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The
1968 Ikenga MK ll GT was beautifully appointed with a custom leather interior
and Gucci fitted luggage in the boot. It featured phosphor luminescent
roof panels for interior lighting, full width fluorescent night lights
for city driving and a fold-away steering wheel. Potential buyers began
signing up for Ikenga and on a memorable occasion Prince Faisal of Saudi
Arabia and I visited Charlie's studio to work on the development of a
custom vehicle for him to be called Bird of Peace. One of the
challenges for our start-up organization, which took us to many European
capitals, was raising venture capital for the limited production phase.
As Ikenga's international media coverage soared, Charlie and I worked diligently to finalize a contract with a US group wanting the marketing rights to our six concept cars. What a joy that the option was secured on a summer morning in 1969. However, later that day Charlie's son telephoned; Charlie Williams had just died of a heart attack. Losing
this great man, friend, and teacher was deep-felt. With great sadness
the project was relocated to Radford's Coachworks, Ltd. in Hammersmith,
London. |
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