The Samurai race car story from banned to be hero

Banzai....! Hino Motors, Ltd., or more popularly known as Hino, it's a Japanese multinational company that produces diesel engines, trucks, and buses. The company is headquartered in Hino, Tokyo, and founded in 1942. And since 1973, the company has been transformed into one of the major manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty trucks in Japan and is part of Toyota today.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai never be raced at the 1967 Japanese Grand Prix, after was disqualified and banned of the race event by the JAF due to it did not have sufficient ground clearance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

Although known as a truck maker, it turns out that this Japanese manufacturer had produced passenger car models in the 1960s. (See Hino's pasengger car). Besides that, in the same era it turned out that this Japanese manufacturer also ever had involved in the racing world with a race car called the Hino (BRE) Samurai.

The racing car was the result of a collaboration between the Hino Motors with the Brock Racing Enterprise (BRE) owned by Peter Brock, the famous American racing car designer. He was also known as the man who designed the legendary Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe.

Pete Brock while driving the Hino Coupe 1300cc and won the 1966 Times-Mirror race at Riverside Raceway. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

Before Brock started his career in the Japanese auto racing with Hino (BRE) Samurai, turn out he ever had great success while driving the Hino Coupe 1300cc and won the 1966 Times-Mirror race at Riverside Raceway along with another Hino's BREs finished in second.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai's timeless front-end still looks good today. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

As quoted from mycarquest, this unique racing car was created by BRE with the help of the great Troutman-Barnes team. The sleek and gorgeous hand made, low drag aluminium body ensured the Samurai made the most of its rather small 1.3L GR100 4-cylinder Contessa powerplant. Nevertheless the twin Mikuni-Solex carbureted unit still belted out a healthy 110 horsepower, then an amazing figure for such a small engine.

The power was handled through a bespoke 5-speed manual transmission. As a result of BRE’s clever engineering and packaging, the finished car only weighed a lively 530 kg (1170 lbs). Considering these figures, the car looked to be a worthy competitor in the JAF 1300 class.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai race car initially used a 1,300 cc 4-cylinder Hino Contessa engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai pictured on
the November 1967 cover of Road&Track
magazine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

Initially, Brock had a vision to enter this car in the 1967 Japanese Grand Prix and even aspired brought it to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Unfortunately, the Japan Automobile Federetion (JAF) as the race organizers later disqualified the car due to it did not have sufficient ground clearance. Despite the failed venture, BRE’s lovechild got its fair share of attention not long after being denied its racing career, by featured on the November 1967 cover of Road & Track magazine. 

The project was eventually disbanded then Pete Brock contracted by Toyota to developed a mid-engined 2L Toyota's prototype, and soon the Nissan Fairlady Z also got his hand touche. The Hino Samurai race car was later known to be bought by Terry Hall and brought it to America to race in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing event. At the American sports car club racing championship, the Samurai raced in Class C Sports Racing, but unfamiliarity with its mechanicals lead to setup issues and poor reliability. 

After that Hall sold the Samurai to former Porsche class competitor Ron Bianchi. At this time, the side windows of the car had also been removed, and the nosecone suffered minor damage from the impact. Bianchi also faced the same problem as the previous owner, due to ignorance of the Samurai's engine ins and outs.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai built with a tubular frame to support a highly aerodynamic aluminum body. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZizsPG)

Many mechanics come and go to handle this race car but the results were none, and always has the mechanical mishaps happened to it. Finally, Bianchi consider forming his own team whose members consisted of those who had reliable expertise. The team members are John Hamilton known as a former Mercedes-Benz motorsport development engineer, Paul Albertson who had been part of Cosworth's race engine department, Paul White known as tire specialist.

Together with the team members then Ron Bianchi tried to give a new breath to the Hino Samurai, but it was not easy. In one race the brakes failed, then the next time out an oil line sprung a leak, killing the engine, then a new throttle cable snagged, over-revving the engine and grenading it yet again. Problems keep coming, as if this racing car remains wild and difficult to understand.

The 530kg-weighted Hino (BRE) Samurai race car mounts its 110 hp engine in the mid-rear position. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rTO5oH)

Finally with the help of a friend specialized in cam construction finally solved the engine issues, then Paul Albertson was finally able to safely extract the desired power. With the engine sorted, and John Hamilton having resolved the braking problems.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai's movable ring airfoil predated Ferrari's F40 by over 20 years. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3blIkK7)

While for the car's handling problems, Bianchi then contacted Red LeGrande, who was known to be involved in the chassis fabrication process of the Samurai commissioned of Peter Brock. Then he discussing with Red to solved matters, and decided to completely remodel the rear suspension. After that Paul White adjusted the tire compounds and pressures accordingly. 

