The Mohs Ostentatienne Opera Sedan And SafariKar
Posted by Ross Rosenberg
The Telegraph has a series of Digg/filler articles up, listing “The 100 ugliest cars of all time” — currently they have reached number twenty. The veracity of such a list is not something which I care to discuss, the subjective nature of such an endeavor making criticism moot. Surely, there are some truly hideous cars on this list, but there are also automobiles contained within that do not strike me as “ugly” per se.
The one vehicle that really stood out, however, was the Mohs Ostentatienne Opera sedan, a car who wore its luxurious absurdity on its sleeve. Powered by a truck engine, the car could only be entered from a large, rear hatch as the long, steel bars that ran the length of the car prevented the use of side doors, and the tires were filled with nitrogen. The name of the car refers to the extras one could request for the interior, including gold inlaid instrument panels, Ming style oriental rugs, and refrigerators.
Yet, while the Ostentatienne is nice, it pales in comparison to the Mohs SafariKar, perhaps the closest a car manufacturer has come to producing a real life Transformer.
The SafariKar was made from aluminum and the outside was upholstered with Naugahyde, stretched over foam padding, for safety; or for playing Bumper Cars, whichever you prefer. The SafariKar differs from the Ostentatienne greatly in the sense that, while one had to crawl into the Ostentatienne in order to partake of the opulent ride, here one could simply choose to peel back most of the car’s exterior to enjoy optional comforts such as a television, two-way radio, “butane furnace”, or fold out bed.
One thing is certain, the image emblazoned on the minds of onlookers when one arrives in a giant black automobile, two thirds of which retracts, like a sleek, metal foreskin in order for the occupants to exit, simply oozes luxury, yes? Either that or an overwhelming lack of self-esteem.
The 100 ugliest cars [Telegraph] : Diary of a Mad Naturalist : retractable hardtop online
Categories: Cars, Gimme, Luxury
Posted at 12:39 pm on August 28, 2008
8 Comments -
I’m pretty fond of the SafariKar… just add some retractable spikes on the doors, and you’re ready for a Death Race.
Comment by chesh — August 28, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
Dang, I want one of these! I advise readers to take a look at the Ural motorcycle from Russia. Last chance to own one of these beauties!
Comment by Mogothe Mugger — August 28, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
Mogo: I’m not sure if I love you or hate you for showing me these.
Comment by chesh — August 28, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
This vehicle definitely belongs in Phantasm. The first one. The creepy low budget 70s one. With the interdimensional morphed-by-Saturn’s-gravity dwarves.
Mogo the Urals are indeed cool, based on BMW bikes from the 40s… and are by no means rare since they have a few dealers here in the states. Add a sidecar, gattling gun, & a hockey mask and ou’re good.
Comment by SM — August 28, 2008 @ 7:08 pm
I recall when Mohs (a seaplane manufacturer) started this project. I wanted the Opera Sedan in the worst way! When I found out that Johnny Carson bought one, I wanted one even more. Being a grunt in Vietnam at the time, the money waswn’t there. Anyone know where one is- for sale???
Comment by Eddie — January 18, 2009 @ 12:18 am
Further to my first, the engine was a standard medium-duty International Harvester model.
I don’t recall the exact weight, but I think it weighed in at about 8,500 lbs. Note the front bumper: steel I-beam!
Comment by Eddie — January 18, 2009 @ 12:28 am
I first heard of these cars in The Book of Lemons. Who in their right mind would upholster the exterior of a car?
Wait, why am I using the phrase “right mind” regarding these cars?
Comment by Erick — April 4, 2009 @ 5:16 pm
Just thought you’d like to know the real reason for padding the outside of the Safarikar. It was to keep things quiet so you could sneak up on animals when you went out on safari. Seriously.
Bob
Comment by Bob Sindeldecker — July 11, 2009 @ 7:12 pm