The world's only Buick Exemplar 1 is put up for sale (38 photos)

A car built in a single copy in 1967 was put up for auction. The machine with the laconic name Exemplar 1 is distinguished by the widespread use of parts made of copper, brass and bronze. There are still 3 days left until the end of the auction, and the bid has already reached $200,000.





Copper, brass and bronze were widely used in cars in the early days of the automobile industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Then they were supplanted by cheaper, more widespread and technologically advanced materials. The Copper Association decided to remind the auto industry about its products in the 1960s.

The first car on the extended Shelby Cobra chassis was built in Italy in 1964. It attracted attention, but did not lead to an increase in orders for copper and brass. A few years later, the attempt was repeated, creating Exemplar 1, which is now up for sale.

The Buick Riviera Gran Sport, a completely new model at that time, was taken as the basis. The project was implemented by Carrozzeria Coggiola from Turin. She designed and manufactured a completely new body. An interesting solution is the spare wheel located in front of the radiators and engine. The car was shown to the general public at the New York Motor Show in 1968.

As you can see in the photographs, a lot of the prototype parts are made of copper, brass and bronze. These are not only interior and exterior decor, but also functional elements. In particular, these are various pipes, radiators, and brake rotors.

Unfortunately for the authors of the project, the second attempt to interest the auto industry did not work either. After a two-year tour of various US cities, they wanted to destroy the prototype. He was saved by one of the customers, who kept the car for decades. Now, after his death and undergoing a complete restoration, she is looking for a new owner.