Earlier within the 12 months, I made a decision to show a Speedhunting journey all the way down to Hiroshima into a bit of 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 prospects and served delicate dishes in fast succession. Being extra of a ramen and faucet beer bloke I felt a bit of out of my depth, however when the chef requested if we knew in regards to 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 F.H.Royce Museum. Photos of traditional automobiles, chandeliers, an opulent gold-trimmed chaise and an proprietor who seemed a bit of 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 price 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 high of an ornate vintage buffet?

Sadly, the museum’s eccentric proprietor, Mr. Hidenori Hayashi, was unable to fulfill with me – I’d have actually liked to fulfill the person that constructed this place – however a member of his employees (absolutely tuxedoed up with pink uwabaki, I’d add) was readily available to offer us a bit of 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 inconceivable to recollect.

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

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

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

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

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

They are saying it’s all within the particulars although, so I hope you’ve seen the embossed Bentley emblem on the boot, the jewel-encrusted badges, the smoked headlights, fake stacked exhaust ideas and a sprinkling of LED lights for some additional sparkle.

Now, I’m certain lots of you’re questioning the worth of such a distinctive styling alternative. I’m too, and I ponder whether having the one one among one thing goes to drive the desirability of this automotive, or whether or not it signifies that there’s just one for a cause. I’ll allow you to determine.

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

One factor is for sure although, in case you’re ever going to discover a automotive like this in a spot like this, it’s going to be in Japan.

Toby Thyer
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