Solved - NEH 2219: Mercedes 300CE Custom by Muffato Nereu de Oliveira

[Carnut]

If you can bear to even look at it, what is it, from where and based on what - for 1 point?:

ANYONE FOUND GIVING ANSWERS GLEANED BY USING GOOGLE SEARCH BY IMAGE MAY BE BANNED FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD!

[thehotstepper]

I don't know what it is... but it reminds me of a modern take on the Flajole Forerunner... which would be a random car to emulate. Interesting

[Carnut]

Experts?

[thorax]

Mercedes underneath?

[Carnut]

Mercedes underneath?

Apparently so, yes.  But how on earth could you tell that?!

Here's a front view:

[Carnut]

Professionals?

[RayTheRat]

I stumbled across this on a site that only described it as a "custom based on a Mercedes" and it was spotted somewhere in Europe.

[Carnut]

I stumbled across this on a site that only described it as a "custom based on a Mercedes" and it was spotted somewhere in Europe.

Yes - but it has a name!
1 point if you can find it!

[RayTheRat]

I stumbled across this on a site that only described it as a "custom based on a Mercedes" and it was spotted somewhere in Europe.

Yes - but it has a name!
1 point if you can find it!

Piece o' cake, guv'nor.  I'll have it in a jiffy.  (insert sarcasm smiley here.)

Well, maybe not completely hopeless.  I found that it's based on a Mercedes-Benz CE 300 chassis.

[Carnut]

I'll lock it for Ray for 24 hours to have a good dig around and keep the scavengers out...!

[RayTheRat]

Go ahead and unlock it.  I've run out of ideas.

[pnegyesi]

Ray, you're only a tiny step away from solving it, don't dispair. Where you found it, you can see its name!

[RayTheRat]

Duh.  MUFFALO.  At least that's what the tag sez. 

[Carnut]

Duh.  MUFFALO.  At least that's what the tag sez.  

It would take someone very brave (or stupid!) to call a car a Muffalo I think..!
That's not its name, sorry.

Pal is being a true gentleman!

[pnegyesi]

I even sent a PM to Ray with the correct name. It is called Riva Custom

[Carnut]

Pal gets the point I'm afraid Ray.
This must be the picture you saw; look at its licence plate!
Believe the modifications were done in Italy but don't think ItalDesign were involved...!

[RayTheRat]

   

Can I just claim temporary insanity?

Yes, Pal told me where to look in a gesture of outstanding sportsmanship that won't be forgotten.  However, I read the comment where someone mentioned the "plate" with "Muffalo" on it.  I read that as "Mercedes Buffalo" which seemed to make sense at the time.  For a guy who has a license plate that says "BURRRRB" on his Suburban, it seemed to make sense, anyway.

Can we place an order for more bags?  I think I'm just about to run out of 'em.

[dzima1985]

The Mercedes-Benz 320 CE-based Muffalo was spotted at the Auto e Moto d'Epoca in Padua'2013...
... a price - 59000 euro

[thorax]

terrific 

[Paul Jaray]

It was for sale again this year....and it's Muffato...even worse!

[Iluvatar]

Ther car was for sale at Milano Autoclassica (Pananti auction) claimed to be built by Mario Borella, designed by Nereu Muffato, on Mercedes 320 CE basis.
The car is called "Velvet 3.2 CE (1994/2011)" and there are no trace of Riva in the description. The only names are carrozzeria Mira of Venice for the paint and Italfodere of Mestre for interors.

[Carnut]

Well, it was certainly called that when the puzzle was posted..
It was even written in the space for the front number plate in my picture in Reply #15!
Things change as time goes on..

[Iluvatar]

Picture form yesterday auction. I shoot only this one cause I was afraid of breaking the camera... 

[grobmotorix]

 

[Paul Jaray]

Title should be changed...out of respect for Riva: