1972 Bugazzi Custom Coupe Hardtop Coupe

The Bugazzi Custom is a styling exercise created by some of the industry's most talented and creative designers. Car show promoter Paul Rimmer enlisted ex-GM stylist Harry Bradly to create a dream car. Bradley's resume includes memorable vehicles like the Dodge Deora, the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile, and many others, including some of the original Hot Wheels cars.

The goal was to build an American Rolls-Royce using a Lincoln Mark IV platform.

Rimmer purchased California Show Cars in Long Beach who had a reputation for building famous show cars such as the Pink Panther and the Sex Machine. Production of the Bugazzi soon started, and then abruptly stopped. Enter Kustom Kar builder George Barris. At the time, Barris was building a custom Lincoln 'Titan', and he took over production of the Bugazzi and had plans to make as many as 25 examples per year, each for $29,500. This was an extremely high figure for the time, especially considering the Lincoln Mark IV listed for $8,640 and a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was $19,700.

The owners of the Bugazzi cars included Enzo Stuarti, Jack Hennesey, Pia Maria, Joe Comforte, and Danny Thomas. Motor Trend even awarded the Bugazzi, 'Car of the Month' in July 1973.

The list of customization done on the Bugazzi includes hand formed brass radiator, a six-inch longer frontal area, dual floating oversized square brass headlights, modified front fenders, front-to-rear running boards, radiused rolled wheel wells, canted door windows, air-foam padded top, radial laced wire wheels with brass knock-offs and hubs, concave trunk panel to house the tire insert, and opera styled reduced semi-curved rear window. Inside, there are decorative Italian marble panels, vanity cases and mirrors, and a center armrest swing-down bar. There is a chrome-accented engine compartment and white pearl paint. There are gold leaf pin stripes and trim, Persian style carpets in the passenger and luggage compartments, custom faux side pipes, 24 Karat gold wheel trim, George Barris badging and a custom mounted, period correct black and white television.

It is believed that 12 examples were created and currently, only three are known to exist.

In 2009, this car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions, where it was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $60,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $19,800, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2009