchase things just because they can and most of us can’t. In this case, the poorer people were smarter.
If you want a lot of attention, but for all the wrong reasons.
I worked at the factory from 1980 to 1983 and it was a cool thing to be a part of. They were austentatious but we had some big names that purchased them. Roy Clark and Leon Spinks also Gerorge Forman and many others. It was not for the masses but back then it had a certain appeal. I had been sent out to Las Vegas to repair 7 of them that got abused by a dealer and we were lucky enough to drive them while we were there they made you feel like you were someone special.
Crows Nest Pete
Does anyone see that it has a vague look of a ’32 STUTZ DV 32 from the front? Must be the scotch haze talking then!