Several companies built “era” cars like these, including Clenet, Excalibur and Stutz Blackhawk. They were typically a new car modified to look like a classic with a long hood and big headlights. This one has been parked for 20 years and is now listed here on craigslist for $8,500. It’s located in Ontario, California and thanks goes to Pat L for sending in this interesting find!
The seller describes this car as being a 1983 Cadillac Zimmer, but it should be a Mustang Zimmer. These were based on the Cougar until 1979 and then switched to Mustangs. There isn’t a title so I don’t know how the seller knows it’s an ’83. They kept the Mustang VIN because they met all the required emissions and safety rules. That dashboard looks like a 1983 Mustang to me. The seats look to be in good shape from what the picture shows.
If you’d like a 1980s Mustang with an extra long nose, this is the car for you! There are those who love the style and will think this is a good deal. We had one at the museum. It drove like a Mustang with a very long nose, so it wasn’t much fun. When our sales person finally sold it I had a T-shirt made for him that said “I sold a Zimmer” and with a picture of the car on it!
The ad has been deleted already. If there’s any justice in this world, a sink-hole opened up and swallowed this one. That is just one seriously ugly car!
Agreed……………
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyM8NVl4yBY
Answering the age old question “I wonder why they parked it” with just one look.
I will admit that the interior appears to be quite nice, and quite luxurious. I think that you’d have to agree with me that the greatest luxury derived from sitting in this would be that you wouldn’t be able to see the outside of the car!
I worked at the factory when it was built they were 72,000.00 when they were new it was a good time to be there I got to travel and do warranties on the paint since they were lacquer back then it kept me busy.
So how much were they new?
Pretty sure he just said 72,000. That’s just insane….
add some pillows in the back window and instant pimpmobile.
If you had an old Mustang that needed a new interior, I might pay a grand or so for it. I’d have to wear a ski mask to drive that car because I’d be afraid someone might recognize me.
👎I know it was a different time… but how does one come to the conclusion that buying this was a good idea? Or for that matter, fabricating it. You would think someone (many), must have a least whispered in their ear…”Pssst…hey…listen….”
Cocaine is a hell of a drug.
Maybe David, who mentioned that he worked for the factory that made them, can answer the question of what type of person bought these.
Old guys, gold chains, big bellies and comb overs.
Actually back in the day it was a cool car and the people that I remember that bought them were Roy Clark,George Forman, Leon Spinks and quite a few famous other people I am a Mustang guy considering I own 5 currently and it was not hideous as some say although not for everyone. These were what was called Neo-classic in the day and it was pretty cool to be a part of it for 3 years. If anyone has a real question I will answer it as best I can see photo of brochure from 1982 that I still have.
Thanks for the reply, David. I had a feeling that the answer would be something like that. Although expensive, they managed to sell enough of them so that you see them once in awhile. They definitely had a unique appeal back then, and obviously still do now.
Hey, didn’t Elvis have a Stutz Blackhawk or two?
He did. The Stutz was based on the Pontiac Grand Prix of the era.
I’m glad the ad has been deleted now I just wish I could delete the image of this monstrosity from my memory !!
Looks like it had Recaros in it.
clearly the original buyer of these monstrosities had more money than class. just think how much BMW, Mercedes, etc 72k would have bought in 83! Barry White owned a four door Stutz in the late 70s as I recall…
Two fender mounted spares and a continental kit. That’s classy!
Pure tire changing luxury!
It’s a Panther De Ville…… I researched one like it a while ago…….
I picked up the limo version, built on a 1986 lincoln town car, i made it a pimp mobile, ( i put cars in movies ) you never know when someone needs one!!! see unclehotrod13 for more pix
I believe there was an episode of “The Simpsons” where Homer designed a car . . .
weren’t they built in Santa Barbara, I remember they had a reunion during the big concours there. Maybe it was the Clenet
You’re thinking of the Clenet, a car built with an MG Midget body on a Lincoln chassis – in fact your photo shows some Clenets which are not Zimmers like the subject of this article.
Zimmer Motor Cars
Pompano Beach, Florida, 1980 to 1988
Like the Clénet and Excalibur, the first Zimmer Golden Spirit was sketched on a napkin, but that was its last demure moment. A Ford Mustang chassis was stretched to a 142-inch wheelbase, and the bawdy body extended 214 inches. The Golden Spirit overused every cliché, from the bevy of air horns to the padded top with landau bars. When a four-door model with optional wet bar and TV became available, Zimmer boasted, “Its impressive size and classic design guarantees (sic) special treatment always.”
I’ll take a Stutz any day, they were more of a real car than these things…..And yes Elvis had a couple…….The early 70’s Stutz is the one to have, built on a Pontiac Grand Prix chassis with a 455 and a real mink lining in the trunk, with gold plated everything on the dash……I’ve almost bought a couple, but now they’ve gone up outta my range…oh well
So atrocious it upset my stomach.
I always wondered how a standard Mustang drive train hauled these things around. Certainly the buyers preferred a leisurely pace, but I cannot imagine how utterly useless it would be trying to get anywhere in a hurry.
Hideous. Just hideous.
Imagine the stones you’d have to have to drive this to a car show. Your ego would be taking a knee to the groin every minute you stood next to this…..thing. Even my Versailles says this is ugly.
This is one of those cars where you love it or you hate it I just bought one today it has 19000 miles been in a garage since 91 the reason people don’t like these cars is they don’t know what a neo classic is if yo go back and research 1920s and 30s cars this is what affluent people drove then that’s where the big headlights running boards and long hoods come from and the big horns so if a person does not know of those type of cars from way back then for sure you won’t like them roaring 20s are where these cars originated