I just bought a toy. No other way to describe it. This car has no practical use, plus it's old, but it is unique. It's a neo-classic custom built motor car, a Zimmer. Built on an extended Ford Mustang chassis by the Zimmer Motor Car Company in Florida in 1983, this black beauty (my opinion) has open fenders and four air horns (only one is hooked up). It has a hood that is so long that when the car exits Pella the front wheels are already in Otley. The design suggests the style on the classic European cars of the thirties, or more recently, the car Cruella deVil drives in 101 Dalmations. It's fun to drive, and it does get noticed.

The following information, taken from the Zimmer web site, tells about the origin and life of Zimmer Motor Cars.

Zimmer Motor Car Club

History of the Zimmer Motor Car Company

In the 1950s Mr. Paul Zimmer (no relation to Art Zimmer) started the Zimmer Manufacturing Company. The product was manufactured housing, houses constructed in a factory. The company grew and prospered. By the mid-1980s, the company had sales of over 325 million dollars, with 14 manufacturing plants spread across the country, and employed several thousand employees. Zimmer homes were the top of the line, the most expensive and highest quality of all manufactured homes.

In the late 1970s, Zimmer manufacturing diversified into several additional "fun" businesses. These divisions included the manufacturing of luxury yachts, motor homes, RV-recreational vehicles and van conversions. Each new Zimmer product developed the reputation of being the highest quality product available in its market.

In 1978, Paul Zimmer purchased an Excalibur neo-classic motor car to drive around, just for fun. He thought the concept of a neo (new) classic car was great, but the quality and design of the Excaliber were somewhat lacking. Mr. Zimmer decided that he could do better and created Zimmer Motor Car division of Zimmer Manufacturing. In 1980, the first Zimmer Golden Spirit rolled out of the factory in Pompano Beach, Florida. The Golden Spirit quickly became very successful, and Zimmer motor cars set the highest standard for all neo-classic cars.

From 1980 to 1988, the Zimmer Motor Car Company was very successful, producing an average of 176 neo-classic motor cars per year. There was usually a back order of cars. Sales were brisk. Most years, the total production sold out. There was a waiting list, a nationwide network of dealers and over 10 million dollars in annual sales. Three models of the Golden Spirit were manufactured: a 2-door sport coupe, a convertible and a 4-door sedan.

In 1985, a second car was introduced. The Zimmer Quicksilver was a more modern vehicle. About 170 Quicksilvers were built and over 1,400 Golden Spirits.

In 1987-88, the parent company, Zimmer Manufacturing, fell into serious economic problems. The 325 million dollar a year parent company went bankrupt, taking down with it all of its operating divisions including the successful and profitable ten million dollar a year car company. The IRS and bankruptcy court came in and seized everything, hauled everything in the car company factory and offices to the dump and auctioned off the buildings. Roofing trusses are now manufactured in the old Zimmer Car Company factory.

Art Zimmer, a farm boy from Hamilton, NY, had become a self-made successful small business man in Syracuse, NY. He was involved in hotels, restaurants, real estate, ski businesses, printing and newspaper publishing. In 1995, Art saw a fancy car in front of the Sam Dell Dodge dealership on West Genesee Street in Syracuse. Upon closer inspection (Mr. Dell had parked the car to attract people into the dealership), he said "Wow, a car with my name on it." This was the first that Art knew of the Zimmer car. In March 1996, while on a business trip to Palm Springs, CA, Art purchased a 1987 Zimmer Golden Spirit, at his wife Shirley's insistence.

In September 1996, Art started the Zimmer Motor Car Club for Zimmer car owners. There are currently 368 Zimmer motor car owners in the club and a few wannabe Zimmer owners.

In 1997, Mr. Art Zimmer started from scratch the Art Zimmer Neo-Classic Motor Car Company. After only a year and a half of legal work, research, development, constructing new molds and a thousand and one other things it takes to get a major new business enterprise up and running, the first brand new 1998 Zimmer Golden Spirit Motor Car rolled off the assembly line in Cambridge, MD, in November 1998.

On December 11, 1998, near Pittsburgh, PA, the new Zimmer was unveiled and presented to the world. The car was sold to a customer in less than 24 hours.

On September 1, 1998, a Zimmer Car Company parts depot and distribution center was established in Roanoke, VA, by Gary and Ruth Zimmer Hendrick. This is a division of the Zimmer Neo-Classic Car Company. The parts department may be contacted at 89 Mockingbird Road, Boones Mill, VA 24065. Telephone: 540-334-3848, Fax: 540-334-1693.

Now, what are the future plans? First is to expand the parts department so that just about any part a Zimmer owner needs is readily available. Second, we shipped the 2nd Zimmer in March '99, that was already pre-sold. Third was in January 1999 to retool to start producing the '99 Zimmer. The first '99 was a convertible. Then in the summer the goal is to start producing some '99 2-door sport coupes with hopes to introduce a '99 four-door sedan in the fall. The plan is to develop a nationwide network of about 20 Zimmer dealers, and within 2-3 years manufacture 25 to 50 new Zimmer Golden Spirits per year.

By keeping production low and quality high, the Zimmer Golden Spirit will become the most exclusive and most sought after luxury motor car in the world, and the only one manufactured in the U.S.A.

Zimmer Golden Spirit 1415 West Genesee Street Syracuse, NY 13204 315-422-7011, ext. 125 315-422-1721 (fax) Home | History | Membership | Photos | Tech Tips

Is it a show-off car? Unquestionably. Built to be noticed - by guys. Women really are oblivious for the most part. Is it an expensive toy? Not really. It's an '83 you know. Am I crazy for buying it? Probably, but it's fun. Watch for it around town - it's kind of neat!

Keith Aldrich, 50508