Earlier within the 12 months, I made a decision to show a Speedhunting journey all the way down to Hiroshima into a little bit vacation with my associate.
At one level in the course of the getaway we discovered ourselves in a elaborate little bistro which seated all of 10 clients and served delicate dishes in fast succession. Being extra of a ramen and faucet beer bloke I felt a little bit out of my depth, however when the chef requested if we knew concerning the automotive museum on Kurahashi-jima, I used to be rapidly introduced again into my consolation zone. A automotive museum on an island? Now that wanted some investigation.
A fast search on Google Maps unearthed the FHRoyce Museum. Photos of traditional automobiles, chandeliers, an opulent gold-trimmed chaise and an proprietor who regarded a little bit like a wax dummy from Madame Tussauds, meant a street journey was inevitable.
The journey all the way down to the south coast of Kurahashi-jima is value it only for the surroundings. Archipelagoes spanned with suspension bridges, dotted with fishing villages and inhabited by eagles and hawks – it was breathtaking.
As we quickly discovered, the FHRoyce Museum itself doubles as a restaurant and lodge, and even has its personal personal seashore.
Inside, you may discover an extravagant, fluorescent pink-embellished ballroom and a lounge stuffed from ceiling to wall with mannequin automobiles of all makes and fashions. It’s very excessive, however completely wonderful on the identical time.
Is that Dominic Toretto’s Charger on prime of an ornate vintage buffet?
Sadly, the museum’s eccentric proprietor, Mr. Hidenori Hayashi, was unable to satisfy with me – I’d have actually beloved to satisfy the person that constructed this place – however a member of his employees (totally tuxedoed up with pink uwabakiI’d add) was available to offer us a little bit tour.
I am going to admit, many of the data he instructed me went in a single ear and out the opposite; a burble of dates and manufacturing numbers that had been unimaginable to recollect.
However amidst all of the traditional and classic equipment sat one thing a lot completely different. The elephant within the room was a bippu (VIP) type 1996 Bentley Continental R.
Positive, the museum assortment was just about all Rolls-Royces and Bentleys and this was one of many latter, but it surely undoubtedly got here as a shock. Or perhaps it should not have given what I had already seen elsewhere within the venue.
This specific Continental R was one of many final coach-built automobiles to go away the Mulliner Parks Ward manufacturing facility in Willesden, London. Nevertheless it’s what was accomplished to the large coupé after it left the UK that is vital right here.
Someday throughout its life in Japan, this Bentley was given the precise royal wide-body remedy. Customized vented fenders have added 140mm, pushing out the automotive’s total width to a maniacal 2.01m (6.6ft).
However not solely has it gone out, it is also gone down – means down over large 22-inch wheels.
They are saying it is all within the particulars although, so I hope you’ve got observed the embossed Bentley brand on the boot, the jewel-encrusted badges, the smoked headlights, fake stacked exhaust ideas and a sprinkling of LED lights for some further sparkle.
Now, I am positive lots of you might be questioning the worth of such a distinctive styling alternative. I’m too, and I ponder whether having the one one in every of one thing goes to drive the desirability of this automotive, or whether or not it signifies that there’s just one for a purpose. I am going to allow you to determine.
Mr. Hayashi clearly loves this factor, therefore why he added it to his assortment. He additionally drives the bippu Bentley often, which is superior.
One factor is for sure although, for those who’re ever going to discover a automotive like this in a spot like this, it should be in Japan.
Toby Thyer
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tobythyer.co.uk
