Possibly the last example built of this exceeding rare and beautiful model.1965 Apollo GT ConvertibleApollo Serial No. 2010Blue with Black LeatherHistory of the Apollo GTThe Apollo GT was manufactured in Oakland, California from 1962 to 1965 under the direction of engineer Milt Brown and partner Newt Davis. The two youthful entrepreneurs made plans to offer classic Italian coachwork with American power and reliability. The Apollo GT was poised to win the hearts of American enthusiasts eager for an affordable and reliable alternative to costly European sports cars. After meeting Frank Reisner, founder of the Turin-based “Intermeccanica”, Milt Brown commissioned Intermeccanica to build the Apollo. Though the design was initially penned by Ron Plescia, when the prototype was completed, features of the design required refinements. Former Bertone designer Franco Scaglione was called in to refine the design for production. Intermeccanica produced all Apollos in hand formed steel, fabricated in Turin, and shipped to Oakland, California where the drivetrains were installed and prepared for display at Brown’s dealership, International Motorcars of Oakland. With a claimed top speed of 130 mph and a starting price of $6,000, the Apollo 3500GT was well-received by the automotive press. The lightweight Buick aluminum engine and various suspension components suited Brown’s original design and were readily available from GM. And while orders were brisk for the budding company, production of the 3500 stalled and, with new investors on hand, announced the 5000GT using the newer five-liter engine and offering the desirable convertible platform. Despite their best efforts, after just four years of business, Brown’s International Motorcars closed their doors and ended sales. A total of 88 Apollo GTs ( two prototypes and eleven convertibles) were built, many of which have been lost to the ravages of time. History of this Apollo GT ConvertibleThis Apollo GT, serial number 2010, was completed in 1965 at the close of operations for the company. As the 10th of 11 built, this car was shipped to Oakland, CA without the drivetrain. The Apollo production process for these cars would unite a specially built Buick drivetrain installed at International Motorcars, Apollo’s US based assembly facility, after arrival in the US. However, this car was seized by US Customs when Apollo ceased operations and was subsequently held in protective storage while awaiting asset evaluation and distribution. As a part of the asset settlement, the car was sold to the first owner who purchased it at a US Customs auction in 1965. Under his ownership, the car remained in a San Francisco storage warehouse for 35 years until it was discovered and purchased from the original owner by two sports car enthusiasts. Having benefited from secured indoor storage, this rare Apollo convertible was in remarkable original condition, retaining the original paint, original interior, original gauges, the original fabric convertible top, original glass, taillights, and other details. To ensure the very best in accuracy and authenticity, the team decided to engage the foremost expert on these cars, including the Apollo founder, Milt Brown. In 2000, the team was able to locate a correct Buick drivetrain purchased from a damaged Apollo coupe. Working directly with Milt Brown, who retained extensive knowledge and archives of information on these cars, the partners were able to preserve the original finishes and original components to a high standard. The entire driveline, brakes, and mechanical systems were carefully preserved including the Borrani wire wheels using the original hubs (still retaining the original Borrani hub decals), and the original polished alloy rims which were refurbished and reassembled using durable stainless-steel spokes. Upon completion of the recommissioned original finishes and restoration of all mechanical features, this rare Apollo convertible was exhibited at prestigious concourse events and as a featured car in numerous publications. Awards include 1st in Class, 2001 Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance, Forest Grove, OR, a 2001 AACA National 1st place, Hershey PA, and invitation/participation at the 2002 Amelia Island Concours, AutoItalia Orlando, FL, and 2001 Meadowbrook Concours, Detroit, MI. Current Condition and PresentationFinished in dark blue with black leather interior, this Apollo GT is a virtual time capsule capturing the best of Italian design and American automotive ingenuity. Not only rare in the convertible configuration, the lines are beautifully rendered with the long hood and short deck design captured by Scaglione and crafted by Intermeccanica. The original paint is very well done with smooth application even with consideration for 60-year-old paint which shows surface aging and minor paint flaws as found in original preserved finishes. The dark body color is accented by beautifully finished aluminum Borrani wire wheels wearing a set of period correct Michelin 165 R 400 X tires. The exterior chrome and trim are in excellent condition overall, with excellent plating on the front and rear bumpers. The overall stance, exceptional lines, and performance lineage are evident from every view. The original interior displays preserved elegant black leather seats and excellent door panels. The condition is surprisingly fine with only moderate softening the seating surfaces. The carpeting, while remarkably original, still retains good density, color, and factory fit. The dash displays a full array of marvelously preserved Jaeger gauges with Italian labels, remarkably saved from sun damage or moisture intrusion. The lightly hued Nardi wood steering wheel feels just right and bears the Apollo emblem inset in the polished aluminum hub. All finishes on the interior are not only remarkably fine, the interior is perhaps representative of the very best entirely original Apollo in existence today. The engine compartment is beautifully prepared featuring finishes consistent with original production specifications. Fit and finish under the hood is very well done as it was important to the owners that the car remain consistent overall with original production, not over-restored. The same considerations are evident when inspecting the undercarriage. The underside reveals a correct drivetrain, brakes, lines, and suspension all in excellent visual condition. Driving this Apollo GT it’s easy to see why contemporary press were rightly excited about the potential this car had when competing against Ferrari and Maserati in the US market. The engine starts with a quick burst of V8 energy. Unlike the raspier and raw Cobra, the Apollo offers a bit more refinement even as first gear pulls strong off the line and highway speeds are achieved in a matter of seconds. Healthy doses of torque and power are ample in any gear without hesitation but in a very manageable way. Braking and steering are consistent with cars of this period, asking for a bit more pedal pressure on harder stops. The steering is best managed in smaller bites on sweeping corners, though the car exits corners well on throttle once you are familiar with the driving dynamics. Rare when new and coveted today by collectors and enthusiasts internationally, the Apollo GT remains a premier example of 1960s sporting innovation, international partnership, and the exhilaration of performance driving. Likely the most original Apollo in existence today, and one of just 11 convertibles constructed, this stunning preservation grade Apollo is poised to continue the legacy of Milt Brown and his passionate dream to build a premier American sports car. Included with this carThis Apollo is accompanied by a new spare windshield in a protective box, copies of emails, letters, and reference information documenting this car, copies of correspondence with Milt Brown, copies of the car when purchased as found, and a letter from Intermeccanica referencing this car as the last car produced.