1959 Devin SS Special Roadster

Bill Devin's model SS, or Super Sport, began production in 1957. They featured an imported chassis and were powered by small-block Chevrolet engines with four-wheel disc brakes and a purpose-built fiberglass body. With an overall weight of less than 2,000 lbs, the cars were nimble and fast, with zero-to-sixty taking just 4.8 seconds.

This example, chassis number DSS-001, is the prototype of the 'Second Design' American chassis SS cars. It was built in the fall of 1959 and used as a factory 'display' car. According to Devin's serial number registry book, only two more of these second-generation cars were built before production ended for good.

This example was originally delivered in 1961 to a New Yorker named Anderson. In 1969, the car was purchased for $500 as a high school graduation gift for the second owner, Terry Stokes. Mr. Stokes later rebuilt and restored the car on his own. In the late-seventies, Stokes began campaigning the car in the 'vintage racing' circuit, competing at Riverside, Terminal Island, Willow Springs, and a few of the early Monterey Historic Automobile Races. After vintage racing, Stokes would show the car at various concours, while continuing to use it as a regular driver.

On December 2nd, 1995, Stokes sold the car back to Bill Devin. The following year, Devin sold the SS to Steve Young. Young commissioned Southern California restorer and Devin expert Chris Wickersham to prepare the car for West Coast racing.

Over the next several years, Young campaigned the car at various vintage races. In 2003, the car was sold to the current owner, who continued to campaign the car predominately at CSRG and GRL events, including the Wine Country Classic and Monterey Historics. In August of 2003, the car was honored to be shown at the inaugural 'The Quail' concours in Carmel Valley, California, where it won its class, 'Post War Racing.'

Currently, the car is powered by a 327 cubic-inch Corvette overhead valve V-8 engine rated at 440 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel Girling disc brakes. The wheelbase measures a short 92 inches.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Monterey, CA sale. The car was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $325,000. Bidding reached $200,000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012