Detroit native “Screwy Louie” Mattar moved to San Diego after working within the auto business and serving within the U.S. Navy, the place he constructed minesweepers. Once he settled in California, Mattar started engaged on the Cadillac that might ultimately grow to be often called the Perpetual Motion Machine. Mattar initially meant the automobile to be a tenting automobile and outfitted it with a 50-gallon water tank, tv, sink, rest room, bathe, washer, and ironing board. 

There was additionally an electrical cooking range, a bar, a soda fountain, and an in-dash hookah. Mattar designed a number of methods to take care of and refuel the automobile whereas in movement, together with retractable operating boards and a jack that might raise the automobile at low speeds so he and his two co-pilots may change tires on the go. The hood had clear panels so the motive force may see forward whereas it was raised for upkeep, and Mattar constructed a system that might robotically refresh the engine oil each 1,000 miles and one other that might hold the radiator topped off.

All of the modifications took Mattar seven years and price $35,000 — equal to a bit of greater than $400,000 in at this time’s cash.