Zimmer (automobile)
Encyclopedia
Zimmer is the name of a U.S. neo-classic automaker, based in Syracuse, New York
. The company was founded in 1978 as Zimmer Motorcars Corporation by Paul Zimmer and failed shortly after his death in 1988.
Art Zimmer purchased the rights to the company in 1997 and established the Art Zimmer Neo-Classic Motor Car Company which currently builds 10 to 20 automobiles each year.
Zimmer Motorcars Corporation was established in 1978 as a manufacturer of neo-classic automobiles.
The idea for this automobile was initially drawn on a napkin at a private dinner between Paul Zimmer, Chairman and President of Zimmer Corporation and Bob Zimmer, Paul Zimmer's son, employee and shareholder of the company.
Paul Zimmer drew what was to become the Golden Spirit on a napkin, handed it to Bob Zimmer and told him that not only were we going to build a neo-classic automobile, but that the younger Zimmer would be responsible for all functions of the operation and ongoing supervision of Zimmer Motorcars Corporation. Bob Zimmer became the companys' President.
At its peak in the 1980s, Zimmer Motorcars Corporation employed 175 people and generated $25 million in annual revenue.
The second Zimmer Motorcars Corporation offering was the Quicksilver which was built between 1984 and 1988.
Both models were built in the same factory in Pompano Beach, Florida
on simultaneous production lines between the years 1980 to 1988.
Zimmer Corporation fell into serious economic distress and the $325 million dollar a year parent company was forced into bankruptcy, taking down with it all of its operating divisions, including the highly successful and profitable $25 million dollar a year car company.
In September 1996, Art Zimmer, (who is no relation to the original Zimmer family) acquired the "Zimmer Motorcars" name and various Zimmer Motorcars Corporation materials and established the Zimmer Motor Car Club for Zimmer car owners. By 2001, there were over 500 members in the club.
In 1997 Art Zimmer, president and CEO, started the Art Zimmer Neo-Classic Motor Car Company after buying a model in a local automobile dealership. The company, also known as Zimmer Motor Car Company, currently builds 10 to 20 automobiles each year and are headquartered in Jamesville, New York
.
The Zimmer Golden Spirit retails for $175,900 and is billed by the company as "the most awesome automobile in the world." It is the first four-door convertible on the market in decades and is based on a Lincoln Town Car chassis. The company also offers a two-door model that is built on a Ford/Mustang chassis which retails for $109,900. The advantage to owners is that the automobile can be serviced at any Ford
or Lincoln Mercury dealer. This includes full service and Ford parts and warranty work. Additionally, the automobile has all the latest safety and modern engineering features available. Because Zimmers are built atop existing chassis, the company can use the legal certification of the Town Car and Mustang, obviating the need for crash and emissions testing.
, and in December 1998 the first Zimmer Golden Spirit rolled out of the factory.
During 2000, the company established a Syracuse presence when two of its operations; Rosenthal and Chadwick, a metal fabricating company, won the contract to supply heavy-duty steel bumpers, badge bars, and associated support parts. For the first time since 1934, when Franklin Automobile Company
closed, automotive manufacturing returned to Syracuse
.
In May 2000, Zimmer and Sam Vigliotti, president of Sam's Auto Body and Service Center on West Genesee Street, located in Syracuse's
historic Automobile Row, announced that the latest Zimmer model, currently in development, would be manufactured at Sam's Auto Body. Because of this alliance, by 2001, the company was able to manufacture a new vehicle every six to eight weeks.
, as well as throughout the world such as Saudi Arabia
.
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. The company was founded in 1978 as Zimmer Motorcars Corporation by Paul Zimmer and failed shortly after his death in 1988.
Art Zimmer purchased the rights to the company in 1997 and established the Art Zimmer Neo-Classic Motor Car Company which currently builds 10 to 20 automobiles each year.
History
The idea for this automobile was initially drawn on a napkin at a private dinner between Paul Zimmer, Chairman and President of Zimmer Corporation and Bob Zimmer, Paul Zimmer's son, employee and shareholder of the company.
Paul Zimmer drew what was to become the Golden Spirit on a napkin, handed it to Bob Zimmer and told him that not only were we going to build a neo-classic automobile, but that the younger Zimmer would be responsible for all functions of the operation and ongoing supervision of Zimmer Motorcars Corporation. Bob Zimmer became the companys' President.
