For Sale
1959 Salvatore Salerno Devin
A Time Capsule – Preserved in Original Condition
— Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance 2024 Award Winner —
— Museum Ready With Presentation Shared in History Book —
The Car For Sale is a 1959 Devin – the Salvatore Salerno Special in Original Condition as Described
History of This Car
Salvatore Salerno started building a small, fast sports car with American power and European styling / handling in 1959. To achieve this, he acquired a mid-1950s Triumph TR2/TR3 frame, a Willys 6 cylinder F-head engine and a Borg-Warner 3 speed transmission with overdrive. Most importantly, he chose one of the most stylish bodies to wrap around his creation—the Devin sports car body which was derived from the Italian-designed Ermini sports car.
The Triumph chassis utilized an 88 inch wheelbase with a front/rear track of 45 inches which was a nice size for performance driving. Salerno altered the Devin body by glassing in the hood and made it a flip front which opened up at the cowl. This allowed the driver greater and faster access to the engine area. He also sectioned the body and made it taller. This had the effect of making the cockpit lower for the driver and passenger. A hood scoop was also added which tunneled fresh air into the cockpit and was operated with a vent control on the dashboard. He fitted his car with a tonneau cover—one that is still usable and with the car today.
The Salvatore Salerno Special is a rare example of an unrestored, unmodified sports car that was built and finished in era making it one of less than ten known American Specials in original condition. It has a level of finished engineering that most handbuilt specials of the time did not achieve. It looks like a well-finished factory effort that would have been very practical for everyday use except for the lack of a top. And it has been fortunate that the Salvatore Salerno Devin had a list of loving owners that cared for it and never let it go into dis-repair – making it a true time capsule for all to appreciate.
The only work completed on it after its long-term storage was maintenance to make it running and performing well—it’s as Salvatore left it for us to enjoy. The Salerno Special’s most recent appearance was at the 2024 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance where it received a class award for preservation and condition. It also appeared at the 2022 Gasparilla Concours d’Elegance where it won an award of distinction.
Click On The Links Below To Learn More
View Additional Detail Including Auction Results
Devin Sports Cars And Their History
Article on Silodrome About This Car
Click on the Link Below To Review This Article
Silodrome: June 21, 2024
The Incredible “Salerno Special” Devin Roadster
Book
The Salerno Special: Salvatore Salerno’s Devin
One Man’s Dream: 50 Pages Including Original “Build” Photos
Click Here To Read Book
Video
Video View of Car Including Two Interviews and a GoPro Driving Video
Run Time: 15 Minutes
Click Here To View Video
Pricing / Availability
The car is located in Tampa, Florida and is available for purchase at Bring A Trailer
Contact Geoff Hacker at (813) 888-8882 or Geoffrey.Hacker@gmail.com
Modern Photos
Terms
Transportation costs and arrangements from 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. Although every effort is made to present accurate and reliable information, use of this information is voluntary, and should only be deemed reliable after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to verify the existence of options, accessories and the vehicle condition before time of sale. Any and all differences must be addressed prior to time of sale. No expressed or implied warranties, including the availability or condition of the equipment listed is made. Full payment via electronic/bank transfer is due no later than 7 days from the end of the auction.
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