I recently missed out on the opportunity to purchase a 1959 Devin D, a fiberglass car built on a custom frame using Volkswagen suspension components and powered by a Porsche 356 engine. The car needed a complete restoration, which I was strongly considering taking on. My hesitancy to pull the trigger, however, meant someone else beat me to it. I keep looking for similar opportunities, which is how I found today’s oddball: a 1958 La Dawri Sebring. Read on and share your thoughts on this interesting car down in the comments.

La Dawri Coachcraft was an American car manufacturer founded in 1956 by Les Dawes in British Columbia, Canada, before relocating to Southern California. It became one of the first companies in North America to produce fiberglass car bodies and kits, allowing car enthusiasts to build custom cars using standardized molds mounted on existing car chassis.

La Dawri’s offerings included models such as the Conquest, Sebring, and Daytona, which were designed with a focus on streamlined aesthetics and lightweight construction, appealing to the growing interest in sports cars during the 1950s and 1960s. These models could be paired with various American car chassis, making them accessible to hobbyists looking for a sports car experience at a lower cost.

The company saw initial success, but it faced growing competition from the muscle car movement in the 1960s. This, along with rising production costs, led to a gradual decline in demand. La Dawri ceased operations in the early 1970s. Despite its closure, La Dawri Coachcraft remains notable in automotive history with a small (but aging) enthusiast base who keeps the brand’s story and cars alive. La Dawri’s brief takeover of production for the Victress brand of fiberglass cars also helps bring attention to this interesting small manufacturer from the golden age of the automobile in the USA.

Today’s Good Find Friday car is a La Dawri Sebring model from 1958. It is offered for sale by the seller on Craigslist out of California and is said to be one of 4 driveable examples in the USA.

The fiberglass exterior of this example is painted in a bright red with a black interior. The design of the car is very in keeping with 1950s fiberglass sports car design, with clear nods to 50s automotive styling including scalloped flanks and raised rounded tail fins. It’s probably no surprise that this glass fiber body has elements of boat styling as well.

The paint appears to have some flaws, particularly behind the driver’s side, and panel gaps look a bit variable at the hood and rear lid. Additionally, both doors appear to be sitting a little proud of the body at the top when shut. A pair of leather hood straps add some racey flair and hold the lightweight front hood closed. One interesting design feature of the La Dawri is its integrated windshield frame with a chrome insert.

The interior of this car features a pair of swoopy bucket seats, carpeted floor, sport steering wheel and t-handle shifter. I suppose entry and egress is aided by the deep cutouts that extend under the windshield frame—a la Jaguar E-type—but the seat position and overall cramped appearance of the cockpit suggests it’s a squeeze for larger occupants.

Some Sebrings appear to use a pair of bucket seat bases with the rear seat from a Volkswagen Beetle forming a seamless backrest. Personally, I think this combination would be more practical even if it lessens the sporty styling the car currently exudes.

Despite the long snout on this car suggesting a front-engine configuration, the powerplant for this swoopy sports car is mounted in the rear. A Volkswagen engine with dual downdraft carburetors, newer alternator and custom crank pulley sits inside sheet metal from a Beetle. No information is provided on the engine specs in the ad.

The chassis is apparently sourced from a 1958 VW, and it’s clear that it has been stretched to accommodate the wheelbase of the Sebring body. No photographs are posted of the chassis, but were you to consider buying the car I’d highly recommend requesting them from the seller. Interestingly, the car is rolling on 4-bolt Mahle Gas Burner wheels, so at least the hubs have been upgraded from the stock 1958 VW parts.

Wiring needs are noted, and the car is currently titled in California as a 1969 Volkswagen for some reason, but the title is said to be in hand and clear which should make titling the car in your state a little easier.

Values for the La Dawri range greatly depending on the particular model, build quality and chassis the car is mounted on. The last La Dawri Sebring to be listed on the open market was a 1957 model listed on Bring a Trailer back in July of 2023. That car was bid to only $7,500 but should have reached at least into the teens. It could hint that VW-powered versions of these cars are less desired.

A real looker of a car, a La Dawri Conquest sold at Mecum Denver way back in 2019 for an impressive $36,300. Built on a Chevrolet chassis with a 265 cubic inch V8, it was much more potent and a very clean build. A 1963 La Dawri Daytona, a contemporary model to the Sebring, recently sold for $17,900 in Italy, but it boasted Corvette power and needed a complete restoration.

Priced at $12,750, today’s car seems priced fairly given its current condition and past sales. That’s not a lot of money for the exclusivity it buys, even if I definitely believe there are some things that would make this car even better. With the prices of similar fiberglass customs like Apals and Devins reaching into the high 5-figures, this seems like a bargain.

If you’re looking for something cheaper, the same seller has a few unfinished cars up for sale as well. Would you roll up to your local Cars & Coffee in this sleek roadster? Let me know in the comments.

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisal and auction services for sellers and buyers of collector European cars. We also provide importation services. Give us a call or drop us a line!