One of two surviving examples of this wacky and wonderful hunting car from the eccentric mind of Bruce Baldwin Mohs. The subject of a highly detailed, four-year restoration, and winner of an AACA Grand National award. A fascinating and delightfully offbeat slice of Americana.
As its name suggests, Mohs envisioned the Safarikar as a rugged machine capable of tackling the rigors of African Safaris, but with the luxury, exclusivity, and quality of a Rolls-Royce. That was the idea, anyway. As before, Mohs turned to International for the underpinnings, utilizing the robust chassis, suspension, and driveline from the Travelall. He then added a sub-structure consisting of tungsten-alloy bulkheads, aluminum panels, and steel outriggers. The body styling was unconventional, to say the least, made even more so by Mohs’ use of padded Naugahyde upholstery on the exterior. Features include an oversized Rolls-Royce style radiator shell, heavy-duty bumpers, a folding multi-piece hard top described by Mohs as a “dual cowl phaeton,” though one would have to squint to make that visual connection. Tires were again nitrogen filled and fitted to unique wheels; there was a continental spare wheel, and the pièce de resistance – horizontally-opening slide-out doors designed so occupants could target wild game while on the move. Restoration of the body consumed more than 40 yards of Naugahyde and polyurethane foam, along with 7,000 stainless steel staples!
