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Rudy Stoessel had built a solid resume working with such distinguished automakers as Pierce-Arrow, Kirchoff & Company, and as foreman for Howard 'Dutch' Darrin. This German-born artisan formed a partnership with Paul Erdos, Charlie Roxenberger and Burton Chalmers in 1939. This partnership was Coachcraft, Ltd., located on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, Ca. With their close proximity to the film industry, their list of clients would soon include many famous actors and individuals such as Clark Gable, Keenan Wynn, Al Jolson, Preston Foster, and Dick Powell.
All of the creations produced by Coachcraft, Ltd., were unique and done to the highest degree of quality. The work was easily identifiable for its clean and crisp lines coupled with stylish, handcrafted bodies and graceful fenders.
This example is known as the 'Yankee Doodle' roadster. It was built for 17-year-old Seward Allan. The rolling chassis was built by Allan with help of an instructor and students in his Palisades High School shop class. The center section of a Hudson Essex was welded to a narrow set of 1940 Ford front and rear frame rails making up the chassis. A Ford column shift transmission, Columbia 2-speed rear end, and a Ford flathead V8 made up the drivetrain.
Rudy Stoessel was commissioned to create the body. Fenders from a 1940 Mercury were used, and the graceful lines were emulated throughout the rest of the hand-crafted all-steel roadster. There are features on this car that are of Howard 'Dutch' Darrin influence, such as the V-windshield, pigskin leather cockpit, and low-swept door lines.
The bodywork cost $1,500. Allen kept the car in Los Angeles for four years; when he went overseas with the US Navy, he brought the car with him. During this time overseas, the car earned its name 'Yankee Doodle Roadster.'
Allen's service in the military was completed in 1948. Upon arriving in the US, the car was returned to the Coachcraft showroom where it was offered for sale. Ownership passed to a machinist from Valencia, California, named Ted Johnson. Johnson commissioned the legendary race-car builder Frank Kurtis to create a signature grille for the car. Other work included a reshaped hood and cowl, and a new dashboard.
The car won an award at the Third Annual International Motorama held in November 1952 at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles.
In 1984 the car was purchased by Rudy Stoessel's son Bill who kept the car for a mere four months. Ownership passed to the present owner, Larry Harvey, who put it into storage for nearly 20 years. When it emerged from storage, a complete restoration by Bob Mosier of Mosier Restoration, Inc was commissioned. It was completed in the mid-2000s.
In 2007 it was shown at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance where it was in the featured 'Cars of Coachcraft' category. That same year it was brought to the Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, California, where it was estimated to sell for $400,000 - $500,000. Sadly, the lot left the auction unsold as it failed to find a buyer willing to satisfy the car's reserve.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
All of the creations produced by Coachcraft, Ltd., were unique and done to the highest degree of quality. The work was easily identifiable for its clean and crisp lines coupled with stylish, handcrafted bodies and graceful fenders.
This example is known as the 'Yankee Doodle' roadster. It was built for 17-year-old Seward Allan. The rolling chassis was built by Allan with help of an instructor and students in his Palisades High School shop class. The center section of a Hudson Essex was welded to a narrow set of 1940 Ford front and rear frame rails making up the chassis. A Ford column shift transmission, Columbia 2-speed rear end, and a Ford flathead V8 made up the drivetrain.
Rudy Stoessel was commissioned to create the body. Fenders from a 1940 Mercury were used, and the graceful lines were emulated throughout the rest of the hand-crafted all-steel roadster. There are features on this car that are of Howard 'Dutch' Darrin influence, such as the V-windshield, pigskin leather cockpit, and low-swept door lines.
The bodywork cost $1,500. Allen kept the car in Los Angeles for four years; when he went overseas with the US Navy, he brought the car with him. During this time overseas, the car earned its name 'Yankee Doodle Roadster.'
Allen's service in the military was completed in 1948. Upon arriving in the US, the car was returned to the Coachcraft showroom where it was offered for sale. Ownership passed to a machinist from Valencia, California, named Ted Johnson. Johnson commissioned the legendary race-car builder Frank Kurtis to create a signature grille for the car. Other work included a reshaped hood and cowl, and a new dashboard.
The car won an award at the Third Annual International Motorama held in November 1952 at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles.
In 1984 the car was purchased by Rudy Stoessel's son Bill who kept the car for a mere four months. Ownership passed to the present owner, Larry Harvey, who put it into storage for nearly 20 years. When it emerged from storage, a complete restoration by Bob Mosier of Mosier Restoration, Inc was commissioned. It was completed in the mid-2000s.
In 2007 it was shown at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance where it was in the featured 'Cars of Coachcraft' category. That same year it was brought to the Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, California, where it was estimated to sell for $400,000 - $500,000. Sadly, the lot left the auction unsold as it failed to find a buyer willing to satisfy the car's reserve.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
This car was built pre-war on a Hudson Essex frame with a Ford front frame system lapped over the frame rails. 1940 Mercury fenders were modified for the car, and the body was built from scratch. The car was modified in the early 50s by Frank Kurtis, and it won the 1952 Motorama show at the Pan Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles. Called a 'full custom' by the builder, the car is not a customized car, nor is it a custom body on a Ford chassis. The car defies description. A Ford column shift transmission, Columbia two-speed rear end and a Ford flathead V8 make up the drivetrain. Rudy Stoessel of Coachcraft created the body.
It is known as the 'Yankee Doodle' roadster and is a relatively conservative-looking sports car. It was the vision of 17-year-old Seward Allen. The rolling chassis was built with the help of an instructor and students in his Palisades High School shop class.
It is known as the 'Yankee Doodle' roadster and is a relatively conservative-looking sports car. It was the vision of 17-year-old Seward Allen. The rolling chassis was built with the help of an instructor and students in his Palisades High School shop class.
2007 Gooding & Company
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $400,000-USD $500,000
Lot was not sold
Recent Sales of the Coachcraft Roadster
(Data based on Model Year 1940 sales)
Coachcraft Roadsters That Failed To Sell At Auction
1940 Coachcraft Roadster's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 Coachcraft Roadster | 2007 Gooding & Company | $400,000 | $500,000 |
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1940 Coachcraft Roadster
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1940 Coachcraft Roadster Vehicle Profiles