Models
The Zimmer Golden Spirit was the flagship of the Zimmer Motorcars Corporation with more than 1,500 produced during its production run from 1978 to 1988.The second Zimmer Motorcars Corporation offering was the Quicksilver which was built between 1984 and 1988.
Both models were built in the same factory in Pompano Beach, Florida
Pompano Beach, Florida
Pompano Beach ) is a city in Broward County, Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean just to the north of Fort Lauderdale. The nearby Hillsboro Inlet forms part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 99,845...
on simultaneous production lines between the years 1980 to 1988.
Original company fails
In 1988, Bob Zimmer sold his shares in the company and purchased an automobile dealership. Shortly after that, Paul Zimmer suffered a major heart attack, required a triple bypass and lost the energy, creativity and stamina that had been his trademark throughout the years. At that time a group of employees and members of the Board of Directors attempted to direct the operation of the company and were not able to navigate such a large entity during a difficult economy and the loss of the company's most important and influential member.Zimmer Corporation fell into serious economic distress and the $325 million dollar a year parent company was forced into bankruptcy, taking down with it all of its operating divisions, including the highly successful and profitable $25 million dollar a year car company.
Company acquired
In 1997 Art Zimmer, president and CEO, started the Art Zimmer Neo-Classic Motor Car Company after buying a model in a local automobile dealership. The company, also known as Zimmer Motor Car Company, currently builds 10 to 20 automobiles each year and are headquartered in Jamesville, New York
Jamesville, New York
Jamesville is a hamlet in De Witt, Onondaga County, New York, United States, part of the greater Syracuse area.The history of the community is documented in the book Water, Wheels and Stone: Heritage of the Little Village by the Creek, Jamesville, New York, written by Jean Schutz Keough, and...
.
Retro style - modern chassis
The Zimmer is considered an "era" car. Era cars were built from readily available parts (VW or Sprite convertible body, Corvette suspension, Buick/Lincoln/Chevrolet engines, etc.) and made to replicate the long hood, exposed headlight, side-mount spare tire look of the classics of the 1930s. All the parts used, were either new or completely rebuilt to be better than new. There were several brands made (Excalibur, Clenet, Tiffany) and they were all made to the same formula.The Zimmer Golden Spirit retails for $175,900 and is billed by the company as "the most awesome automobile in the world." It is the first four-door convertible on the market in decades and is based on a Lincoln Town Car chassis. The company also offers a two-door model that is built on a Ford/Mustang chassis which retails for $109,900. The advantage to owners is that the automobile can be serviced at any Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
or Lincoln Mercury dealer. This includes full service and Ford parts and warranty work. Additionally, the automobile has all the latest safety and modern engineering features available. Because Zimmers are built atop existing chassis, the company can use the legal certification of the Town Car and Mustang, obviating the need for crash and emissions testing.
Manufacturing facilities
Art Zimmer established the company's manufacturing facilities in Cambridge, MarylandCambridge, Maryland
Cambridge is a city in Dorchester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 12,326 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dorchester County and the county's largest municipality...
, and in December 1998 the first Zimmer Golden Spirit rolled out of the factory.
During 2000, the company established a Syracuse presence when two of its operations; Rosenthal and Chadwick, a metal fabricating company, won the contract to supply heavy-duty steel bumpers, badge bars, and associated support parts. For the first time since 1934, when Franklin Automobile Company
Franklin (automobile)
The Franklin Automobile Company was a manufacturer of automobiles in the United States between 1902 and 1934 in Syracuse, New York. Herbert H. Franklin, the founder, began his career in the metal die casting business before establishing his automobile enterprise.Franklin founded the H. H. Franklin...
closed, automotive manufacturing returned to Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
.
In May 2000, Zimmer and Sam Vigliotti, president of Sam's Auto Body and Service Center on West Genesee Street, located in Syracuse's
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
historic Automobile Row, announced that the latest Zimmer model, currently in development, would be manufactured at Sam's Auto Body. Because of this alliance, by 2001, the company was able to manufacture a new vehicle every six to eight weeks.
Distribution network
Zimmers are manufactured "on order" and sold through an international distribution network. The largest distribution center is located in Amman, Jordan, and there are other distribution centers in several states in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, as well as throughout the world such as Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
.
Sources
- Art Zimmer's Golden Spirit by Travellady magazine