What kind of car is this?

[Flybrian]

Hint #1: This car had automatic climate control.

[Satty]

Craig. Or Barry. Oh, you mean it already has a name and you want me to guess it. Is it Dwight?

[balthazar]

I can honestly (and somewhat embarassingly) say, I have never seen that one before in my life. Has the same wheelcovers as the '77 Pontiac Phantom seen recently on this board... I will say this- it did not originate from any domestic manufacturer. It has to be a custom.

[HarleyEarl]

It's so outlandish, it could be a Barris creation.

[balthazar]

Appears to be a modern pic... why haven't I seen this one before??? Almost has a Brooks Stevens look to it. Stumped...

[Flybrian]

Picture #2:


And another hint:
It was powered by a Ford V8 and was the only one made. One would think so seeing as it took seven years to build.

[Flybrian]

Bumped because of Northie/Harley's trivia orgy. :P I just really want to see if anyone knows this car.

[Northstar]

I've got no idea. How about another hint?

[razoredge]

I think Earl, Exner and one of the Fords, got together with George Barris and did this last time for old times sake car, but were highly "challanged" from age. This things got styling cues or maybe even entire body panels cut from many cars welded up and turned into a collage (sp). Its a stylists nightmare turned into reality All in all even with the Ford engine I say its highly Exnerized. Looks like an Imperial of some sorts.

[Flybrian]

The answer lies somewhere beyond the sea, guys... ; ^_^

Another hint:

Here's the car with its owner, who suggested elements of the car to the designer, who usually doesn't design cars.

Instead of metalflake, how about diamond dust? That's what was in the original paint until it was restored.

[razoredge]

Is that Bobby Darin ? Designed by Georgeo ?

[HarleyEarl]

Was the designer like a clothes designer?....I did some research, names of that era were Oleg Cassini, Pierre Cardin....not Coco Chanel?!...Dolce and Gabbana?lol.

[razoredge]

http://www.bobbydarin.net/bdcar.html

I never would have got it without the clue and his face. I didnt even catch on to beyuond the sea, I just thought you meant a European car

[Flybrian]

You got it, Razor.

It was known as the DiDia150 and it took six/seven years to build and had thirty coats of paint applied originally. It was also aluminum-bodied and cost about $150,000. But, it was Bobby Darin, so he could afford it.

Here's a shot of the interior:

[razoredge]

Well all that story makes the car very appealing. It has such a interesting origin. I suppose its right up there with the best of the 50's show or dream cars. I still say the roof and windows were taken straight from an Imperial Very cool

[razoredge]

Didnt Darin die a poor man who couldnt even take care of his health. I understand heartbreak now that Im older.

[HarleyEarl]

This is such an interesting bit of auto history and way to go razor for picking up on the Darrin connection.....Mac the Knife baby...

[Flybrian]

Didnt Darin die a poor man who couldnt even take care of his health. I understand heartbreak now that Im older.

[post="5654"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

He didn't die poor at all actually. He did die at a young age (37) because of complications realting to rheumatic feaver he contracted as a child. The doctors said he would be lucky to see his 15th birthday, so living twice that especially with his level of activity was amazing. It was actually blood poisoning he got from a dental visit that killed Darin.

Really an amazing guy if you ask me. One of my favorite performers of the era and of all time.

[HarleyEarl]

absolutely agree about Bobby Darrin....one of my favorites....so who desined then?.....the dash looks amazingly modern...just put some padding and plastic.. When you calculate those 150,000 dollars...it must translate to a million dollars in todays currency. Edited August 29, 2005 by HarleyEarl

[razoredge]

I've yet to see the movie but need to. I have quite a taste for Darin, Sanatra, and all the old greats, they got the best of Americas hey day all over their music.

[HarleyEarl]

Razor so agree....it was a golden era in American history....class act all the way.

[razoredge]

I think that car is Mac the Knife, this is really a great story, one big atta boy for Mr Darin.

[Sixty8panther]

Wow... cool. I learned something new.

[Imaj]

never seen that before, it looks great in the first shot..