This 1957 Byers SR100 was bought by the seller 20 years ago while on the search for a Devin, and was restored in 2007 with mild upgrades to improve driver feedback and safety. The car sits on its original 1940 Ford frame, and runs the Cadillac 365-inch V8 that was used as part of the original build. A Road & Track cover in 1957 highlighted the SR100 (discussed here on Forgotten Fiberglass), indicating it may be the “World’s Most Beautiful Sports Car”. Find this one here on Hemmings in Littleton, Colorado for $125k.

The fiberglass body looks similar to the AC Ace and Shelby Cobra, and appears to even share some curves with the Siata 208. The white paint with blue racing stripes gives a nod to Cunningham, and appears to be well done and clean. A small air dam up front is the only modification to the body, and looks great sitting on steel wheels. John Bond’s exact words were: “Introduced Under The Sign of Aquarius, Our February Cover Car Does Carry Water, But More Importantly It Carries A Sports Car Body Which We Think Is Second To None In Sheer Beauty.” It seems the world was really just sitting there waiting for the 289 Cobra.

The interior looks to be very tidy, with nicely upholstered seats and dashboard. The Stewart-Warner reproduction gauges aren’t offensive, but we’d prefer to find a set of functional period gauges that suit the car more appropriately. The aftermarket steering wheel looks considerably out of place on a car at this level, and should be replaced immediately with a vintage three-spoke Moto Lita, or something else equally befitting.

The engine is a Cadillac 365ci V8 matched with a ’54 Chevy 4-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission, which were utilized when the car was constructed. The engine bay looks reasonably tidy, although the Edelbrock carb, Accel ignition coil, and later GM alternator stick out conspicuously, but would likely provide decent performance until more appropriate period-correct hardware could be sourced. The front end has been rebuilt, as well as the transmission, steering box and column, and the original exhaust has been replaced with tuned headers running out through side pipes just behind the doors, which have been bolted shut.

It wouldn’t take much to get this one properly sorted out, and represents one of the best looking glass-bodied cars of the era.