Who knows why guys decided to build their own cars in the 1950s! Of course, the availability of fiberglass incited considerable creativity, but still, it took a special person to tread that path – cobbling together a brand-new car from a bit of this and a bit of that. And not all attempts were well-conceived. It’s one thing to plop a body on a chassis/drivetrain and call it good, but Salvatore Salerno took a more sophisticated approach. His one-off special utilized a TR2/3 chassis and suspension, a Willys Hurricane engine, and an altered Devin body. Salerno began construction in 1959 and photographed most of his progress; completing the car took a decade. More than five decades after the Salerno Special first rolled a tire on pavement, it’s for sale after accumulating a few concours awards with its latest caretaker, Geoff Hacker of Undiscovered Classics. Its title corresponds to the 1959 Triumph donor car. Thanks to Mitchell G. for finding this unusual car for us!
We can wonder why Salerno didn’t use a Triumph TR3 engine in his special. The listing alludes to similar horsepower from the 1952 Willys 161 cu. in. in-line six – coming in at 90 ponies – but better torque. I think it might have been a matter of fit. The Salerno’s Willys engine is placed behind the front axle. Its carb is mounted up top by the firewall. The TR3 has those pesky SUs hanging off its right-hand side. Meanwhile, the hood of the special is markedly sloped to the radiator. Aside from a potential fit issue, Salerno would have seen other makers using the Willys Hurricane, including the Woodill Wildfire and the Multiplex 186. (Anyone know one other more common car that was equipped with a Willys after a merger?) Gear changes are via a Borg Warner three-speed manual with overdrive fitted on the shift lever and actuated with a button. The electrical system is 12v.
The interior is fitted with slender seats, a grab handle, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel. Salerno sectioned the Devin’s body to increase its length and depth, maximizing the space in the cabin without ruining the lines of the car. The front end of the car tilts up away from the windshield, easing mechanical access. A custom tonneau provides weather protection when parked, but no top or side curtains were ever fitted.
The Salerno Special’s rear is slightly awkward with those large frenched tail lights and ungainly transition from the trunk lid downward. But the vestigial fins are attractive and the wire wheels are entirely suitable. If you have a yen for collecting the unusual, this special is listed here on eBay with a buy-it-now price of $44,900 or best offer. It can be retrieved from Tampa, Florida. How does this American special compare with others you have seen?
Nice build. Noticed his use of the Porsche 914 seats without the headrest. In some of the cars we’ve built or rebuilt we use the 914 seats to get headrests into them. I too wonder about the engine choice as the Triumph engines had a lot of power and torque and would break 100 mph. Only thing I see that’s not up to par is the fat framework on the windshield.
I wondered whether it might have a rollbar built into it, but it looks to be mostly padding – which could be removed, I suppose.
The windshield and the rear end need a re-do.
So does the price.
Agree with Mike. Before even seeing his comment, my first two thoughts were find a better windshield, and completely rebuild that rear end. Get rid of those big rectangles – smooth everything out and fit some small – round taillights.
They don’t look like wire wheels. Wire wheel hub caps, maybe?
Hurricane 6 was a flathead if I remember correctly. The engine in the picture is an OHV 4. Looks like a Triumph engine ? What gives here?
I just corrected my thoughts on this engine. The Willys Hurricane is a 4cyl “F head”
Judging by the doors, windshield, and flip-forward hood, he must have been influenced by the Jaguar XK-E. Those 914 seats weren’t around until late 1969, so if they’re original, it did indeed take him 10 years to build the car.
“Who knows why guys decided to build their own cars in the 1950s!” Why? Because a lot of GI’s returning from the war overseas came back with engineering and mechanical knowledge along with exposure to European design and wanted to create something unique for themselves. Hence, one-off sports cars, customs, and hot rods were born. If not for them, we might not have the car culture we do today. They were the pioneers and their creations, however out of date or silly looking today, should be preserved. JMO.
Interestingly, Devins are on track to be built again here in Washington State. Hopefully the enterprise gets off the ground. 🤞🏻
Seems odd, the actual current owner of the Devin mark is in Pennsylvania and producing products there. His web site is at Devin Sports Cars.
Very interesting. I’ve known one of the principles in the new venture for several years, I seriously doubt that he’s telling me a fairy tale. (Even offered me a position)
I appreciate the heads up, and will definitely attempt to locate the web site. Thank you.
$44,900 seems high, but so did the $44 for a belt for my riding mower!
time-less style, no?
A JZ motor implant? Suspension, steering, brake improvements?
Possibly as is for higher re-sale? IDK as this is my first, delicious
peek at 1 of these…
Apparently, Mr. Salerno didn’t know much about maritime history. It’s always been considered extremely bad luck to name a boat after yourself. The same applies to automobiles. (Yes, I include Ford in this).
Evidently Olds, Chrysler, Dodge Bros., Ferrari, Porsche, Devin, Bricklin, Toyoda, Shelby, Durante, etc., etc. didn’t know either-
Well, this little oddity looks to be a car and not a boat …
I think the asking price was helped by the fact that it is a 2024 Amelia Island Concours winner.