1957 LaDawri Conquest

1957 LaDawri Conquest

1957 LaDawri Conquest

"The single unbroken line swirling from the two frontal air intakes...peaks the front fender extremities, sweeps down the profile, juts over and around the rear wheel opening and finishes nicely in two relating shapes on the rear....This unbroken line, combined with the sweep of the windshield that leads the eye around the passenger compartment, up and over the rear fender shape, creates a pleasing overall package..." excerpt from July, 1957 Road & Track Magazine

What a way to start a car company - on the cover of Road & Track Magazine in July, 1957. That's how much Les Dawes, the founder of LaDawri Coachcraft, impressed John Bond who owed Road & Track Magazine, and the the lines of this car continue to impress today. From 1957 to 1965, approximately 100 Conquest sports cars and bodies were built. Few remain.

For Auction Today

This Conquest still retains its original paint with great patina. While the original builder is unknown, we've been able to trace its history back via documentation to the 1980s in Michigan where it was purportedly owned by Tom Monaghan of Domino's Pizza, and was part of his museum collection in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It stayed in Michigan until recently when it was acquired and relocated to Tampa, Florida.

Once in Florida, we removed the body from the chassis (shown in photos below) cleaned it and remounted the body along with re-installing the hood, trunk and doors so they hinged as originally built. The body has interesting mods by the original builder which include recessed turn signals on front and rear - four of these uniquely place at lower rear of car. It includes some nice custom work on the dashboard too. The car has no drivetrain and is sold "as-is."

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

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

Hagerty Valuation Guide: Glasspar

Hagerty Valuation Guide: Woodill Wildfire

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Vintage Photos Related to LaDawri Coachcraft

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Les Dawes Shown With His Prototype LaDawri Conquest in 1956

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Photos From The 2007 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance of a Restored LaDawri Conquest

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Joan Dawes (wife of Les Dawes) Shown With LaDawri Conquest at 2007 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

George Barris (friend of Les and Joan Dawes) Shown With LaDawri Conquest at 2007 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

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Shown Below Are Photos of The 1957 LaDawri Conquest Being Auctioned in this Sale

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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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Offered By

Undiscovered Classics of Tampa, Florida

"We Find, Research, Restore, Show and Sell America's Lost Automotive Treasures"

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