The Pink Panthermobile's designer, Ed 'Newt' Newton, attended Art Center School and then worked for Ed Roth airbrushing wierdo t-shirts.
As for faster backwards, the high tail and narrow rear track would work against it. But with the driver in the rear, I could see a big Rat Fink looming over the roof holding a six-foot floor shifter.
http://ratfinksofamerica.tumblr.com/page/9