1952 Piranha Speedster - Vintage Sports Car

1959 California Special

1952 Piranha Speedster - Vintage Sports Car

Based on the styling and build quality, this fiberglass sports car was built in the early 1950s by an unknown but talented builder. We've been able to track down the history through the early 1970s when legendary hot rod builder Vern Tardel bought the car to acquire the high-level Ford Flathead V8 engine that was installed. After many years, the car was sold and went through several hands before we bought it in 2006. Ownership history before the early 1970s is unknown.

The car is similar in size to American sports cars of the day with a wheelbase of 100 inches and a track of 58 inches. When we found the car, it had a full complement of Stewart-Warner early "wing" gauges (very deteriorated) and indications of both a trunk and rear mounted spare tire. At this time, this car has been prepared for a new owner to complete the restoration more easily from a strong starting place.

In preparing the car, we removed the body from the frame, cleaned the chassis, and strengthened the body overall - both from the inside and the outside. On the inside of the body we added additional fiberglass and structural rods to keep the body panels flat and strong. On the outside, we added additional fiberglass and sealed the body with Duratec - a high quality polyester sealant. This preserves the quality of the vintage fiberglass underneath and gives a nice foundation for future work.

All fiberglass work has been professionally completed by Dave Koorey Enterprises in Port Richey, Florida. Dave's team specializes in early fiberglass sports car restorations, and is available to finish this car if needed. Final bodywork remains to create the finish desired. The car retains its original design and the well-built/modified Ford frame. Brand new whitewall tires are mounted on freshly powdercoated 16 inch Ford wire wheels.

We gave the car the name "Piranha Speedster" and asked automotive artist and designer Dan Palatnik to create renderings on how the car might look when restored with different "treatments" or appearances. The renderings of this car were seen on the TV Show "AmeriCarna" hosted by Ray Evernham in 2015 which appears on the Velocity TV channel. Several of these renderings are shown below. The Piranha Speedster is now ready for a new owner to take over the helm and steer the restoration to their liking. Dave Koorey and team are available if the new owner wishes to work with them, and the restoration could go "vintage" or "modern" depending on choices made. When completed this would be a vintage sports car one would be proud of.

American Sport Specials are coming into their own. More and more they are seen at vintage races, rallys, tours and on the fields of the finest concours in the world. Most recently a class of these sports cars appeared at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. This may be your chance to own something quite rare - an American Special -- with all the flair of European design, but with American power and at a reasonable cost.

Links of Interest:

Article: American Postwar Specials/Sports Cars - Published in the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Progam

Hagerty Valuation Guide: Glasspar

Hagerty Valuation Guide: Woodill Wildfire

Auction Results: LaDawri Conquest Sold for $57,200 at Mecum in Denver, CO - June, 2018

Auction Results: 1953 Victress S1A Roadster Bid to $150,000 at Mecum, Chicago, October, 2015

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Photos of The 1952 Piranha Speedster Being Auctioned in this Sale

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Dan Palatnik Renderings of the 1952 Piranha Speedster

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Transportation costs and arrangements from origination (Tampa, Florida) to buyer's location are the responsibility of the buyer. This car is being advertised locally and we reserve the right to end the auction at any time. People have different opinions and expectations of old cars. It is your responsibility to inspect this vehicle or send a third party inspector for your satisfaction. A $2000 non-refundable deposit is due within 48 hours of the end of the auction. Full payment via electronic/bank transfer is due no later than 7 days from the end of the auction.

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Undiscovered Classics of Tampa, Florida

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