1972 Bugazzi Two-Door Custom Coupe by George Barris

I spotted this in the car park at the Hershey Lodge during the swap meet in the Pennsylvania chocolate town last October. The Bugazzi was originally the idea of a talented car show promoter and designed by an ex-GM stylist, however manufacture was soon taken over by legendary custom-car creator George Barris, the intention being to sell up to 25 a year of what was termed "an American Rolls-Royce".









The car on which the Bugazzi was based, the Lincoln MkIV, was quite striking as it was but the Bugazzi is of another league entirely. The pinstriping is hand-applied gold leaf, the headlamps sit in brass surrounds and the wheel covers feature more gold - 24 carat. Thirty coats of pearl lacquer lay over the base white, and the interior is decorated with Italian marble. Only in 70s America could such wondrously kitsch vulgarity exist.

Twelve were made in total, selling for nearly three and a half times the cost of the base Lincoln and $10,000 more than a Rolls-Royce. Three are believed to still exist today. This one sold for $19,800 on the day I saw it and was recently back up for sale at $99,000 - quite an increase! But even at that price, what else could you buy that looks quite like it?