 

After all the team members have managed to solve their respective problems, the Samurai began to record reliable times in competitive times. On another occasion, the race car comfortably won its class. Over the next four years, the Samurai never be finished lower than fifth.

1967 Hino (BRE) Samurai race car waiting in the paddock, waiting to win another race. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rV8jhS)

And when Ron Bianchi decided to retire from racing, Samurai managed to give him and the team about 25 winning trophies, 12 awards for second place and 2 trophies of the club racing championship. After that the Hino (BRE) Samurai idled in the garage, at that time Bianchi started receiving calls from its creator. Peter Brock had learned of Ron's ownership of the Samurai, and wanted to buy it back. In several discussions, they finally agreed on the price of the car.

However, Brock didn't hold onto the car for long, because he later sold it to Satoshi Ezawa, a wealthy Japanese collector. As if it wasn't enough to have Hino (BRE) Samurai physically, the last owner of the Hino Samurai having learned of Bianchi's adventures with the Samurai, he wanted to know in minute detail just how Ron has turned the aborted project into a proven race winner. His curiosity even led him to visit Ron Bianchi in person. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BRE | MYCARREQUEST | DRIVETRIBE ]

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Three big names chime into a 6.2 metre-long car figure

Weird ONES In the automotive world, there are times when an attempt to modify a motor vehicle is made to attract public attention. There're countless numbers of motorized vehicles have been modified for these such purposes. Usually the changes does on these vehicles only to make their looks to be unusual. Having fun and goes viral with unusual shaped car.

The 'El Cadillette,' an unusual six-wheeled vehicle as a combination an El Camino, the Cadillac and a 1959 Corvette built by HBomb Customs & Classics. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZeY4IU)

Now on this occasion we will present one of the vehicles that has been modified in such a way that it turns into a unique six-wheeled vehicle that carries the classic style of at least three the world's automotive big names.

As quoted of Stuff, there's the best vehicle restoration/customization workshop in New Zealand named HBomb Customs & Classics which is located near Temuka got one of the most complicated projects had ever worked over its 10 years in the automotive world business.

The car restorer Hadleigh Oudemans (left) of HBomb Customs with Frank Spencer and Brendan Anisy show off the extreme length of El Cadillette. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3qlttWi)

(Sorry, if it's like a fairy tale). In the 2019, the Temuka-based workshop crews, Hadleigh Oudemans and four others got the task from David Blackmore, an expat living on the Gold Coast to customizing his classic four-wheeled vehicle that started life as a hard top Cadillac with four-doors of the 1959.

From this 1959 hardtop four-doors Cadillac is where it all started. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZeY4IU)

As quoted of Hemmings, initially the car owner wanted his car to be customized like the beautiful classic car image drawn by Raymond Picasso for him. But on the way, he changed his mind and wanted to make his car appearance more unique by increasing the number of wheels from four to six.

The car's early designs were drawn by Raymond Picasso specially for the car owner, before the tandem on the rears were decided on. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZeY4IU)

Well, long times before a 6.2 metre-long "orange-colored beast" came to see the sun. In the 2018, it arrived partly completed from Wellington in a container. The car modifier got the job done before Christmas 2020 and named El Cadillette as a combination an El Camino, the Cadillac and a 1959 Corvette. There are event bonnet rockets from a 1957 Chev Bel Air and a "rumble seat" set up behind the cockpit style cabin.

El Cadillette in its original four-wheeled design was made of 1959 Cadi flat-top sedan, and powered by a 500 cubic inch V8 Cadillac engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3tYuGoK)

One of the more difficult aspects has been the "lazy axle" set up required for the twin rear wheels which make it a six wheeled vehicle that similar in vein to the FAB 1, the famous pink six-wheeled car of the 1960s' British science-fiction puppet television series Thunderbirds.

El Cadillette's front grille made and taken from two 1959 Corvettes. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZeY4IU)

Over the course of the project, Oudemans and his team have also made changes to the wheel arches and still have to include a specially-built grille put together from two grilles taken from '59 Corvettes, paint the exterior with the "Lamborghini Orange" color and customise the interior with special crocodile genuine leather in white and orange.

El Cadillette's interior furnished with fully custom carbon fiber dash and layered by special crocodile genuine leather in white and orange on the seats. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ZeY4IU)

More uniquely, the six-wheeled car also has clear glass on the roof to fullfill the car owner requested. And the car modifier said that he spent a considerable amount of time sourcing and chasing Cadillac parts suitable for the project. This six-wheeled car is powered by a 500 cubic inch V8 Cadillac engine.

