1977 McBurnie Daytona Roadster

On offer at Imperial War Museum, Duxford - Wed, 22nd Jun 2022 13:00 https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-111---1977-mcburnie-daytona-roadster/?lot=55914&so=0&st=mcburnie&sto=0&au=&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=0&pp=48&pn=1&g=1 Constructed in USA with final assembly taking place in UK Only 48 miles since recent completion 5.7 V8 Corvette based roadster, same as featured in hit 1980s TV series Miami Vice More photographs to follow Up until the company’s closure in 2012, California based McBurnie Coachcraft had been prolific producers of a variety of evocations before copyright issues and a suspicious factory fire in 1989 resulted in significant issues for production. Known for the quality of his products, Tom McBurnie would go on to produce other models under the moniker Thunder Ranch before selling up in 2012. The ‘Daytona’ was perhaps their most famous product as the first car produced had been widely featured in the hit 1980s television series Miami Vice driven by Don Johnson’s character Sonny Crockett. Most examples were based on a C3 Corvette, with accurate glass fibre bodywork created from moulds taken from an original car. C3 based cars were powered by Chevrolet’s 5.7-litre V8 allied to automatic transmission. It is believed some 79 examples out of an intended 100 were built (costing some £50,000 each) before legal proceedings halted production. The LHD example offered here has only recently been finally completed and has covered just 48 miles since conversion. Acquired in the USA by the vendor, it was subsequently imported to the UK and registered VAL 604R. The vendor advises the works have been finished to a very good standard as can be seen in the photographs. Boasting a Tan leather interior with a Black soft top and tonneau, the car’s Black coachwork is nicely complemented by a set of chrome wire-spoke wheels. Sure to turn heads wherever it goes, this iconic convertible is accompanied by a current MOT to March 2023. For more information, please contact: John Markey [email protected] 01428 607899