Spohn DV-13 Convertible: A Bizarre Beauty Born from Bold Imagination

Glorious Oddity - It’s not every day you stumble upon a car that looks like it was imagined in a dream—equal parts vintage science fiction and postwar fantasy. In the golden era of design experimentation, when chrome was king and fins stretched like the wings of jet planes, some cars broke molds so dramatically, they carved out a legacy of their own. One such example is the 1957 Spohn DV-13 Convertible—an eccentric, unforgettable creation that continues to raise eyebrows and spark conversations wherever it goes.

The Spohn DV-13 Convertible, with its strikingly unique design, is believed to have been commissioned by American GIs stationed in postwar Germany and built by the renowned coachbuilder Hermann Spohn Karosseriebau in Ravensburg. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

Built in Ravensburg, Germany, by the renowned coachbuilder Hermann Spohn Karosseriebau, this car emerged from a company once trusted to shape the bodies of legendary names like Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, and Bugatti. After WWII, Spohn shifted gears—literally and creatively. American GIs stationed in postwar Germany began commissioning custom cars that reflected their bold, stateside tastes. The result? Machines like the DV-13, where pre-war engineering meets outrageous imagination.

The 1957 Spohn DV-13 Convertible front end features double-stacked headlights and a grille and bumpers that feels more sci-fi than showroom. (Picture from:Silodrome)

At its core, the DV-13 is a Frankenstein of eras. Underneath its flamboyant skin lies a 1939 Ford chassis, complete with pre-war mechanicals—front and rear live axles, transverse leaf springs, and drum brakes. Power comes from a robust 5.4-liter Cadillac V8 engine paired with a Ford 3-speed manual transmission. It’s a combination that tells you this car wasn’t just about looks—it was built to run.

The 1957 Spohn DV-13 Convertible rides on a 1939 Ford chassis, featuring pre-war mechanicals like live axles, transverse leaf springs, and drum brakes. (Picture from: Silodrome)

But let’s talk about those looks. With its steel body shaped into curves and contours that seem to defy logic, the DV-13 is anything but shy. The front end features double-stacked headlights and a grille that feels more sci-fi than showroom. The rear is topped with towering fins that became something of a Spohn signature by the late 1950s. Some say it looks like two cars squashed into one, others claim it made professional designers question their careers—but no one ever calls it boring.

The 1957 Spohn DV-13 Convertible features a left-hand-drive cabin with black upholstery, color-matched carpeting, roll-up windows, a lockable glovebox, a dash-mounted cigar lighter and ashtray, and a bright dashboard housing a 140-mph speedometer and worn auxiliary gauges. (Picture from: Silodrome)

Despite its polarizing appearance, the DV-13 has grown into a cult classic. In 2012, it was purchased by Wayne Carini of Chasing Classic Cars along with his friend Ralph Marano, who found it in the Miami-based Dezer Collection. The car later appeared on the show, then went on to win the Camille Jenatzy Award for “Most Audacious Exterior” at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in 2013. It didn’t stop there—it continued its victory lap at events like the 2014 Boca Raton Concours and even made a stop at the AACA Library.

The 1957 Spohn DV-13 Convertible powered by a robust 5.4-liter Cadillac V8 engine paired with a Ford 3-speed manual transmission. (Picture from: Silodrome)

That kind of exposure turned the DV-13 into something more than just a strange car—it became a symbol of automotive individuality. Now being offered for sale on Bring a Trailer with no reserve and a clean New Jersey title, it comes with spare gauges and a story you couldn’t make up if you tried.

The 1957 Spohn DV-13 Convertible's rear is topped with towering fins that became something of a Spohn signature by the late 1950s. (Picture from: Story-Cars)

And if you thought the DV-13 was Spohn’s only wild creation, there’s more. Another standout from the same workshop is the 1950 Spohn-bodied Veritas, featuring dramatic tailfins and faux jet intakes—a bold example of how far postwar styling could go when imagination was in charge. Curious to see just how far Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn pushed the envelope? You can take a look right here. | Mw8P4wRprz0 |

In the end, cars like the Spohn DV-13 Convertible are a reminder that sometimes the best designs don’t aim to please everyone—they aim to be remembered. This is one of those cars you don’t just see. You experience it. And once you do, you’ll never forget it. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BRINGATRAILER | SILODROME | STORY-CARS ]

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