The story begins at Watkins Glen in 1952, where a young enthusiast first discovered his love for race cars. The track was a second home, filled with the sights and sounds of SCCA competition. Among the names that echoed in the paddock was Bill Devin, a racer and innovator who wanted Ferrari-like performance but couldn’t afford the price tag. Instead of giving up, Devin built his own solution: lightweight fiberglass bodies that could be fitted to a variety of chassis, allowing weekend racers to rebuild and return to competition faster than ever. That innovation sparked a business, and by 1959, Devin’s SS model graced the cover of Hot Rod Magazine, a Corvette-beater born from sheer ingenuity.
Fast forward decades, and that same young racing fan, now a seasoned builder himself, found a 1957 Devin S to restore. During the restoration, fate intervened — a Devin SS body appeared, and it was too good to pass up. What followed was a years-long odyssey to create the ultimate modern tribute car, the Devin Z — “Z” for the final, ultimate Devin.
The process began with designer Brian Stupski, who helped translate a vision into renderings. From there, SR3 engineered a custom tube chassis with Corvette control arms, four-wheel independent suspension, and disc brakes. Viking’s Berserker coilovers were added for real-time suspension tuning, ensuring the car could handle like a modern track weapon.
Staying true to Devin’s Chevrolet roots, power comes from a Thomson-built LS7, equipped with a Harrop side-draft intake delivering 697 horsepower to a 6-speed transmission and Getrag transaxle. Electronic management is handled by Holley’s Dominator ECU, with a digital dash mounted on the passenger side — a nod to the car’s road rally inspiration, where navigators need full visibility of the car’s performance data.
The body itself is a one-off carbon fiber shell manufactured by Motor City Solutions who also created its mold. It weighs just 161 pounds and fits over hand-fabricated inner panels, creating wheel wells, heat extractors, and engine bay liners, all done by Dave Daunheimer at Competition Fabrications. Every piece, from the exhaust headers to the custom stainless fuel tank, was carefully hand-built.
One of the most striking features is the custom hood, a sculptural piece designed to both showcase the side-draft intake and provide critical heat extraction. Even the side-view mirrors were replaced by cameras, feeding to a center display that offers rear, side, and optional front views — a tech-forward touch that blends form and function.
The car wears B-Forge custom wheels, developed with Billet Specialties to mimic classic knockoffs, and it’s painted in a bespoke Devin Z Blue, mixed using discontinued PPG tints with just one spare gallon available. The interior, crafted by Riggs Brothers, balances race-ready function with show-stopping detail.
After over 6000 hours of labor, plus hundreds of personal hours from the builder himself, the Devin Z made its debut at the 2022 Detroit Autorama, earning a spot among the prestigious Great 8 finalists. But make no mistake, this is not only a showpiece but also a fully roadworthy sports car engineered for performance driving and built to honor Bill Devin’s legacy on the track where he belonged.
Now, this remarkable piece of automotive history, part race car, part tribute, and fully unique, is available for sale. This million-dollar build comes complete with all receipts and the original mold used in its creation. Furthermore, the fabricator and builder, Competition Fabrications, will provide a limited first-year owner warranty under proper use. For the right buyer, the Devin Z offers the chance to own not just a car, but a story. A story that began at Watkins Glen in 1952 and continues to this day, waiting for its next chapter.
For more information, be sure to click the button below.
