Earlier within the yr, I made a decision to show a Speedhunting journey all the way down to Hiroshima into slightly vacation with my accomplice.

At one level through the getaway we discovered ourselves in a flowery little bistro which seated all of 10 prospects and served delicate dishes in fast succession. Being extra of a ramen and faucet beer bloke I felt slightly out of my depth, however when the chef requested if we knew concerning the automobile museum on Kurahashi-jima, I used to be rapidly introduced again into my consolation zone. A automobile museum on an island? Now that wanted some investigation.

A fast search on Google Maps unearthed the F.H.Royce Museum. Footage of basic automobiles, chandeliers, an opulent gold-trimmed chaise and an proprietor who appeared slightly like a wax dummy from Madame Tussauds, meant a highway 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 came upon, the F.H.Royce Museum itself doubles as a restaurant and resort, and even has its personal non-public seashore.

Inside, you’ll 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 completely excessive, however completely superb 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 fulfill with me – I’d have actually beloved to fulfill the person that constructed this place – however a member of his employees (absolutely tuxedoed up with pink uwabaki, I’d add) was available to provide us slightly tour.

I’ll admit, a lot of the data he advised me went in a single ear and out the opposite; a burble of dates and manufacturing numbers that have been not possible to recollect.

However amidst all of the basic and classic equipment sat one thing a lot totally different. The elephant within the room was a bippu (VIP) fashion 1996 Bentley Continental R.

Certain, the museum assortment was just about all Rolls-Royces and Bentleys and this was one of many latter, nevertheless it positively got here as a shock. Or possibly it shouldn’t have given what I had already seen elsewhere within the venue.

This specific Continental R was one among that final coach-built automobiles to go away the Mulliner Parks Ward manufacturing unit in Willesden, London. But it surely’s what was completed to the enormous coupé after it left the UK that’s necessary right here.

Someday throughout its life in Japan, this Bentley was given the appropriate royal wide-body therapy. Customized vented fenders have added 140mm, pushing out the automobile’s total width to a maniacal 2.01m (6.6ft).

However not solely has it gone out, it’s additionally gone down – means down over big 22-inch wheels.

They are saying it’s all within the particulars although, so I hope you’ve 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’m certain a lot of you’re questioning the worth of such a distinctive styling selection. I’m too, and I wonder if having the one one among one thing goes to drive the desirability of this automobile, or whether or not it implies that there’s just one for a cause. I’ll allow you to resolve.

Mr. Hayashi clearly loves this factor, therefore why he added it to his assortment. He additionally drives the bippu Bentley commonly, which is superior.

One factor is for sure although, for those who’re ever going to discover a automobile like this in a spot like this, it’s going to be in Japan.

Toby Thyer
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