Vehicle Description
In the long and rich history of the automobile, there has been no
shortage of starry-eyed dreamers with the resources to bring their
far-out ideas to fruition. Paging through our well-worn reference
books likeThe Standard Catalog of American Carsor theBeaulieu
Encyclopedia of the Automobile, we find a wealth of motoring
curiosities, many of which have faded into obscurity and are
long-lost in the shadow of failure. But thankfully for enthusiasts
of the unconventional, a few of these lovable misfits have survived
the test of time, embraced and carefully preserved by connoisseurs
of the odd-ball, avant-garde, and downright wacky. There are few
wackier creations than those of Mr. Bruce Baldwin Mohs of Madison,
Wisconsin. Mohs was an inventor, entrepreneur, engineer, big-game
hunter, and all-around celebrator of the eccentric. He invented the
instant milkshake, the reflective trim strip used on highway
barriers, built a giant motor scooter, constructed seaplanes, and
built mechanical props for Hollywood filmmakers like Alfred
Hitchcock, among other ventures. In the late 1960s, he added
"automobile manufacturer" to his vastly diverse resume. His first
project was the aptly namedOstentatienne Opera Sedanof 1968. This
bizarre creation was based on an International truck chassis, with
a 304 cubic-inch V8 from the same source. In lieu of conventional
side doors, it featured a single rear-entry door that opened like a
flying saucer. It also had 20-inch wheels with nitrogen-filled
whitewall tires, a butane furnace, refrigerator, two-way radio, and
more. Mohs priced his shocking creation at an equally shocking
$19,600, going to $25,600 for the top model. Unsurprisingly, there
were no takers, and only a single prototype was built. Mohs hoped
for better results with his second attempt, the 1973 Safarikar as
offered here. He was indeed more successful, but only just - as
only three were built. This example is one of two known survivors
and was considered long lost for many years. In 2009, its most
recent owner saw mention of a Safarikar in an AACA forum and set
out searching for the mythical beast. He discovered it quietly
decaying in a Georgia parking lot, tracked down the owner, and
struck a deal to buy it. He then embarked on a painstaking
four-year restoration to return the outlandish Safarikar to life.
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 piece 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! The interior is no less unusual. First and foremost is the
three-abreast seating, which undoubtedly inspired Gordon Murray in
his creation of the McLaren F1... or so we'd like to believe. The
bucket seats are by Solar Automotive, developed and patented by
racer and actor Steve McQueen for the rigorous Baja 1000. The rear
bench seat converts into a sleeping platform for long nights out on
the hunt, and there's room to stand up and shoot. The dash is
essentially standard International fare and features both an AM/FM
radio and a period-correct Motorola CB radio for communicating with
base camp. As with the body, the interior is meticulously restored
to original specifications, using (large quantities of)
period-correct materials. Taking a page from Rolls-Royce, Mohs
described the power output as "adequate" in factory literature.
Given its substantial girth, the Safarikar won't likely win many
drag races, but the 392 cubic-inch International V8 offers gobs of
low-end torque. As with the rest of the car, the engine bay is
appropriately detailed, with high-quality International red paint
on the block and correct labels and decals on the accessories. It
retains the correct piston-style A/C compressor and features power
brakes and power steering. The big V8 runs well, sending power to
the rear wheels via an automatic transmission. The painstaking,
concours-quality restoration has been recognized with numerous
awards and accolades, and unsurprisingly, the Safarikar draws
crowds of curious onlookers wherever it goes. It has appeared at
several prestigious concours events, including the Amelia Island
Concours, and has won AACA National and Grand National awards at
the Hershey Fall Meet. Delightfully off-center, totally outlandish,
and with a face only a mother could love, the Mohs Safarikar
provides a fascinating glimpse into the fertile mind of Bruce Mohs.
Please note car is titled as a 1975. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6816-1975-mohs-safarikar/