The car restorer Hadleigh Oudemans of HBomb Customs says El Cadillette is the most difficult project he has taken on. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/378LkrW)

Furthermore, Oudemans said the project could eventually cost between $200,000 and $300,000 with another feature being the installation of a television in the middle of the spare wheel cover so the owner can "park up" and watch 50s' music videos. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HBOMB CUSTOMS & CLASSIC | STUFF | HEMMINGS | SIXMANIA ]

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The less known prancing horse species

Lesser KNOWN After the war, the prancing horse logoed racing cars were known to have always dominated various prestigious racing events in the world. Especially with the launch of the Ferrari 250 GT LWB (Long Wheel Base) in 1954, and the Ferrari domination continued at the end of 1959 by the launching 250 GT SWB (Short Wheel Base) variant. Unfortunately, the Ferrari's domination was recede slowly in 1962 when the 250 GTO varian been born.

1963 Ferrari 250 LM with chassis number of 5893 sat on display at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rLbhp0)

Times are changing, especially with the introduction of mid-mounted engines in the 1950s which significantly changed the outlook of the sport and made many of the previously dominating racing cars obsolete, including the Ferrari 250 GT and 250 GTO. 

Again, the Maranello-based car manufacturer seems late to anticipate and respond these technical innovations, just look at they were overtaken by Maserati, its arch-rival whose first built the first and successful mid-engined sports car called the Maserati Tipo 63 powered by a V6 engine in 1961.

1963 Ferrari 250 LM with chassis number of 5893 sat on display at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rLbhp0)

Instead, the first mid-engined car made by the prancing horse logoed auto manufacturer was the Ferrari 156, a F1 racing car which successfully won the 1961 F1 Championship event in both the driver and constructor categories. By the determination and ambition to reclaim the old domination once won through the 250 GT, Ferrari finally decided to build a completely new car called Ferrari 250 LM and designed by Pininfarina.

1963 Ferrari 250 LM with chassis number of 5893 sat on display at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rLbhp0)

The new car is based on the Ferrari 250 P, which is predicted to be very suitable for GT racing after had some modifications. Although at first glance they look similar, the Ferrari 250 P and 250 LM have a very striking difference namely the roof addition and chassis tube, made of higher gauge of steel for extra rigidity.

The Ferrari 250 LM was first launched to the public at the 1963 Paris Auto Show (Paris Auto Salon), and soon the production version was built by the Maranello-based car manufacturer in 1964. There is a difference between the 250 LM car show version and the production version, namely the engine displacement.

1963 Ferrari 250 LM with chassis number of 5893 sat on display at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rLbhp0)

In the 250 LM show car version still used the GTO derived 3 litre engine, therefore it still deserves to be called 250 LM when referring to the name. Meanwhile, the production version uses the a bored 3.3 liter engine version. When referred to the tradition of naming Ferrari cars, the production version of the car should be called the 275 LM, but for commercial and homologation reasons the 250 was used.

The Ferrari 250 LM homologation request was rejected by the FIA in 1964, because (they assumed) Ferrari would never ever produce the 250 LM as many as 100 units as required. In the end, it turned out that Ferrari only built 32 units of the 250 LM, it's proves that the FIA's opinion is correct.

1963 Ferrari 250 LM with chassis number of 5893 sat on display at the 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3rLbhp0)

With the GT homologation refusal, the Ferrari 250 LM only qualified for the race in the prototype class, where it was up against more sophisticated rivals from its own stable. But it does not necessarily dampen the 250 LM's steps to performing and made shiny achievements on the racing track, and in 1964, 10 victories were scored out from 35 entries.

In 1965, as many as 5 units of 250 LM cars were brought to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans arena by privateers. At that time, the efforts of the Ferrari and Ford prototypes failed due to poor reliability, on the other hand, the NART raced with the 250 LM, managed to get its best win, plus two of the other four cars finished in the second and sixth. Although the 250 LM was not as successful as its predecessors, at least it managed to secure Ferrari's last overall the 24 Hours of Le Mans victory and to this day it has a special place in the hearts of Ferrari fans. 

With a limited production number of only 32 units, of course, making it one of the prized and rare of the prancing horse logoed sports cars. For this reason that a number of the 250 LM replicas were built, and it became chaotic when the original serial number was used on the replicas then makes many were confused. One thing is for sure, there are more than 250 LMs in existence today than originally left the factory. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | ULTIMATECARPAGE ]

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The first Costin-bodied Lister to be powered by Chevrolet race car

Unique ONES The world's racing car history has always been decorated with many remarkable four-wheeled vehicles which were specially made and designed by many capable designers and engineers based on science and technology according to its era. As the result, not infrequently from those R&D process there's a vehicle is born that looks unique and amazed many people while said, 'How come?'

