Look twice, or you might think Cruella DeVille has come to Gilmer, as you see that modern classic, a 1985 Spartan II motoring around town. But that’s not Cruella behind the wheel—it’s Gilmer businesman Tom Davis.

Davis won the car May 16 in a district-wide Rotary raffle, with the drawing held at Paris.

Forty-five clubs in Rotary District 5838 sold tickets for $5 each.

Gilmer Rotary Club President Randy Hill said that the tickets filled to overflowing a tumbler five feet long and three feet around. When the winning ticket was drawn, it was Davis’s.

The car was donated by Norma Durrant, wife of Rotary Past District Governor Fay Jay Durrant, a member of the Wilbur Smith Rotary Club of Texarkana. Durrant also donated one ounce of gold.

The raffle was part of the PolioPlus campaign, the volunteer arm of the global partnership dedicated to ridding the world of polio.

For more than 20 years, Rotary has led the private sector in the global effort to rid the world of this crippling disease. Rotary has developed the $100 Million Challenge, a 3-year fundraising commitment. It’s the Rotary Foundation’s response to a $100 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help eradicate polio.

The Spartan II was designed by automotive designer Ron Sparks, who was influenced by the luxury cars of the 1930s. He designed the car for luxury auto builder Ned Lamoureaux. The Spartan II is not a kit car. They were hand-built in San Diego, Calif., at Spartan’s own factory.

It was placed on a 1984 Nissan 300 ZX chassis, thereby utilizing the luxury companents that were available in that model, including:

• High-performance and fuel-efficient 6-cylinder engine, with 4-speed automatic transmission.

• Power windows, power steering, power disc brakes, and power door locks.

• Digital gauges.

• Climate-controlled heating and air conditioning.

• Opera windows and sun roof, bucket seats and back seat, and authentic wire wheels.

Only 300 of these rare beauties were produced at the factory in 1985, most of which were purchased by celebrities, including Eddie Murphy, Larry Holms and Joan Collins.

A Spartan II was used in the film 101 Dalmatians, starring Glenn Close.

Due to the huge expense of producing the Spartan II, none have been built for neary 20 years.

It is described as perhaps the finest example of a true classic car today. It’s known to turn heads wherever it goes. The Spartan IIs were sold new in excess of $50,000.