Mar 7, 2018 • Uncategorized •

With an asking price of $25,000 as listed here on Hemmings.com, this 1985 Armaretta Coupe could be yours for 10% of what it cost to build it for the Los Angeles Auto show in the ’80s. Thanks to reader Brent for spotting this retro-styled classic. Lerini Coach of Reseda, California sold a number of these cars but this was the original prototype, the teaser designed to make people’s jaws drop as they reached for their check books.

Drawing your dream car during study hall proves far easier than rendering one in three dimensions, and the engineering constraints of fitting an existing chassis leave many low-volume vehicles with at least one truly awkward angle. In contrast Lerini seems to have dodged those pitfalls, and its use of a lengthened Chevrolet Monte Carlo chassis suits the car well. The bustle trunk may bring to mind the Cadillac Seville, but few people will look at this car and think “Monte Carlo.”

The retro theme continues in the interior with wood trim wrapping from dash to door panel as you in 1940s Cadillacs and other luxury cars. Imperfections such as bunching of the door panel upholstery confirm that this cockpit design did not match the fit and finish of the finest luxury vehicles, and personally I’d find a steering wheel that either matched the dark colored vinyl or the lighter wood trim, but overall the passenger compartment comes off as a decent place to discuss high finance on the way to the opera.

Evidently the budget ran out before the coach-built fair dust reached the engine compartment, and least when compared to gorgeous Cord 810 powerplant. The Monte Carlo’s 350 cid V8 seems to have survived an explosion of black gloss Rustoleum and the installation of some shiny parts from the sale rack at Pep Boys. Still, when well-maintained, the small-block would provide reliable operation and sufficient thrust for this unique luxury coupe.

Consider the fact that this tribute to the Cord and similar cars, built 50 years after the originals, has now aged 30 years itself, it might be considered a classic in its own right. This profile view and inset of a lovely 1936 Cord Cabriolet (courtesy of rmsothebys.com) shows the Armaretta’s well-executed full fenders and stylish lines. To my eye, getting the Armaretta’s body two inches lower would nail the stance perfectly. With fewer than 50 units built, exclusivity belongs to the buyer. Are you ready to score this rare prototype for less than the cost of a Camry?