Apollo 5000 GT GT Coupe 1965
General description :
International Motors was founded in Oakland, California in 1962 by engineer Milt Brown and stylist Ron Plescia, a graduate of the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Their first and only model, the Apollo, was built using a ladder-type chassis that consisted of Buick-sourced front suspension and modified Buick four-link rear suspension. The chassis was skinned in a handsome and well-integrated body designed by Plescia and built in Italy by Carrozzeria Intermeccanica of Turin. Upon completion, the bodies were then shipped to Oakland where they received final fitting and were mated with aluminum Buick engines of either 3.5 or 5 liter displacement. High quality leather, Borranni wire wheels, Dunlop disc brakes and Jaeger instruments rounded out this well-built and high quality grand touring car. The Apollo returned 150 mph performance in combination with excellent road manners thanks to the independent front end and well-planted rear axle, garnering praise from the press and drawing comparisons with the likes of Jaguar, Aston Martin and even Ferrari. But sadly, with no dealer network to speak of, the burden of building bodies in Italy and shipping them all the way to California was too much for the fledgling firm and the rights were sold off in late 1965 after just 88 cars were produced. Further examples were built by Intermecchanica and badged as the Vetta Ventura, but it is the original Apollos that are most sought after by today’s enthusiasts.
This 1965 Apollo 5000 GT is one of those original run of 88 cars. It is currently presented in rough but very restorable condition and is a very complete car with interesting history. For the past several decades, this example was in the care of the same family. Service records show the car was regularly cared for prior to being placed in long term storage, from which it now comes.
In its current state, this Apollo is fitted with a 260 cubic inch Ford V8 engine and Borg Warner transmission, however we are in the process of acquiring a correct specification 5-liter Buick V8 to return it to correct, original spec. The body shows some corrosion on the lower sections but is otherwise straight and complete, including the bumpers, grille, window trims, lamps and lenses. It is in fine order, free of major accident damage and would make for a very straight forward restoration. This is a very high-spec example, as it was originally fitted with the larger engine, optional Borranni wheels and ArtiKar air conditioning, the last two of which have remained with the car from new.
The black glove-leather interior has survived in remarkably good condition. Carrozzeria Intermeccanica built the bodies and trimmed the interiors in Italy, ensuring they were beautifully crafted using high quality materials. The driver’s seat shows a split seam, however the rest of the leather is good enough to be carefully preserved if desired. Likewise, the aircraft-inspired dash features the complete array of Jaeger instruments in fair condition and the original air-con unit is nestled below.
The Apollo was never built in the numbers the founders dreamed; but is far from being a homebuilt kit car. It is a well-sorted, well-engineered and attractive sports car with outstanding performance for its day and the cachet of proper Italian coachwork. It remains a very collectible piece of automotive history; while this example would make for an easy restoration for the dedicated enthusiast.
http://hymanltd.com/vehicles/5765-1965-apollo-5000-gt-coupe/
1965 Apollo 5000 GT GT Coupe is listed sold on ClassicDigest in St. Louis by Mark Hyman for $52500.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Apollo Model : 5000 GT Model Version : GT Coupe Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1965 Sub type : Coupé Location : Missouri
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About Apollo
The Apollo is an interesting Italo-American GT car that was produced in the 1960s. It was designed to offer a combination of American power and Italian styling. Regarding its status as a "great" or a "poor man's Ferrari," opinions may vary among automotive enthusiasts. Here are some points to consider:1. Design and Styling: The Apollo had sleek and attractive styling influenced by Italian design. It featured a low-slung profile, elegant lines, and often sported muscular American V8 engines. The design aimed to capture the essence of high-performance European sports cars.
2. Performance: The Apollo's performance was notable, thanks to its powerful engines. It was typically equipped with American V8 engines sourced from companies like Buick and Oldsmobile, which offered significant horsepower and torque. This allowed the Apollo to deliver strong acceleration and impressive top speeds.
3. Build Quality and Development: The Apollo was produced in limited numbers, and there were some challenges with build quality and development. The company faced financial difficulties and lacked the resources of established manufacturers like Ferrari. As a result, some owners experienced reliability issues and the overall refinement of the car could be seen as underdeveloped compared to its competitors.
4. Potential with Better Resources: It is plausible to assume that with better resources, the Apollo could have achieved even greater success. More investment in development, engineering, and production could have addressed the reliability and build quality issues, potentially leading to a more refined and competitive sports car.
Ultimately, whether the Apollo is considered a "great" or a "poor man's Ferrari" is subjective. It had its own unique charm and performance characteristics. While it may not have achieved the same level of recognition or prestige as Ferrari, it still holds a place in automotive history as an interesting and distinctive GT car that combined Italian styling with American power.
The Apollo was produced in a few different models during its production run. Here are some key models, specifications, and estimated production numbers for the Apollo GT:
1. Apollo 3500 GT:
- Engine: 3.5-liter V8 engine sourced from Buick
- Power: Approximately 200 horsepower
- Transmission: 4-speed manual or optional automatic
- Production Numbers: Around 88 Apollo 3500 GTs were produced between 1962 and 1964.
2. Apollo 5000 GT:
- Engine: 5.0-liter V8 engine sourced from Buick
- Power: Approximately 300 horsepower
- Transmission: 3-speed automatic or optional 4-speed manual
- Production Numbers: Approximately 90 Apollo 5000 GTs were produced between 1964 and 1965.
3. Apollo 3500 GT Spider:
- Engine: 3.5-liter V8 engine sourced from Buick
- Power: Approximately 200 horsepower
- Transmission: 4-speed manual or optional automatic
- Production Numbers: Around 11 Apollo 3500 GT Spiders were produced between 1963 and 1964.
4. Apollo 5000 GT Spider:
- Engine: 5.0-liter V8 engine sourced from Buick
- Power: Approximately 300 horsepower
- Transmission: 3-speed automatic or optional 4-speed manual
- Production Numbers: Only a few Apollo 5000 GT Spiders were produced, making the exact number uncertain, but it is estimated to be in the single digits.
Overall, the total production numbers of the Apollo GT are relatively low, with approximately 200-250 cars produced in total across all models. The exact production figures may vary, and it's worth noting that the Apollo went through different ownership and production changes during its production run, which may have influenced the overall numbers. These limited production numbers contribute to the rarity and collectibility of the Apollo GT today.