The 'Aviator' Howard Hughes Movie Car Auction

By James Wray Dec 20, 2004, 13:53 GMT

Aviation genius Howard Hughes will have an omnipresence at the 34th Annual Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction at WestWorld in Scottsdale when the movie car used in the "Aviator," a possible Academy Award nominated film that documents Hughes' early life, is auctioned off at No Reserve, while the car owned, customized and driven by Hughes himself is on display to the public.

"This year's auction will combine the past and present with two cars linked to Howard Hughes," said Craig Jackson, president of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. "Under one roof, you have the mystique of a movie car driven by present-day celebrity Leonardo DiCaprio and a customized classic car owned and driven by the aviation genius he portrays."

Crossing the auction block at the Scottsdale Auction is a 1937 Ford Cabriolet Convertible, the documented movie car featured in the "Aviator," starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The film is directed by Martin Scorsese.

On display at the auction will be the 1953 Buick four-door Roadmaster originally titled to Hughes Productions, a Howard Hughes company.

"The 1953 Roadmaster was purchased off the blocks at 7000 Romain, in Hollywood, CA, where it had been sitting since Hughes last drove the car. My brother Brian actually went to get the car out of storage when our family purchased it," said Jackson. "It's a situation of 'if these walls could talk' because the history and stories attached to the car are legendary."

1953 Buick Roadmaster

The Roadmaster, with only 5339 miles, is pastel blue with a seafoam green top. The car is in top condition with the original blue wool, broadcloth and nylon interior and all appointments including carpets and instruments. Along with the California license plate are its 1958 registration tags.

But, that's not all that makes this car so interesting.

Hughes drove the Roadmaster while he stayed at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where he suffered his second nervous breakdown that amplified his strange behavior. Hughes' obsessive personality is evident with the alterations and additions to this personal car.

Much of the Roadmaster has been converted with aircraft electrical systems, including the air conditioning that runs completely on electricity and is fully operable when the engine is not running. Hughes, obsessed with germs, redesigned the system for air to flow through a dust trap and bacterial filter mounted in the trunk of the Roadster. The vent and heaters were removed and firewall completely sealed. The air conditioning ducts were installed on the roof and the diffusers were changed to aircraft type. All windows except for the drivers are locked, sealed and inoperative from the inside.

The Roadmaster is where Hughes conducted many of his meetings to avoid being bugged or taped.

In addition to the car's typical 12-volt system, Hughes had a full 24-volt aircraft electrical system installed with a plug-in attachment under the trunk. Hughes would not disclose which airport or plane in his personal fleet he planned to use when traveling. The attachment gave him the ability to drive onto a tarmac and personally jumpstart his plane, thereby outsmarting his enemies and traveling undetected.

Hughes' categorical success has made him an American legend. This car is an example of the eccentricities in his personality that have made him one of the most fascinating individuals in American history.

The 1953 Buick Roadmaster will be on display at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction and will be put up for sale at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction, at No Reserve.

The Barrett-Jackson Classic and Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale is scheduled for January 25 -- 30, 2005 at WestWorld in Scottsdale, with the annual gala taking place on Jan. 25. The Palm Beach Auction will run March 31 -- April 3, 2005.

Source: Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction