The Sparks Turbo Limousine is a one on one built by Ron Sparks Coachbuilders inc in California L.A in 1979 to target Hollywood rich and famous .
The Sparks Turbo Phaeton is the very first car built by Ron Sparks after he left famous Clenet Coachbuilder to launch his own brand and company.
that car was supposed to go to production for a limited number of 300 in total, 150 units for the US Market 150 units for overseas market, only 50 units built annually.
the car was launch at the L.A Play Boy Club in May 1979 and for some reason the project has been stopped so only one ( prototype) was built.
This is the genuine description in the sale brochure :
The lines of the Sparks Turbo Phaeton reveal it's classic heritage. You will never see anything like it on any road.
Gold plated grille bars and chrome exhausts ,18 K precious gold plating inside and out, are just some of the highlights. From wheels to canvas top, the Sparks Turbo Phaeton is uncompromising in it's design and accomplished craftsmanship, which is part of it's singular appeal.
STANDARD APPOINTMENTS: Power steering (Nardi Tarino wood 3 branches steering wheel) power brakes, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, English leather upholstery, choice of Hard wood trim (Macassar ebony from Madagascar for my car) air conditioning, AM/FM stereo cassette, front and rear, Blaupunkt-Bosh AM/FM radio Bamberg in front, Blaupunkt-Bosh AM/FM radio 'BERLIN' model with remote control selector ( very rare and close to impossible to find today ), in rear, front and rear Glenayre 2000 telephone/ intercom system; automatic park brake release; twin trumpet horns; convertible top; canvas covered, rear removable hard top; bar with French Baccarat crystal accessories; extensive 18K gold plating, inside and out; V.D.O. clock, insert with four 1/4 K diamonds (four in total for number 12-3-6-9) V.D.O. Gauges in carved dash ,(dash made in hardwood Macassar tiger wood for my car ) ; hand-etched glass windows imported English wool carpeting throughout, matching rear seat and door panels.
SPECIFICATION: Engine 8-cylinder, 90-degree V (Cadillac) 425 cu. in. displacement 8.2 to 1 compression ratio; 3-point, rubber insulated mounts.
25 gallon fuel tank capacity. Transmission THM-400 Cadillac , 3 speed Automatic. Front suspension, independent coil Cadillac; stabilizer bar, link type; hydraulic shock absorbers. Rear suspension, coil Spring, four link drive; hydraulic shock absorbers. Brakes, self- adjusting disc-drum (Cadillac) ; dual hydraulic master cylinder Tander vacuum power booster; ventilated, caliper front brake with single sliding piston; duo servo drum brakes in rear. Frame, ladder type with welded cross member ; hand built metal body ; Wheels & tires, chrome wire wheels and white wall LR-78-15 tires. Where Base ,13 feet, 9 inches (419.1 cm). Overall length ,19 feet, 3 inches ( 5.79cm ) I bought a cover for the car and my measurement regarding the lenght was slightly different and from bumper to bumper "620 cm " .
Glass by Hand Cut Crystal Vista, CA; Woodwork by Wood & Glass of Solana Beach. CA; Chrome by Master Plating, San Diego, CA; Gold Plating by West Coast Gold & Silver, CA.
The car has been fully restored (full book with photos and receipts) it took 7 years ( 2011 to 2018 ) to do the full restoration .Huge job, lot of research as I wanted the car 100 percent original and that what I achieved . To put my hand on some accessories missing like the intercome system 4 years of research to find it , the Blaupunkt/ Bosh Berlin stereo system with remote control selector monted on an harm often called goose nec,that unit is very rare ,it took me 3 years ,the Bacarat accessories 3 years too ETC...... The car is just unbelievable to look at with all the small details like the mirrors with woman body shap mounted on the spare wheels on each side of the car,the flowers carved on the small triangle windows etc....Also I have the largest collection of genuine or original documentation ,documents, photos regarding that car ,some documents are unique like the invitation letter for the launch at the L.A. Play Boy Club in May 1979 with the car valet ticket and a white paper nap keen with the Play Boy Club logo and name of the car printed in gold for the event .
I have as a poof of authenticity a letter signed by Ron Sparks written especially for me saying the Sparks Tubo Phaeton I own is the only one ever built (This is the rare opportunity to own a ONE on ONE car for the fraction of the cost of others very rare cars and even better be the only one on that planet anywhere you go )We are in touch time to time and especially during the restoration .He has always answered great-fully to my questions and ask me to show him the evolution of the restoration . What a journey it's been for 6 years and here we are today with the car back to an exact match to what she was in 1979 .I'am proud of what i achieved and very happy to have saved Ron's first built the car of he's dreams .
In 1979 the price tag was $115,000 .That car was the prototype before starting the production and the one launch at LA Play Boy Club in 1979 where rich and famous were invited for that event.
The car is a 2 tons burgundy, dual cowls so 2 windscreens . At front the chauffeur compartment separated to the rear compartment where the owner or guess seat ,that is why the car has an intercom system to communicate with the chauffeur . Be careful to not mistake the Phaeton and the roadster (Sparks Turbo) The roadster is shorter it's a roadster and has none of the luxurious feature described above ,like Macassar wood trim from Madagascar (very rare and expensive wood not available any more as it's protected now) diamond studded clock, Gold Plated everywhere ,French Baccarat crystal bar accessories, telephone /intercom system ,the list goes on and on.The roadster was half the price of the Phaeton. The Roadster has a similar body but not stretch of-course and was a lot more affordable . Remember 1979 was the time of the oil crunch not a good time to launch an big and expensive car the Roadster has replaced the Phaeton and went to production around 1980 . Joan Collins from Dynasty bought one also Evel Kneivel but...to follow .. Sorry for my poor English, it's not my birth language.There are a lot more to say so if you are interested in my car go head contact me.
