Rochester's Rod

Eddie Anderson made a career on radio and television playing Rochester Van Jones, valet , handyman and comedic foil to Jack Benny for almost 30 years.
  Some in our modern age are quick to disparage him for playing such a demeaning role (despite the fact that if anyone bothered to listen, they'd see that he was the one upstaging Benny). He wasn't a dumb buffoon though, and had many interest outside of acting.

  Not many people know that he designed and built this car, for instance.
 In 1951 Anderson combined a Cadillac engine under the hood and a sleek, low-slung exterior to create a car that he both drove and exhibited at various sports car shows throughout the country.

clipping from  Jet Magazine, February 7, 1952