One of Six: 1958 MacMinn LeMans Coupe

Born from a late-1950s Road & Track challenge daring Americans to build a car capable of winning Le Mans, this 1958 LeMans Coupe by Strother MacMinn is the real deal one of six built: not a kit, not a replica, but a hand-built, mid-century American endurance dream with serious pedigree. Styled by an influential designer and constructed with help from Victress Manufacturing, it combined Chevrolet V8 power, independent suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, and front disc brakes, earning it a 1960 Road & Track cover and praise as one of the most exciting American sports car designs of its era. Offered as a running, driving project ready for final completion, this is a shockingly attainable entry into concours-level history and a rolling reminder of when American ambition thought Le Mans was simply a problem waiting to be solved. Find this 1958 MacMinn LeMans Coupe offered for $14,900 in Tampa FL via Spacelook Sharksplat. Tip from Dave in Tampa.

From the seller:

1958 LeMans Coupe by Strother MacMinn coupe
$14,900
Listed 2 days ago in Tampa, FL
About this vehicle
Driven 99,999 miles
Manual transmission
Exterior color: White · Interior color: Black
Fuel type: Gasoline
3+ owners
This vehicle is paid off
Clean title
This vehicle has no significant damage or problems.

Seller’s description
For Sale
1958 LeMans Coupe by Strother MacMinn
Famed Road & Track Magazine Car From The Late 1950s

— 1 of 4 Known To Exist —
— Restored Example Debuted at Pebble Beach Concours in 2023 —
— LeMans Coupe Featured on Cover of Road & Track Magazine – 1960 —

Description

In 1957/58, Road & Track magazine ran a series of 4 articles with a challenge to America – go out and build a sports/race car that could do what was almost accomplished by Briggs Cunningham in the early 1950s – win the LeMans race in France. The challenge was met by two teams in America, but it was the California duo of Marvin Horton and Ed Monegan who bit the bullet, though, and pressed forward with the design of a car.

During this time, Alton Johnson of Victress Manufacturing joined the team and helped create the mold. In exchange for his work, he would have the first body shell. By summer 1959, Johnson’s car was built; it used Chevrolet power and all-around coil independent suspension, and by August, 1960 Alton’s LeMans Coupe was on the cover of Road & Track Magazine – a great accomplishment for all involved.

Robert Cumberford in the March, 1960 issue of Sports Car Guide called the LeMans Coupe “the most exciting sports car design actually constructed in the United States for years. It’s elegance and high style enhance rather than detract from overall performance.” Six bodies were built, and four remain today.

This Car

This car was started by Ed Monegan in the late 1950s and never finished. Restoration was continued by the team that recently restored one of the remaining LeMans Coupes. This car is now available to be completed by the next owner.

Technical Specifications

Body Design:

Body Design By Strother MacMinn

Drivetrain:

327 Chevrolet, T-10 4-speed transmission
Chassis runs and drives

Chassis, Suspension and Brakes:

Disc brakes in front, drum brakes in rear, independent rear suspension (British)
Rack and pinion steering

Production:

One of six produced / one of four known to exist

Additional Detail

Condition: Unrestored and needs to be finished

Concours Embraced: American handcrafted specials have been welcomed across the country, and in recent years this has expanded to rallys, special exhibitions and more. What drives interest in these cars is the unique design and history of the build – in every case a story that is a “one of one.” Since 2007, major concours such as Amelia and Pebble Beach have held classes of these cars on several occasions, and both the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance have featured classes of these cars in 2023 and 2024

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