We’re all a little crazy, no? Maybe even spent some time on the couch asking what it’s all about. Not that big of a deal when compared to eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes who suffered a well-documented case of OCD with a multitude of phobias. For a peek into the idiosyncrasies that dominated his life, check out his modified 1953 Buick Roadmaster featured in Hemming’s Motor News.

Hughes was larger than life, think Elon Musk, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates combined. He was a media mogul, titan of aviation, lady’s man and a household name. All that means nothing when the bells tolls and Hughes died in 1976 a recluse, 6’4 and 90 lbs.

This four-porthole Roadmaster was allegedly his favorite car and the last one he ever drove. It logged a mere 5,339 original miles before it was put on blocks and squirreled away in a garage in Hollywood for 20 years. The car is very original and includes breakthrough post-war General Motors technology including the first Buick  Nailhead V-8 and an elaborate early air conditioning system (which was offered on Cadillacs as well).

The car still has factory original  Pastel Blue/Seafoam Green paint and “perfect” blue wool and nylon broadcloth interior. The billionaire wanted to motor around Southern California unnoticed, so the exterior was purposely left showroom stock. All in all a beautiful, low mile original car, then it veers off into the peculiar. A notorious recluse and germaphobe, the following modifications were executed at Hughes’ direction:

• Full 24-volt aircraft electrical system in conjunction with regular 12-volt system
• Air conditioning system runs 100% on electricity
• Air conditioning compressor driven by an electric motor
• Cooling fans built into both fenders to cool 24-volt generator and 24-volt motor for air conditioning
• Complete 24-volt electric panel on firewall
• Larger Air Conditioner roof vents
• Air diffusers changed to aircraft type
• Trunk-mounted air conditioning unit redesigned to flow air through dust trap filter and bacteria filter
• Trunk contains four 6-volt batteries – 24-volts to power auxiliary systems
• Plug-in attachment under trunk to jump airplanes
• All windows and vents (except driver’s) are locked, sealed and inoperative, vents and heaters removed and firewall completely sealed
• Continental kit built by Hughes Aircraft, due to lack of trunk space
• Air conditioning fully operable without engine running

Part of the Ron Pratt Collection, last time it sold it was in the crossfire of a three-way bidding war and when the dust settled it brought $1.65M, a record for a production Buick. It will be crossing the block again January 10^th-13^th, 2015 at Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona. We’ll have to tune in to see if this 1953 Roadmaster from an eccentric billionaire owner breaks the record it already holds. For additional details, visit Barrett-Jackson.com.