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner was designed by aerodynamicist Frank Costin, and powered by the Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

The unique-shaped racing cars began to appear a lot in the racing season of 1950s and have continued until now. And one of them is the cynical-gazed Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner race car of the 1959 and had a fierce performances on the circuits. It's said that the Lister Costin Chevrolet race car represented a new direction for the British Brian Lister's car maker company through the slippery streamliner body was designed by aerodynamicist Frank Costin, and powered by the Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner is instantly recognizable by its low, streamlined bodies, which shows a striking difference from the previous Lister's 'Knobbly' design with its large wheel arches. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

As we already know, that Frank Costin is a former engineer at the de Havilland Aircraft Company and also known as one of the leading minds at adapting aircraft aerodynamics to racing cars. Previously, he had worked for Lotus on an advanced bodywork development project for the Lotus Mark VIII. If You wanna see several of Costin-designed cars, here they are ie the 1957 Maserati 450S Costin-Zagato Coupe, and 1970 Costin Amigo.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner has extraordinary abilities so that it becomes the holder of the highest Top Speed among its Lister-badged brethren. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

And in 1958, he was hired by Brian Lister to develop a new, more aerodynamic body for the Lister car. Reportedly, as part of the agreement between those two men that mentioned if Frank Costin designed a body for the 1958 car, so he would be allowed to design an entirely new frame for it. It's the first car to be powered by a Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine. In appearance, the Costin-designed race car is instantly recognizable by its low, streamlined bodies, which shows a striking difference from the previous Lister's 'Knobbly' design with its large wheel arches.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner 1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner's cockpit has a single seat, a steering wheel on the right side and a 4-speed gearbox. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

As quoted of DriveTribe, the OHV Corvette V8 engine is well mounted behind the front axle for optimal weight distribution and the top is covered with 8 mesh-covered velocity stacks that serve as an air cleaner. Then, its exhaust exits into long-tube headers that run to tubular mufflers on either side of the car, and there’s a rear-facing scoop on the bonnet to ensure plenty of cool air to feed the American V8.

For the car construction, most Lister cars of the time used a similar tubular ladder chassis, a de Dion rear axle, and inboard drum brakes (but with a few exceptions). The body is made of lightweight aluminum with a tiled front hood to allow track side mechanics to have plenty of access to the engine room, and the cockpit has a single seat, a steering wheel on the right side and a 4-speed gearbox.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner's cockpit has a single seat, a steering wheel on the right side and a 4-speed gearbox. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

The Costin designed car is also touted as a streamliner prototype which is famous for being more aerodynamically slippery than other Lister designs. Besides that, the 1959 car has extraordinary abilities so that it becomes the holder of the highest Top Speed among its Lister-badged brethren, this is understandable partlly due to the use of the latest American V8 engine.

And in 1959, the car with the chassis number of BHL 121 was purchased in new by John Ewers, and also raced on several circuits during that season at Crystal Palace (as number 64), Silverstone (as number 1), and in the following year at the Goodwood B.A.R.C. Members’ Meeting (number 98), where he enters a Whitsun Cup and Whitsun handicap race.

1959 Lister Costin Chevrolet Streamliner is real one-of-a-kind, and could be provided a front-running entry at many of the prestigious historic motoring events on its hey day. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3d3G7p9)

Then in 1960, the Lister's race car was then sent to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), because it was bought by Mr. Jimmy de Villiers, who had it campaigned in Africa by driver John Love. After a lengthy stay in sub-Saharan Africa, the BHL 121 found its way to America, where it's raced extensively on the west coast. Eventually the car was brought back to England after finished a comprehensive restoration by Canepa Design, a company based in California.

And throughout 2015 and 2016, the car had seen to public while driven by its owner in that time to be raced at the Goodwood Revival in 2015 and 2016, the Goodwood Members' Meeting 2015, and the Donington Historic Festival 2016. After that in the 2019, the car had been known to be offered through the Fiskens in London. This is real one-of-a-kind, and could be provided a front-running entry at many of the prestigious historic motoring events on its hey day. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FISKENS | SILODROME | DRIVETRIBE ]

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The tale about the Round Doors Roll

Legendary ONES It becomes something interesting to discuss, when there is a classic car that is touted as one of the legendary models made by the famous brand of Roll-Royce. As we know that in addition to producing super luxury vehicles, Roll-Royce is also known as an aircraft engines manufacturer.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

By hearing the brand name, some of us will immediately imagine it is a luxury vehicle. It is undeniable that the British brand has been synonymous with luxury vehicles for a long time. Various models have been launched by the British brand and all of them are labeled luxury and are always side by side with kings, state leaders, nobles, and millionaires who are known and registered as the users.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

For your information, the brand has a special characteristic attached on every its car products, the bonnet ornament sculpture called the Spirit of Ecstasy. It is in the form of a woman leaning forwards with her arms outstretched behind and above her. Billowing cloth runs from her arms to her back, resembling wings.

