Vehicle Description
In the new frontier of American sports car racing in the early
1950s, Bill Devin was a tremendously influential character who
played a significant role in developing our home-grown sports car
market. Devin was a talented engineer and an active participant in
motorsports - graduating in short order from a 1949 Crosley to a
Ferrari 166MM Touring Barchetta. As an engineer, he was an
innovator - creating the first belt-driven overhead-cam automobile
engine in 1955 - but he never patented it! Devin also had a keen
eye for style and design, and he found particular success with his
popular line of Eurpean-style lightweight fiberglass sports car
bodies, which budding racers could purchase on their own or in kit
form to fit virtually any chassis from Crosley to Corvette to
Bandini. Devin progressed from producing bodies alone to selling
purpose-built turn-key sports cars and home-built kits. The
ultimate Devin was the front-engine S.S. which featured a tubular
chassis designed by Bill Devin, Noel Hillis, and Malcolm MacGregor.
The S.S. was a brutal machine with small-block Chevrolet power, de
Dion rear axle, and carefully selected off-the-shelf chassis
components. Devin later offered the VW/Porsche-based Devin D and
the Corvair-powered Devin C, becoming one of the first American
tuners to take advantage of the revolutionary new Chevy's
performance potential, pairing the air-cooled flat-six with a
featherweight chassis. Most of Devin's production consisted of the
so-called "Devin Specials" - the home-built cars using Devin bodies
atop myriad chassis. Our featured example is one such car, known as
the "Gary Special," after its builder and first owner, James Gary.
While titled as a 1957, it is believed the body is from 1955 and
was fitted to a Triumph TR3 chassis. James Gary entered the car in
several West Coast SCCA events, often with Donald McQuilken doing
the driving duties. By the early-mid 1960s, the Devin had changed
hands and made its way to Chicago, where it continued racing and
evolving. The early Triumph chassis was updated to a stronger TR4
type, and it is believed that around this time, the car first
received a Buick 215 V8 engine, transforming it into a formidable
track weapon. By the late 1960s, the Devin was in Canada,
eventually finding its way to Nova Scotia, where it was discovered
in the early 2000s. After being repatriated, it was completely
restored and extensively updated for fast road/rally use. The Buick
V8 was replaced with a similar Rover-spec unit, updated to 4.1
liters, or about 250 cubic inches. Twin side exhausts and beefy,
double-laced 72-spoke chrome wire wheels with 225-section tires
give the Devin a tough and purposeful stance. Also part of the
restoration was the addition of a custom instrument panel, placing
a speedometer and fabulous Breitling chronograph ahead of the
co-driver. Overall, the restoration is finished to a high standard,
and the beautiful Devin body wears outstanding paintwork and plenty
of racy, period-style details. Road equipment includes headlights,
taillights, and turn signals, while twin aero windscreens and
rollover hoops provide a modicum of protection for the driver and
co-driver. The cockpit is trimmed in black upholstery, with neat
Devin-embroidered headrests and four-point harnesses. The soft trim
is crisp and tidy, showing virtually no signs of use. Beneath the
clamshell bonnet sits the 4.1-liter Rover V8, supplied by leading
aluminum V8 specialists D&D Fabrications of Almont, Michigan.
The engine is equipped with Offenhauser valve covers and intake
manifold, MSD ignition, and a chrome alternator, and is backed by a
4-speed T-10 manual. With a curb weight of approximately 1600
pounds, the Devin is thrilling to drive, with sharp handling and
abundant horsepower. With its exotic, Italianate bodywork and
robust American V8 heart, this beautiful Devin S is an exciting
prospect for rallies, canyon carving, and turning heads at your
local Cars & Coffee events. Please note car is sold on a Bill of
Sale. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details
please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7512-1957-devin-s/