1958 Thor VW Sports Car

1958 Thor VW Sports Car

One of America's First Volkswagen / VW Sports Cars

Nik Gudmunds and Jerry Ball completed the Thor in 1958. Little did they know that they were making history by using a VW chassis and drivetrain. The "Thor" is one of the earliest American VW sports cars that survives, and one of the best documented handcrafted cars of the era.
The VW Beetle first started to arrive in the USA in 1949, and by late 1955 Volkswagen sales were strong enough to establish a sales office in Englewood, New Jersey. While many people became enamored with the production version of the Beetle, others saw it as a great platform to build a more stylish and sporty car using the VW chassis and drivetrain. This trend started strongly in Europe with individuals, small companies and coachbuilders (including Rometsch, Denzel, Beutler, Dannenhauer and Stauss, Hebmuller, Steyr, Kohlruss, Wendler to name a few) producing stylish examples.
This trend continued in the USA where it was usually individuals who were using the air-cooled VW drivetrain and/or were re-bodying VW Beetle chassis/drivetrain to their own sports car styling and taste. Individuals, that is, like Nik Gudmunds and Jerry Ball who designed and built the "Thor."

For Auction Today

The car being auctioned is one designed by Nik Gudmunds and Jerry Ball in 1957, and was named after Nik's father, "Thor." In the process of designing and building the "Thor," Gudmunds and Ball applied for and received a Patent for their design. The Patent and associated paperwork is shown in photos below.

According to Nik Gudmunds, this is one of two Thor VW sports cars built - both remain today. Our Thor was found many years ago near Grand Rapids, Michigan and eventually made its way to the team at Undiscovered Classics / Forgotten Fiberglass in Tampa, Florida. Nik also built a roadster version of the Thor but never completed the car.

The car in this auction was built on a 1954 VW chassis as shown by the VIN number of the tunnel (see photos below). It is un-restored and being sold "as-is."

Links of Interest

Article: The 1958 Thor - Part 1

Article: The 1958 Thor - Part 2

Article: The 1958 Thor - Part 3

Article: American Postwar Specials/Sports Cars - Published in the 2015 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Progam

Hagerty Valuation Guide: Glasspar

Hagerty Valuation Guide: Woodill Wildfire

Auction Results: 1953 Victress S1A Roadster Bid to $150,000 at Mecum, Chicago, October, 2015

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Shown Below Are Photos of The 1958 Thor VW Sports Car Being Auctioned in this Sale

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Shown Below Are Vintage Photos of the Thor

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Shown Below Are the Patent Documents

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VW Book By Dan Post (1966): Coachbuilt VW Sports Cars

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Transportation costs and arrangements from origination (Tampa, Florida) to buyer's location are the responsibility of the buyer. This car is being advertised locally and we reserve the right to end the auction at any time. People have different opinions and expectations of old cars. It is your responsibility to inspect this vehicle or send a third party inspector for your satisfaction. A $2000 non-refundable deposit is due within 48 hours of the end of the auction. Full payment via electronic/bank transfer is due no later than 7 days from the end of the auction.

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Offered By

Undiscovered Classics of Tampa, Florida

"We Find, Research, Restore, Show and Sell America's Lost Automotive Treasures"

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