GTP Cool Wall: 1962-1965 Apollo GT

[Wiegert]

1962-1965 Apollo GT nominated by @ThrasherDBS

Body Style: 2-door fastback coupé or convertible
Engines: 3.5L or 4.9L Buick V8
Power: 225-250 hp
Torque: 335 lb-ft
Weight: 1030-1150 kg
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Additional Information: This car was born out of an American engineer's desire to build cars to rival European GT cars of its time among the likes of Aston Martin and Ferrari. Milt Brown (the American engineer in question) made an agreement with coachbuilder and tuner Frank Reisner to build bodies for his car. Production was sporadic and ultimately led to less than 90 examples being built by multiple nameplates due to funding issues.​

Spoiler: Additional Pics

 

[-Fred-]

It's like a bad kit car that didn't know if it wanted to be an E-Type or a 330GT, so it ended up being both. I henceforth give it a meh.

 

[MisterWaffles]

If something is true, it's that the US will never be able to rival the EU in terms of style or quality.
It still gets a cool for being something unique within the US at the time.

 

[05XR8]

I wan to give it a cool, but the back is too jacked up.

 

[MisterWaffles]

I wan to give it a cool, but the back is too jacked up.

​

The rear end already looks quite low to me. Any lower would just look silly.

 

[05XR8]

1962-1965 Apollo GT nominated by @ThrasherDBS

View attachment 662532

Body Style: 2-door fastback coupé or convertible
Engines: 3.5L or 4.9L Buick V8
Power: 225-250 hp
Torque: 335 lb-ft
Weight: 1030-1150 kg
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Additional Information: This car was born out of an American engineer's desire to build cars to rival European GT cars of its time among the likes of Aston Martin and Ferrari. Milt Brown (the American engineer in question) made an agreement with coachbuilder and tuner Frank Reisner to build bodies for his car. Production was sporadic and ultimately led to less than 90 examples being built by multiple nameplates due to funding issues.​

Spoiler: Additional Pics

The OP pic makes it look too high. Probably a different suspension set up.

 

[MisterWaffles]

The OP pic makes it look too high. Probably a different suspension set up.

Probably, unless the old man driving in the picture I quoted enjoys his Dunkin Donuts a little too much.

 

[Tornado]

It apes the styling of the contemporary European equivalents and has similar on paper specs, and with that drivetrain it will ape the reliability as well!

 

[FerrariF1GT]

I have a feeling that the less-cultured might confuse this car with

or

when two people who are zealous about obscure vehicles bring up 'Apollo' in a conversation.

I don't mean to make fun of the 'less-cultured,' but I reckon that I'd say this car is uncool just for that.

 

[UltimateYosh]

Looks like the bastard child of a Ferrari and an E-Type.

Uncool.

 

[Cano]

Cool because of its tail-lamps.

 

[Michelin Man]

It's alright, it wasn't ugly, but it certainly isn't stunning, quite forgettable on the whole, and it would never really rival per say, a comparable European or even Japanese sports car from the era to be honest, in terms of overall quality and what not.

In the end I gave it a meh, mainly because it's an obscure "lesser known" Sports car, as apposed to being uncool.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

"Over 400 cubes. Dual quads, all synchro box, 0-60 in under 5." And as a bonus, it's not afraid of freeways.

 

[Adamgp]

Always liked these since first I saw Herbie: The Love Bug.

 

[Liquid]

Goofy looking but still somewhat cool.

 

[Spacegoat]

Always liked these since first I saw Herbie: The Love Bug.

I knew I recognized it from somewhere.

SZ purely because of Herbie

 

[Turbo]

Front and side profile looks like a cheap 250 GT knockoff.

Rear end looks like a cheap E-Type knockoff.

Uncool.

 

[Aesthetics]

Looks like a GTA version of a classic Ferrari. Low cool.

 

[ScottPuss20]

Oh look, a Ferrari rip-off. Uncool.

Always liked these since first I saw Herbie: The Love Bug.

Oh so this is the sports car I couldn't identify! I had no idea about this car when I saw the movie.

 

[LivingWithGames]

Wish it lasted longer, 'tis a real shame. Low Cool.

 

[TheCracker]

Poor 275 GTB copy at the front. Poorer E-Type copy at the rear. Uncool.

 

[Wiegert]

A '60s paint-by-numbers design, though I wouldn't say it looked "cheap" because of it. Also much better without the roof even if there isn't much of a wow factor with either version.

Cool-ish.

 

[EngieDiesel]

It's an obscure piece of automotive history, and also a rear wheel drive V8 coupe. That's enough to tip it into Cool territory for me.

 

[SPhilli911]

I dunno. It ticks all the cool boxes to me, 2-door, wire wheels, V8, RWD, classic, good looks. It's cool.

 

[Sting]

Easy Sub Zero.
One of the first classic cars I fell in love with for one reason: Herbie, The Love Bug. The Apollo GT was the Thorndyke Special!

 

[INEEDNAWZZZ]

Generic mishmash of other iconic cars from the era, but still a nice car. Simple cool.

 

[NotThePrez]

Gets a solid cool, tough the convertible is a definite Sub Zero.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Easy Sub Zero.
One of the first classic cars I fell in love with for one reason: Herbie, The Love Bug. The Apollo GT was the Thorndyke Special!

View attachment 663077

*Puts on Jim Douglas voice*

"Over 400 cubes. Dual quads, all synchro box, 0-60 in under 5."

 

[TexRex]

Posted one in the American cars thread recently after seeing that Herbie was airing on TV. Didn't actually see the car at that moment, but it's a bit of the movie that sticks out in my head. Why is the car so much more attractive in the movie than it is in real life? Maybe the striping...

Cool because it's a relatively uncommon American use of that engine.