For Sale
1958 LaDawri Conquest
First Appeared on Cover of Road & Track July 1957
— Rebuilt Small Block Chevrolet (400) —
— Full aluminum interior and engine compartment panels completed —
— Finish This Car To Your Exact Taste —
Pricing / Availability
The car is located in Tampa, Florida and is available for purchase at $19,900
Contact Jon Greuel at (972) 515-7685 or kw82253@gmail.com
Description
The LaDawri Conquest was designed in the Vancouver British Columbia area in 1956 by Les A. Dawes and first showed in the Pacific International Exhibition in 1956 as the Cavalier. Within a year, the car, family, and company moved to Long Beach California where production began and the car debuted on the front cover of Road and Track in July 1957 – now as the LaDawri Conquest.
The Conquest was soon followed by other size models of the car as well as additional models being offered such as the Daytona, Sebring, and Del Mar. Expansion continued with the purchase of Victress, an early sports car fiberglass company, which added 6 more models to their inventory. LaDawri continued with car production producing both cars and kits from 1957 through 1965 and during that time offered a greater variety of sports car bodies than any company on the market.
This Car
This car was in the current owner’s possession for over 20 years in which he pursued its restoration at the highest level. The next owner can continue with this plan and complete the final phase of the restoration to their personal taste in sports cars.
Technical Specifications
Body Design:
- Body Design By Les Dawes
Drivetrain
- Rebuilt 400 SBC with earlier intake and Carter AFB carburetor
- Muncie M21 rebuilt
- Heavy duty drive shaft
- Hydraulic throw-out bearing and aluminum flywheel
- Custom lay flat radiator with aluminum ducting panels from grill openings
Chassis, Suspension and Brakes
- 1952 Henry J Chassis – heavily modified and updated
- Custom four link, transverse spring ford 9 inch rear
- Custom rack and pinion with TIG welded shortened control arms and CAD designed, water jet cut, linear motion bearing mounted steering system
- Ford spindles and kingpins with disc brakes and bias valve front to back
Exterior
- New Windshield included
Interior
- Custom aluminum interior
- Aluminum, vented interior panels
- Removable steering wheel
Additional Features
Production:
- Approximately 125 LaDawri Conquests were built from 1956 thru 1964 – less than half survive today
Additional Detail
Condition: The restoration was started but not completed. Photos of car and parts included for restoration to continue are shown below.
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.
Auction Results / Comparable Sales: Click Here To View Auction Results For American Specials
Hagerty Valuation Guide: Click Here To View Hagerty Valuation Guide
Current Photos
Photos of Parts Included
Vintage Article – Road & Track July 1957
Recent Sale of Restored LaDawri Conquest
Click Here To Learn More About This Car And The Auction
Podcast: LaDawri Conquest: Fiberglass Kit Car Pioneer
11 Minutes
Click Here To Listen to the LaDawri Podcast by “Classics in Motion – A Deep Dive”
Terms
Transportation costs and arrangements from 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. Although every effort is made to present accurate and reliable information, use of this information is voluntary, and should only be deemed reliable after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to verify the existence of options, accessories and the vehicle condition before time of sale. Any and all differences must be addressed prior to time of sale. No expressed or implied warranties, including the availability or condition of the equipment listed is made. Full payment via electronic/bank transfer is due no later than 7 days from the end of the auction.