1967 Buick Exemplar 1 Sells for $228K: A Copper-Clad Revival of Brass-Era Luxury

The Brass Era Revival: How a Copper-Clad Buick Made Automotive History

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, automakers adorned their vehicles with brass—a shiny copper-zinc alloy—during the so-called "brass era" (1896–1915). Light housings, radiators, horns, and trim pieces were crafted from brass before nickel, aluminum, stainless steel, chrome, and plastic became the materials of choice.

By the 1960s, the metals industry faced decline after the post-WWII boom in brass shell casing production. Yet, two industry leaders, Herman Steinkraus (head of the Bridgeport Brass Company) and Thomas Passek (of the Copper Development Association), sought to revive copper and bronze in automotive design. Their collaboration resulted in the 1967 Buick Riviera-based Exemplar 1, a one-of-a-kind luxury coupe that sold for $228,000 at Kruse’s Auburn Spring Auction last weekend.

A Custom Masterpiece: Design and Engineering

The Exemplar 1 is built on a 1967 Buick Riviera Gran Sport chassis but diverges entirely in aesthetics and materials. While the original Riviera’s 430-cubic-inch V-8 remains—producing 360 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque—it is transformed with copper accents, including:

• Copper valve covers, air cleaner, and plumbing
• Twin copper radiators—one for the engine, one for the air-conditioning unit—framing the spare tire and its copper cover
• 16-inch brass-plated Borrani wire wheels with copper spinners and copper disc brakes
• Bronze grille, headlight covers, bumpers, rocker panels, and beltline
• Brass louvers shading the large rear window, framed by a bronze sail panel

Italian Craftsmanship Meets American Muscle

To achieve its striking design, Steinkraus and Passek commissioned Mario Revelli di Beaumont, a prolific but underrecognized Italian car designer, to style the Exemplar 1. The bodywork was executed by Carrozzeria Coggiola of Turin, resulting in a long, sleek fastback coupe unlike any other car of its era.

The interior continues the theme of opulence and innovation, featuring:

• Plush red leather upholstery with yellow metal accents
• Copper console, center tunnel, and instrument panel
• Copper-spoked Nardi wood-rim steering wheel

According to the Chicago Tribune, the completed car contained over 150 pounds of copper.

A Star at the 1968 New York Auto Show

Upon its debut at the 1968 New York Auto Show, the Exemplar 1 captivated audiences, offering a rare glimpse of brass-era aesthetics in a modern package. The car had not been seen in half a century, and its revival of copper and bronze in automotive design left a lasting impression. While its ultimate fate remains unmentioned in historical records, its legacy as a one-off masterpiece endures.