As of recent, I’ve developed quite a soft spot for the quirky Canadian/Californian company LaDawri Coachcraft that produced some amazing fiberglass cars, like the 1962 LaDawri Conquest found here on eBay. Some might be fooled by the original owners attempt to badge it as a Ferrari, but I hope the next owner returns it to its rightful “badge-free” beauty as God intended (or in this case, Albert Dawes – founder of LaDawri – intended).

An amazing example of another model Albert made – the swoop backed Castillian– was just featured on BarnFinds last month. The history of Canada’s first fiberglass sports car manufacturer is detailed there, and LaDawri earns its place as a rich part of the 1950’s and 60’s boom in fiberglass sportscars and kits. This particular model, originally named the Cavalier, was shown at a Canadian Exhibition in 1956 and made its international debut on the cover of Road and Track in July of 1957.

By that time the name had changed to the Conquest, and Dawes had moved the company from Canada to Long Beach, CA. This particular Conquest has strayed a bit from the original versions – with the Fire Red color being perhaps the only nod to the 1960s’ Conquests that rolled onto CA roads. You’ll notice the puffy look of black leather batting interior – which to me is a bit more “Shar-Pei” inspired than Italian. I’d remove the stick-on front rubber bumper and rear ding guards, and of course, I would strip the prancing horse’s away.

Since the Conquest was designed to accept a 100 to 104-inch donor chassis, LaDawri definitely marketed this model at the Corvette enthusiast – and this particular survivor has a ‘vette underneath (even though it’s a 1980’s model). For my taste, in fact, the Conquest was just a bit too close to the first generation Corvettes – which leads me back to the more European influenced Victress. Still, somehow I feel there’s a LaDawri in my future either way. Perhaps the LaDawri of your future is more at hand – and it’s time for your Conquest!