GM 5.7L Ram Jet V-8, 380 HP, fuel injected, four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission, Art Morrison chassis with four-wheel independent coil spring suspension, four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes; wheelbase: 116”


In the height of the Classic Car Era, coachbuilders like Saoutchik and Figoni et Falaschi created some of the most impressive designs ever seen. One of the modern-day keepers of this art is Rick Dore who applied his visions and his skills to create the fabulous “Shangri-La.” Named after the fictional utopia described in James Hilton’s 1933 novel, “Lost Horizon”, this one-off creation is as much a mechanical masterpiece as it is a work of art. Starting with a 1936 Cadillac, the body was hand-formed aluminum that came to life through the talents of Luc DeLay of Marcel’s Custom Metal in Corona, California. Many of Dore’s earlier creations have been on a longer 124” wheelbase but, for this car, the body was married to a custom Art Morrison “AM” Chassis with only a 116” axle spread.

Those European classic, Art Deco-inspired, exaggerated styling features such as flowing fenders, elongated hoods, and swept-back bodies were perfectly captured, but as Rick Dore says, “with an American Attitude”. All trim spears are hand formed from brass and finished with brilliant triple chrome plating. The beautiful and flowing lines mimic those aerodynamically inspired streamliners that were all the rage in the 1930s with long sweeping fenders that combined with a swept-back custom grille, split front bumpers, and a rear deck that mimics the famous Mercedes 540K. Its impressive profile is nicely accented by a low roof that is finished with a brilliant brushed finish that is designed for quick removal, transforming this stunning coupe into a sporty roadster. Large diameter headlamps and a unique curved windshield that was specifically designed for this car are just a few of the attributes that make Shangri-La the impeccable ride that it is. The ultra-bright and dazzling finish in PPG Indian Inkwell Blue was applied by Ron Cambra at his Cambra Speed Shop in Orange, California and, in 2018, Shangri-La was the winner of the prestigious Charlie Hutton Paint Award for its outstanding finish. Shangri-La’s body would serve as a centerpiece of any custom focused collection and its mechanicals are also a technological masterpiece. This car also has the precense to have a place even in significant collections of pre-war American or European or sports cars. If you've ever considered acquiring an important custom, this is it.

Power comes from a GM sourced 5.7-liter Ram Jet V-8 rated at 380 HP. With custom touches such as placing the engine’s throttle body unit mounted to the side of the engine for a clean and uncluttered look, is accented by the use of an authentic a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr air cleaner. Wiring was finished by master craftsman Ron Francis and the result is an engine compartment that is clean and functional while providing a superior degree of both power and reliability. Dore drove Shangri-La for two years in bare aluminum and said it drives like a dream. Shangri-La rides on Cadillac chrome wire wheels with wide whitewall tires for the perfect custom cruiser look.

The interior by Ron Magnus is finished in black with breathable fabric inserts. The hides are of the finest quality and all stitching carries the signature quality of a prestigious motorcar. In the interest of simple elegance, the gauges were custom crafted for Shangri-La and are housed in a single dashboard nacelle that carries oil pressure, temperature, voltage, and fuel level indicators. A matching shifter knob and steering wheel are finished in a semi-translucent woodgrain that carries the Rick Dore emblem. The superb combination of power, speed, and elegant looks makes the Shangri-La a car that has no equal. For the absolute best in a bespoke motorcar that is and always will be the only one of its kind, this unique Rick Dore custom is a car that carries the look of timeless elegance in automotive design.