Beschreibung:

300ci OHV Buick V-8 Engine 250bhp at 4,800rpm Single 4-Barrel Carburetor 4-Speed Manual Transmission Front Disc-Rear Drum Brakes 4-Wheel Independent Suspension *Previously owned by Apollo founder Milt Brown *Just over 4,000 original miles from new *Second to the last of the 76 cars built *A Euro-American artifact of automotive history THE APOLLO Conceived and developed by engineer and entrepreneur Milt Brown and his partner Newt Davis, together these bold automobile enthusiasts envisioned an American sports car with proven mechanicals and Italian inspired design. The Apollo GT took shape as Frank Reisner, founder of "Intermeccanica", was enlisted to be the coachbuilder, crafting the design originally penned by Ron Plescia. The prototype, a handmade aluminum shell, was formed over a Milt Brown designed steel chassis with the first series concepts revised when Reisner called upon former Bertone designer Franco Scaglione to refine the design, adding side quarter glass, and refining the body lines. The first production Apollos, the 1963 3500GT were hand-formed in steel and shipped to Oakland, California where the American V8 drivetrains and four-speed manual gearboxes were installed and prepared for display at Brown's dealership, International Motorcars of Oakland. With a claimed top speed of 130 mph and a starting price of $6,000, the Apollo 3500GT was well-received by the automotive press. The lightweight Buick aluminum V8 engine suited Brown's original design and offered GM reliability with top performance capabilities. Although the company eventually released a convertible and upgraded the engine selection to the five-liter 5000GT, by mid 1965 the company faced too many financial challenges and had to shut down production. International Motorcars sold 76 Apollo GT coupes, very few of which were the desirable 5000GT models, built later in the production run. The Apollo was highly influenced by contemporary Italian designs of the 1960s with curvaceous front fenders, long hood, and engine placement nested deep into the cowl. Brown insisted on this mid-engine layout, with most of the weight sitting toward the middle of the car, similar in layout to the Cobra, with the driver's seat being very closely positioned to the rear axle. The fastback roof and sweeping glass delivered a unique visual signature that conveyed a dynamic and elegant profile – a uniquely American car with stunning execution, being among the last to be constructed within the master traditions of great Italian coachbuilding. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED This particularly handsome Apollo, chassis #1074, is among the very few original examples extant today. Showing just 4,000 documented original miles, finished in the correct factory color, and displaying nearly all the original interior, original drivetrain, and Borrani wire wheels, the car was also formerly owned by Apollo founder Milt Brown. In addition to being a factory original low-mile car, it is also believed to be the only Apollo painted this color, and the second to last Apollo constructed before the company concluded production. After delivery to the first owner, the car remained largely unused, stored indoors, preserved by the dry Southern California climate, for 35 years. Though in need of mechanical refreshing, the condition and originality were worthy of recommissioning and thoughtful detailing to a high level. In 2009, the car was repainted the correct factory color, retaining the original door jamb paint and other areas still finished in the factory original green color. By 2004, Milt Brown purchased #1074, finding it to be in superb condition, enough to confidently generate a letter to the next owner in 2004 confirming the originality of the car, the finishes, interior, and various features. In 2006, the car was consigned to Fantasy Junction, with just 1,300 miles indicated on the odometer, as documented by Milt Brown under his ownership. Today, showing 4,008 original miles currently indicated on the odome