The wonderful thing about old race cars is that they were basically cheap, throwaway vehicles at one time, but now command a high premium due to scarcity. In rare cases, these glorified kits become even more desirable when equipped with an engine from the period in which it was raced that has taken on new significance in the modern collector market. In the case of this 1959 Devin D, it was built with Porsche components when new, including brakes, an engine, and gauges from a 356. The seller acquired with the car with the engine in pieces and has since installed a healthy 356 Super engine, and fixed the only rust in the battery tray. Find it here on eBay with bidding at $28,800 with the reserve unmet.
According to the seller, the Devin weighed 500 pounds less than the Porsche Speedster of the day, which led to many hot-shoe Devin drivers finding ways to embarrass the “superior” sports car on the track. While the Devin chassis could accept a Volkswagen or Porsche engine, the original builder of this car chose to go the Porsche route. Other additions include the Porsche steel wheels that it still wears today, along with what looks like the OEM badges seen here on the engine lid. Sure, it’s bit overzealous to actually label a Devin a Porsche, but I can appreciate it given it was built in period to be the closest thing to a 550 Spyder without actually being one. The 356 Super engine is a major bonus, and I’m mildly surprised the seller is throwing it into the deal.
Of course, maybe he’s one of the few sellers these days who actually enjoyed his project before putting it up for sale. It’s even more shocking to think he had a spare Super engine sitting on the shelf just waiting to drop into a new project. The Devin wears its patina proudly, and despite looking a bit rough, the seller claims the fiberglass body is in good shape with no major damage. The only rust spotted was in the battery tray, which has since been cleaned up and welded. The Devin also retains its original racing buckets, Volkswagen fuel tank, racing windscreen, and Porsche-stamped brake drums.
I love those seats – they’re just awesome. The seller reports that despite the overall completeness, it still has some more sorting needs before it’s road-worthy. This includes tackling the brakes that need to be rebuilt , lines plumbed, master cylinder rebuilt, and related work associated with being able to stop. As the seller notes, this is a great candidate to restore mechanically and leave the roughshod cosmetics as-is, but it’s also solid enough to justify a proper restoration. Bidding likely isn’t over yet for this period-correct race car – do you think the reserve is set at $30,000 or higher?
A Devin bodied car with all the pieces included! It looks to be a well designed and built chassis under the body and the finned 356B brakes really kick off the race car aspect of the car. I’d say this one is going to be bid a good bit higher than it is now. Great find!
Whoever buys this will know what they are doing. It deserves a good price.
With rear swing axels and no roll cage, this should only be used for parades.
needs some canvas straps a la Renault R8 / R10 on the side shafts to prevent positive camber at the back in extremis.
That’s really up to the purchaser! Pre-’60 doesn’t require a roll bar/belts, or anything. That’s the way they were built and enjoyed back in the day. If you want safety, go and buy a Prius!
Yes yes oh yes…I’d love this! Why would anyone buy one of those VW based replicar Speedsters when you could grab this, make it roadworthy and have the time of your life. A Devin is a true VW/ Porsche Special not some wannabe. I’d be very tempted to fix the brakes give it a thorouigh going over with my mechanic , Mark at Anton’s in Sonoma who just rebuilt my 912 motor and front suspension on the 56A..spruce the inteerior up a little and head for the twisties.Did I say I love this? Seems a bargain at that price as the motor alone is worth about $8,000.
Are there any log books with the car.?
Would be nice if it did have the credentials to race SVRA.
Reserve still not met at $30,900. I’ll be watching it for curiosity purposes.
This really is a great find. Would love to have been able to bid for this. Quite drawn to this car, love it!
John… In the era it was built it would be racing in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). It was shortly after the ’50s that a hoop was required in back of the driver in case of a rollover but even that doesn’t look that safe to me. The camber issue is an easy one. What they call a Z Bar bolted to the transaxle reversed the geometry and negated the positive camber aspect of the suspension. Another way was to decamber the rear about 6 degees and then install adjustable shocks for fine adjustments. The car pictured could take corners under full power and stuck like it was on rails. It used the second method of modification.
bobhess,
The 50’s is when rules, classes and regulations were being thought of and added to for an actual SCCA guide book.
1959 Riverside Race, held/sectioned by 5 racing organizations came to a head with the new National Level of the SCCA becoming dominant after 8 years of fighting.
Just came back from the vintage SVRA races in Ny, Watkins Glen. Have a car that needed special permission to be allowed in..
The car is a factory backed werks car, why we got it done.
That’s why I asked about log books and docs for the car, without them and no documented race history it will be near impossible, as 5,000 other cars want the same.,
The national level of the SCCA was formed in Chicago, not by Wacker though. It was by a group of rich and influential business men,
Two of whom were in the first Edition of “Sports Illustrated for racing coverage and also stock holders and designers of Road America.
Respectfully,
John
Didn’t look at this car as being raced in SVRA at any time. My rule book doesn’t include any allowances for ’50s cars with no safety equipment. I was pleasantly surprised to see a complete car from that era at all as so many of the race oriented cars wound up in junk yards. Saved two of them myself but know of lots of them that were lost. Certainly agree the car would raise in value with a racing history, or any history at all for that matter. Thanks for the SCCA history.
Bobhess,
You are more than welcome sir.
I can see that you do understand the early days of racing.
Not by want, but had to research and document a car over a 32 years span, and it highly involved AAA, FIA and SCCA,
Long story.
I found a late 1930’s guide book for drivers while researching. Really hilarious as most was talking about your temperament while driving and if you angered yourself with other drivers.
BTW, really cool car, Devin & Porsche = awesome.
Maybe a handful in the world ?
I would imagine that there are other race organization venue’s that the car could possibly qualify for.
I personally would stress that it was “BEING RACE PREPPED” by design as my main plea and cause > just a thought.
respectfully,
John
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