Designed to last a lifetime, these cars will be hand-built at a 500 a year rate – chassis in the U.S.. body in Italy.
Seven models include two sedans, two sports cars, coupe, convertible, and limousine.
Hi Gang…
We’ve gathered quite a bit of information on the design, history, and disposition of this car, and today’s story here at Forgotten Fiberglass is the first “salvo” of many stories we will share about the “Argonaut.” It turns out the history of this car was far more interesting and complicated than the few stories that survive to this day on the internet or in books.
Let’s start our “series” with an article that appeared in the January 1959 issue of Popular Science. And away we go…
The Argonaut: $25,000 Super Car
January, 1959 Popular Science
By Herm David
Suppose you were a millionaire whose aim was to build and sell the world’s finest automobile, regardless of cost. What would such a car be like? Richard Luntz, 39 year old Cleveland industrialist, has an answer. He told a team of automotive designers to draw up plans for “the finest, most beautiful, best engineered, best powered, most comfortable, most carefully constructed and longest-lasting automobile possible.”
Two months from now the Argonaut, first car made from those designs, will be road-ready. It has:
- A tubular steel frame of high strength, and the lowest center of gravity and widest tread of any passenger car
- A handmade aluminum body
- A specially built V-8 engine
- Durable, corrosion-resistant parts
- Seven models, sports car to limosine ($22,700 to $26,993).
The Argonaut’s V-8 is a modified Chrysler marine engine. Horsepower is a secret – to enhance the car’s “dignity.” But it’s described as the most powerful ever mounted in a passenger car.
Two 12-volt batteries are connected to a high-output generator that balances full load at idling speed. Aircraft wiring is used throughout. Two electric fuel pumps supply dual carburetors from a 32 gallon tank. Transmission options include automatic or manual with overdrive.
Chassis come with a 154” wheelbase for the “state limousine,” 126 and ½ inches for other models. Frame members are five inch diameter cold-drawn seamless steel tubing with a 3/16 inch wall thickness. Front-end suspension is by torsion bars, with low-frequency semi-elliptic springs in the rear. Front and rear shock absorbers are individually adjustable from the dash.
Extra-large brake drums have brake linings of sintered iron. Twin-stage master brake cylinders give the effect of power brakes, without a power assist. Racing tires carry 35 pounds minimum pressure. Firestone Super Sports, 8.20 by 15, are used on all models but the limousine, which rolls on bigger 8.90 by 15s.
Each Argonaut chassis is shipped to Italy to be fitted with hand-crafted aluminum bodies by Touring or Bertone. So many options and extras are possible – swivel seats, TV, running water, air conditioning, bar, refrigerator and a compact office – that each car must be made to order. Waiting time: seven to nine months.
Herm David
Summary:
So much car for so much money. And while they did build the chassis and drivetrain – just one – as evidenced by the photos in the above, the body was never made – at least in Italy. More about that in a future article about the Argonaut.
Hope you enjoyed the story, and remember…
The adventure continues here at Forgotten Fiberglass.
Geoff
Hello Hassan musad,
I saw your message to the blog about your Argonaut car. I am interested in this car. Do you still have the car? Did you find any information about your car: is it an original or a kit-set?
I would very much appreciate your answer and any details you can give me about the Argonaut car. Thank you.
Does anyone have any further information about the Argonaut? Many thanks
HI
In fact I have same car argonaut . Body is fiberglass .. any one can help me about my car isn’t. Kit car or its orgenaly. Thank you
musad2002@yahoo.com
00819065562190
Japan.
I have 2 original sales brochures for this car left to me from an uncle who invested in thecompany from the begining
Hi Geoff . . . Have you learned any more information concerning the ‘ARGONAUT for sale’ advertisement that I included in my initial information that you received from me, soon after you asked me to send you info. re. Harry Heim ?
The photo with the brief description of the ARGONAUT depicted a sports car, that resonated, to me, a DECO era designed Gordon Buehrig AUBURN . . . . Harry showed body design sketches and other technical notes regarding
the chassis; he commented briefly about his travel to Ohio to confer regarding THIS vehicle. This is what I recall about what Heim shared with me when I was a sophomore at Penn State, on a weekend that I returned to Clearfield, PA.
Our mutual friend (also from Clearfield) Bill Jackson, co-authored . . . ROLLING SCULPTURE a designer and his work . . .
with Gordon Buehrig . . .
Hi Clark, this is now 8 years on and w=you may not be watching this space.
I have had an intrigue about this car since first seen in a Consumer’s Guide on American Cars in the 1970s, Are you able to share any information you gave that’s not in this Argonaut article? In 1995 I went to Blackhawk to see this car in particular but it was not there,
Thanking you in advance.
Richard
Hello Richard,
I am very interested in any further information about the Argonaut vehicle. I see Hassan said in 2017 that he had an Argonaut: I would be interested to know if he still has the vehicle.
Regards,
Evan
Very cool deign…wonder what it weighed (even before topping off the 32 gal fuel tank!)
Geoff
I d like to see an artcle or two on how the glass bodies are secured to the various frame types. Thanks! Bill Boyd
Hi Bill Boyd….here’s one story that will get you part the way there: https://www.undiscoveredclassics.com/books-magazines-and-lit/so-you-want-to-build-a-frame-for-your-glass-car-in-55-let-victress-mfg-show-you-how/
On the possibility that it will help some historian date the build process of this chassis, in the B&W photo of the Hemi, the “sidemount” air cleaner assemblies on the dual quads are the earliest production (of three types) used for the 1957 Chrysler 300C models, having a plain face stamped where they enter the tube to the carb. This type was found to create a bothersome resonance, was revised and revised again for the rest of the years production. If the engine by its serial number, and perhaps the torsion bar assemblies, were sourced from a first quarter of 1957 300C, it may aid in understanding the car.
I’ve got my check book out, where can I get a smoke for 25k? Beautiful car and concept, a Hemi too!
Thanks for the research, will be watching for more!
Regards, Ken
Wow! a 5 inch diameter frame , .187 thick, you could put a train body on that frame! I love the Hemi with duel quads, the chrome, stainless, and the ceramic coating. The body screams look at me! I’m fast, rich and beautiful. When I look at this car I think “I’m going to need a bigger garage”.
Great story.
Believe it or not, this car got even to the pages of an old period Soviet car magazine! If I still do have a proof, I will try to find it for you all!
Best regards,
Arunas
http://www.allcarindex.com
Did not even know this existed. What a brilliant looking product and name to boot (smoke!).
Thanks for sharing. A little more knowledgeable than before and looking forward to reading more about this unique car.
Am curious to see what happened and where it is now. Someone should really finish the project, it deserves to be done.
Best,
TMLS