One model that bears the title of the most beautiful Rolls-Royce car ever graced our eyeballs is the 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll Actually, this is not the original car made by the British automotive manufacturer, but has undergone a bodywork overhaul carried out by Jonckheere Carrossiers,  a coachbuilder company of Belgium (the company still exists today as VDL Jonckheere).

In our opinion, the 1925 Jonckheere coupe could be compared to the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic which also looks like carries a similar design because it originates from the era of 1920s and 1930s as well.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

Indeed, custom coachbuilding in the 1920s and 1930s has become a self-expression form for the rich and famous make their owned vehicles looks unique and special. Well, in the hands of the Belgium coachbuilder, the 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I standard model experienced a drastic bodywork change into what is arguably the most ominous Rolls-Royce coachwork ever created.

The 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll uses the typical Phantom I straight 6 restored engine (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2O7tT4i)

As qouted of thetruthaboutthecars.com, initially this car started its life as 1925 Phantom I model with the stately Hooper cabriolet body, but was never delivered to its original Detroit purchaser for unknown reasons. Instead, it was later sold as a new car to Raja of Nanpara in northern India. After that, the Phantom I passed through several more owners before making its way to Belgium in 1932. Two years later the car found itself at the Jonckheere Carrossiers workshop undergoing an extensive makeover.

 

As quoted from heacockclassic.com, the fashionable aerodynamic fastback body fitted on the Phantom I today is undoubtedly inspired by the luxury French chassis and coachwork from designers such as Jacques Saoutchik, Joseph Figoni, and the house of Letourneur et Marchand. Some of the elements attached to this exotic coupe suggest that the Jonckheere Carrossiers have done something different in modifying a  Roll-Royce car and not many other designers or coachbuilders of the day had done.

Look how beautiful chrome and woodwork proudly displayed on the dashboard inside the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2O7tT4i)

At the time, there's very few designers considered (even dared) to modify the traditional Roll-Royce vertical grille, but look at what the Jonckheere did by a more streamlined profile for the new Phantom's body, coupled with a pair of bullet-shaped headlamps, flowing fenders and a long vertical tail fin under the boot lid finish off the sleek contours. That's an exotic touch and significantly made it appeared very different from the original Roll-Royce Phantom I model.

While others are still experimenting with oval doors, Jonckheere has boldly applied the unique, large round doors which operate flawlessly as the passenger access into one of the rows of seats. However, this round shape present an issue for operating windows. The solution was to fabricate a two piece window that simultaneously split like scissors down into the door.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

This car is nearly 20 feet long, so it can be called the largest 2-door coupe ever existed. Too bad a few years later the Jonckheere's workshop caught fire leaving all work records destroyed, so it remains unknown who commissioned or designed this one-of-a-kind automotive masterpiece.😭

Although this car is not a favored design by most die-hard Rolls-Royce enthusiasts, but throughout the existence of this car in the world, countless achievements have been made by it in winning over the Concours d’Elegance judge’s hearts.

Look how gorgeous the 1925 Roll-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe or Round Doors Roll while sat on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in 2016. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3cFAZXN)

Before the 2nd World War, the car landed in the United States after passed through several other owners. Reportedly, it was fell into disrepair due to negligence of the owner, but fortunately it was found again in the 1950s but in near derelict condition. This car was later acquired by Max Obie, an East Coast entrepreneur and early classic enthusiast. 

The car is refurbished by him and painted it gold with several pounds of actual gold flake added to the paint for maximum visual impact. After that the Round Doors Roll lived its life as a show car spiced with fake rumours, which was said once owned by King Edward VIII, later the Duke of Windsor. Max Obie's trick seems to have succeeded in attracting the press interest to expose the car and make it a money-making machine for him through much like a freak show.😒

After that the car went through several owner changes, culminating in the early 1990s, when a Japanese collector bought it at an auction for around $1.5 million. In the 2001, the Petersen Automotive Museum bought it for an unknown price in 2001.

For those of you who are still curious whether the Round Doors Roll is really a real car, You should come to see it on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE TRUTH ABOUT CARS | LEITHCARS | HEACOCKCLASSIC ]

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