But who or what was Devin?
Devin Enterprises was an American car manufacturer that was / existed between 1955 and 1964. The brand was best known for producing high-quality fiberglass bodies sold as kits, but they also produced car accessories and complete cars. The company was founded by Bill Devin.
From a bankruptcy, Devin bought ten Panhards without bodywork. And he molded his first cars around it. After gaining experience in making complete fiber optic bodies with the Devin-Panhards, Devin Enterprises continued with that apparently promising idea. The brand did not choose the easiest way to create a 'universally suitable' body.
Customization for every brand
The Devin bodies were not a simple one-piece shape. Instead, an assortment of 50 molds of different sizes and individual parts were used. They could be assembled in different ways to create one of 27 possible 'sizes' for a 'custom' body. This allowed the company to produce bodies suitable for a wide range of undercarriages, from the ultra-small Crosley, through the MGs, Triumphs and Healeys to American car brands. And it didn't matter whether those chassis of cars with the engine were in the front or in the back. Later the brand also supplied its own ladder chassis.
A unique find: a Devin Auto Union
Devin started with Panhard, but, as stated, provided 'custom work for every brand'. And then we come to the Devin on the photos we saw at Potomac Classics in Terborg. It is doubly unique. Firstly, it is a shed find and secondly, the car is technically an Auto Union SP1000. Despite its condition, where 'patina' is clearly a very friendly description of the case, the original quality of the polyester work is still clearly present. And the fact that the bodywork is made of polyester and that the technology of the Devins was generally not too exotic is the restoration of such a find not witchcraft.
Classic kitcars get their recognition
What were seen for years as 'plestik bastards' have now turned out to be serious classics. In addition, these cars should not be things that one someone has ever put together in a drafty shed. And we don't see a huge run or increase in value for Bugatti's and Lotus Sevens on VW Beetle undercarriages. Strangely enough, the FT (Fiber Technic) Bonitos on a VW chassis based on the Ford GT are an exception. But we dare say that Chevrolet Corvettes are no longer the only polyester cars that can have a serious price tag. At Sotheby's, a Devin - with racing history - sold for $ 247.500.
There could be a gain
Someone recently bought a Devin 'kitcar' at an auction. That was a good purchase. Because under the deteriorated, incomplete plastic was a Ferrari 340 America chassis. Lame enough without an engine, but in terms of number with LeMans history. The restoration of the Devin did not happen. And with the proceeds from the sale of the chassis, the man who has since become the former owner has been able to do very nice things.
