For those who hate the jellybean, cookie-cutter styling of today's vehicles, have we got something unique for you. Straight from the world's largest automotive auction website comes a chance to own a piece of automotive history. A little slice of life from a time when bigger was better and too much was never enough. Over-the-top styling once owned by one of the most over-the-top characters from a bygone era: Of course, we are referring to Liberace's Kanzler Coupe. We had never heard of it either. But we had heard of Liberace, and so we thought we'd clue you all in to this item.
Apparently this is one of only two known Kanzlers known to exist. It was designed by Ernest Kanzler, the son of a 1920s Ford Motor Co. executive. It was produced by Newport Beach Coachworks, which closed in 1979. The Kanzler was based on a 1979 Mercury Cougar and features a 351 mated to a 3-speed automatic. An inch longer and narrower than an Expedition with only 4420 pounds of
[Source: eBay]
Thanks to Mike for the tip!
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z again, with interior shots
2010 Mazda3 unveiled ahead of LA Auto Show
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z caught undisguised
GM on Corvette ZR1 cancellation rumor: "Not true."
Follow the Audi Mileage Marathon starting Monday morning
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 3
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3, return of the "hummer"
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Chevy Corvette Z06
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
Paris 2008: Le Day 1 Wrapup
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
'94 Impala SS @ Oct 17th 2006 2:50PM
I am surprised the Liberace Museum isn't interested in it being as rare as it is.
Howard Kerr @ Oct 17th 2006 3:10PM
Looks like a Ford Escort ZX2 or a Hyundai Tiburon (1st gen.) with a very severe case of elephantiasis (sp?)
There have been more than a few Cougar-based "specials" over the years but THIS has to be the HANDS-DOWN ugliest. Also....where are the candleabras?
jb @ Oct 17th 2006 3:26PM
Fugly. Is that an old Opel GT roofline, glass and doors?
ETMC @ Oct 17th 2006 3:31PM
JB, I was thinking the same thing.
What a waste of a GT body...
Noah @ Oct 17th 2006 3:32PM
Isn't that the car from that LXG movie?
SO fugly.
--Noah
pauln @ Oct 17th 2006 3:34PM
#3; Exactly my observation. And I bet it's so. The vintage is right, and it would have been hugely easier to "borrow" that part of the car from a donor, since tooling up a cowl, roof, doors, and glass would have been hugely difficult and expensive.
joe @ Oct 17th 2006 3:39PM
that car is sweet! i'd buy it if i had the disposable income.
menice @ Oct 17th 2006 4:07PM
if i had disposable income, I'd buy it, and a dalmaition and make the wife drive around like Cruella DaVille.
steve @ Oct 17th 2006 4:26PM
Put it in the crusher. What a watse of money
ron @ Oct 17th 2006 4:27PM
Blasphemy!!!!!! I had a '73 Opel GT and this is no way to treat that car! Geezes-cranberries that car is butt-ugly!
Lee Roy Brandon III @ Oct 17th 2006 6:36PM
I agree with the Opel observations... I have a '72 GT, so when I saw this monstrosity I immediately noticed the greenhouse and cabin were distinctly familiar. A pure Opel had to die for THIS?!?
Anthony94114 @ Oct 17th 2006 6:40PM
If anyone is ever in Las Vegas and wants to escape the mall of casinos, take a $5.oo cab ride to the Liberace Museum. Craaaaazy cars, and c'mon, you gotta love a dude that can wear a 120 lb fur with sequins (and a smile), play the piano and collected wierd cars. The mirrored Rolls is killer.
Richard Warren @ Oct 17th 2006 6:43PM
"George, the candles, please."
ezrealtybuysell @ Oct 17th 2006 7:55PM
Well I really don't know what to say. It looks something like the "batmobile." No, not the same. I think it's a very odd design. I guess that's why its getting sold. Good luck to the buyer. It does have a lot of history. Liberace was very flamboyant, so I guess this car really is moderate.
Hey, we've listed ugly properties on our multiple listing service, and they were sold. The old saying is there is a "house for everyone" and I guess also "a car for everyone" as well. Maybe something like that will help.
Because the car had a world famous owner, there is no doubt it will sell, and for all the money. Good luck.
smooth sailin @ Oct 17th 2006 9:47PM
Great car to chase down dalmation puppies.
Don T. @ Oct 18th 2006 11:18AM
I read on another site that this thing'll do the quarter in ten and pull .99g's on the skidpad!!
Rick @ Oct 23rd 2006 7:02AM
WHOA!!! At first glance I thought the front end favored a Jaguar! I kinda like it.
But WHERE do I put the candelabra?
Dave R. @ Oct 23rd 2006 7:47AM
I actually have an original sales brochure for the Kanzler Coupe . . . didn't know they had ever built any real ones. It's just as , ah, "distinctive" in person as the drawings in the brochure showed it. Yikes!
geoff groedner @ Oct 23rd 2006 8:09AM
It's so big, it has an 80's disco, a gay bar and two Starbucks. You can tell your life is really meaningless when you, like me, take time to write about a dead person's car. Go read a book, no pictures, just type. Now.
Randy Marquis @ Oct 23rd 2006 8:56AM
i love it!!! i bid one dollar bob