1957 LaDawri Conquest
1957 Other Makes LaDawri Conquest Description:
1957 LaDawri ConquestClick Here To See All Of Our Handcrafted Cars For Sale
1957 LaDawri Conquest
"The single unbroken line swirling from the two frontal air intakes...peaks the front fender extremities, sweeps down the profile, juts over and around the rear wheel opening and finishes nicely in two relating shapes on the rear....This unbroken line, combined with the sweep of the windshield that leads the eye around the passenger compartment, up and over the rear fender shape, creates a pleasing overall package..." excerpt from July, 1957 Road & Track Magazine
What a way to start a car company - on the cover of Road & Track Magazine in July, 1957. That's how much Les Dawes, the founder of LaDawri Coachcraft, impressed John Bond who owed Road & Track Magazine, and the the lines of this car continue to impress today. From 1957 to 1965, approximately 100 Conquest sports cars and bodies were built. Few remain.
For Auction Today
This Conquest is a work in progress and ready to be completed by its' new owner. The car is similar in size to American sports cars of the day with a wheelbase of 100 inches - approximately the size of a 1950s Corvette or Jaguar XK120. We acquired the car many years ago and at this time, the car has been prepared for a new owner to complete the restoration more easily from a strong starting place.
In preparing the car, we completed the most difficult fiberglass work. Doors, hood and trunk have been properly hinged and the body has been mounted to the chassis. On the outside, we added additional fiberglass where needed and sealed the body with Duratec - a high quality polyester sealant. This preserves the quality of the vintage fiberglass underneath and gives a nice foundation for future work. All fiberglass work has been professionally completed by Dave Koorey Enterprises in Port Richey, Florida. Dave's team specializes in early fiberglass sports car restorations, and is available to finish this car if needed. Final bodywork remains to create the finish desired. The car has no drivetrain and is sold "as-is."
The custom-built chassis was recently acquired and was described with the following features:
* Rear end is from a Lincoln Versailles
* Front upper A-arms are tubular aftermarket - most likely AFCO. Lower A-arms are fabricated.
* Front brakes and spindle are Chevrolet
* Coil-over shocks are on all four corners and are from AFCO
* Rack and pinion steering is GM or aftermarket
* Motor mounts are setup for small block Ford
American Sport Specials are coming into their own. More and more they are seen at vintage races, rallys, tours and on the fields of the finest concours in the world. Most recently a class of these sports cars appeared at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. This may be your chance to own something quite rare - an American Special -- with all the flair of European design, but with American power and at a reasonable cost.
Links of Interest:
Article: American Postwar Specials/Sports Cars - Published in the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Progam
Auction Results: LaDawri Conquest Sold for $57,200 at Mecum in Denver, CO - June, 2018
Hagerty Valuation Guide: Glasspar
Hagerty Valuation Guide: Woodill Wildfire
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Vintage Photos Related to LaDawri Coachcraft
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Les Dawes Shown With His Prototype LaDawri Conquest in 1956
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Photos From The 2007 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance of a Restored LaDawri Conquest
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Joan Dawes (wife of Les Dawes) Shown With LaDawri Conquest at 2007 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
George Barris (friend of Les and Joan Dawes) Shown With LaDawri Conquest at 2007 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
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Shown Below Are Photos of The 1957 LaDawri Conquest Being Auctioned in this Sale
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Shown Below Are Photos of the Chassis For This 1957 LaDawri Conquest Being Auctioned in this Sale
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Transportation costs and arrangements from origination (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. Car is being sold "as-is." People have different opinions and expectations of old cars. It is your responsibility to inspect this vehicle or send a third party inspector for your satisfaction. A $2000 non-refundable deposit is due within 48 hours of the end of the auction. Full payment via electronic/bank transfer is due no later than 7 days from the end of the auction.
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Offered By
Undiscovered Classics of Tampa, Florida
"We Find, Research, Restore, Show and Sell America's Lost Automotive Treasures"
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