The 1982 Guanci SJJ prototype blended American muscle with

One of three SJJ prototypes built by Guanci Automobile has been auctioned

The electric era has ushered in countless automotive startups, but it’s not a new phenomenon. Quite the opposite is true, with dozens of companies trying to build the next generation of great sports cars.

One of them is Guan Ci, who is little known today. However, one of the company’s prototypes is up for auction at Hagerty Market. According to the listing, this was the third and final car built by the company, completed in 1982.

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Crown Automotive was founded in Woodstock, Illinois in 1977, and the SJJ has a distinctly European feel thanks to a sporty fiberglass body that was reportedly designed by Chrysler designer Mike Williams. Mike Williams with the participation of Alejandro de Tomaso. The final design still looks good today, as it has a sleek front end, slim air intakes and hidden headlights.

Looking further back we can see the protruding side scoops and flying buttresses. They also come with a “two-piece hatchback” and 16-inch wheels that look like they were taken from a rental car.

The interior is a bit spartan, but comes with a three-spoke steering wheel and two-tone interior trim. We can also see the basic controls as well as the Blaupunkt audio system.

This particular prototype has only traveled 209 miles (336 kilometers) and the listing says it has an aluminum and steel monocoque body. Although the car was originally equipped with a mid-mounted turbocharged Buick V6 engine, it was eventually replaced by the Oldsmobile Aurora’s 4.0-liter V8 engine. It produces 250 hp (186 kW / 253 hp) and is connected to a three-speed automatic transmission.

While the SJJ certainly looked fun and caused a stir at the 1979 Chicago Auto Show, Crown Motors soon faced the stark reality that building the car was extremely complex and expensive. The company eventually died, but the prototype remained in the Guanci family.

According to the listing, John JWguanci III donated the car to the Genius Garage student racing team in Bowling Green, Ohio, earlier this year. It’s for sale now, but there’s no title and may not be legal.

Photo credit: Hagerty