A 1958 Devin Roadster, a rare American sports car from the 1950s, has emerged from long-term storage and is now for sale on eBay. Built on a Morris Minor chassis with a Crosley engine, the vehicle raced in autocross events in Castle Rock, Colorado, during its active years. It includes period documentation and is described as a project car.
The Devin Roadster represents an innovative chapter in mid-20th-century American automotive history. Founded by Bill Devin in 1955, Devin Enterprises produced fiberglass-bodied sports cars designed to rival lightweight European models. Devin, a former racer and dealership owner, drew on his experience to create modular fiberglass bodies that could fit various chassis, marking an early use of adaptable designs in the industry.
This particular 1958 model features a lightweight fiberglass body mounted on a Morris Minor chassis, powered by a 724cc Crosley four-cylinder engine. This setup placed it in the under-one-liter racing class, benefiting from independent front suspension for competitive performance in regional events. Sources indicate it participated in autocross competitions in Castle Rock, Colorado, during the late 1950s and early 1960s, with supporting newspaper clippings and photographs included in the sale.
After its racing days, the car served as a daily driver in the 1970s for the original owner's son before entering long-term storage. Now listed as a project vehicle from Austin, Colorado, it comes with a spare engine and additional body parts. Devin Enterprises operated until 1965, producing bodies, kits, and complete cars nationwide. In recent years, the brand has been revived as Devin Sports Cars in Abington, Pennsylvania, offering support to owners.
Bill Devin also contributed to automotive engineering by inventing the timing belt, though he did not patent it. His background included winning races in modified Crosleys and competing alongside figures like Phil Hill in Ferraris.