1963 Devin C

This Devin was owned for decades by Art Evans, Bill Devin's original distributor. Art and Bill jointly entered it in vintage races including the Monterey Historics, where it was run by guest drivers Jack McAfee and Sir Stirling Moss.

The Devin SS cost around $10,000, which was expensive for many privateers. In response, Devin created the D as a less expensive alternative. The rear-engined racer was powered by either a Volkswagen or Porsche engine. Other components, such as brakes and transmission, were from Porsche and Volkswagen. The suspension was a Volkswagen unit holding the 83-inch ladder frame in place. The car was delivered as a completed vehicle or in individual components. The frame and body cost just under $900. A complete car with a Volkswagen engine costs just under $2,000, while the Porsche-powered vehicle cost about $3,355.

The Devin C (for Corvair-power) was a continuation of the Devin D. The Corvair was introduced in 1959, and Devin saw an opportunity to adapt its engine, mechanical components, and running gear to create a new vehicle. The Corvair engine was heavier, which helped in the addition of a few hundred pounds to the vehicle. A new chassis was created for the C, but it was very similar in design to the D. A collection of parts to complete the car would set a buyer back $2050. A finished product cost $4500.

The Devin C was lightweight, nimble, and rugged with power from the Chevrolet Corvair six-cylinder engine offering zero-to-sixty MPH in less than 4 seconds with a top speed in the neighborhood of 150 mph.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2014