This custom build combines bodywork from a 1968 Toyota Corona hardtop coupe with a custom tube-frame chassis and Lexus quad cam V8 power. Finished in 2004, it was originally built for entry in the Silver State Classic Challenge, but has actually never competed. Still, with just under 8k miles added over the past 12 years, the car sounds to be well dialed-in, and has been driven from Los Angeles to San Francisco at least once. Build quality looks excellent throughout, and the car is packed full of interesting design and construction details. Find it here at Auctions America, in Santa Monica, California where it will be offered on June 26, 2016 at no reserve. The hammer estimate is between $25k and $35k.

Conceived and constructed by renown SoCal builder Mitch Allread, the car combines the more distinct elements of the donor coupe’s bodywork with traditional hot rodding custom work (’59 Caddy taillights), oval track stock car (tube frame, reinforced Lexan windows, wing, etc.), and purely creative, one-off themes like the unique grille and headlight layout. Note also the side exit exhausts, neatly integrated cowl intakes, and quick change rear end clearly visible beneath the high tail.

Build quality is clearly impressive, as is probably best demonstrated by the show car-like interior. Quilted leather, neat welds, and cleanly installed switchgear and instrumentation all show great attention to detail. Check out the exposed quick-access fuse blocks and center console mounted brake bias adjuster.

Here’s another look at the seats and cage. It’d have been cool if the builder could have retained the donor Toyota’s pillarless roofline, but we’re nitpicking here.

Power comes from a stock Toyota 1UZ-FE V8 pulled from a Lexus SC400. Rated at about 250 HP, these motors are based on an Indy Racing League design, and with six bolt main bearing caps, they’re easily capable of taking quite a bit of boost with relatively little modification. This car should be plenty quick even in naturally aspirated form, as it doesn’t look to weigh very much–certainly less than the big luxury coupe it originally powered.

Power is sent rearwards through the original Toyota 4-speed automatic, and suspension consists of double wishbones in front and a well-located looking quick change solid axle in back. Brakes are big Wilwood discs, and the steering rack is manual. The car was featured in Hot Rod magazine when new, and has since been highlighted by Speedhunters and many more. It sounds to be fully ready to go as-is, and it’d be fun to see the car finally compete in the event it was originally built for.