NUBAR GULBENKYAN Biography

Message Hello Friends! I present to your attention the translation of an article dedicated to one of the cars of the eccentric Armenian financier Nubar Gulbenkyan. But a serious obstacle arose between Nubar Gulbenkian and his family: his father, colorful entrepreneur, art collector and philanthropist Galust Sarkis Gulbenkyan, who believed that keeping his son on a short leash was the most effective form of education.

After the father of his father refused to reimburse him for 4 dollars and 50 cents for lunch with chicken, Gulbenkeyan sued his parent, demanding 10 million dollars. In the end, he inherited the condition that allowed him to live the life of a real English gentleman and extract the maximum benefits from his position. The Gulbenkean born in the Ottoman Empire reminded the Tintin character of a series of comics about an energetic reporter with a funny Chub.

A long beard, a monocle, a fresh orchid in a buttonhole - he was a kind of eccentric playboy, who lived his life in one endless pursuit of pleasure. As his friend was summed up by Cambridge, commenting on the passionate lifestyle of the millionaire: “Nubar is so cool that every day he exhausts three exchange maclers, three horses and three women.” And, of course, at his disposal there were many cars with which you can also play.

He had two Austin FX4 London taxis, converted in the style of carriage, with gold decor and rolses. Naturally, Gulbenkeyan put forward quite straightforward requirements when ordering a Mercedes S in X. When the German automaker refused the request to install a completely glass roof, he simply ordered a car under a fictional name through the French dealer and immediately took it to the body of the body of Henri Shapron, where the multimillionaire was met with open arms.

The glass ceiling was only the beginning. Since Gulbenkeyan wanted to be able to admire the stars at night, the rear seats were now laid out in a double bed. The door panels were equipped with hand mirrors, and glass deflectors are designed in such a way as to minimize drafts in the cab. Between the pillows, special holders for smoking tubes, as well as a minibar, were installed.

Being the son of his father, Gulbekyan looked after his drivers: in the back of the cabin there was a speedometer and a indicator of fuel level. And, which is not atypical for that period, there was no tree in the interior decoration - luxurious skin was used instead. And he adhered to such beliefs until the last days of his life. After he died of a heart attack on the Cote d'Azur in the year, the New York Times, the oil magnate’s memory, as a “tireless ladies' saint, the extraordinary gourmet and the most colorful of the Bonvivans who practiced a frank epicurean philosophy.” His necrologist is definitely worth it to read it!