The rose was the emblem of god Horus in ancient Egypt, later regarded by the Greeks and Romans as the god of silence. Silence however, many concluded, would be the final fate of Andrianos' much claimed "Project 1221", a very optimistic supercar proposal powered by state-of-the-art gas turbine technology. Indeed, many regarded the project as nothing more than mythology.

When word first circulated about the project in late 2004, news was quick to spread. The project presented a refreshing concept, and promised engineering and design input from automotive engineering guru Mauro Forghieri and ex-Pininfarina designer Emanuele Nicosia. A new experience in luxury transport was proposed by the firm, whilst a new land-speed production car record was also on the list of targets; a target that the company claimed would be set on a public road by an unskilled driver.

A company was registered in London and incorporated on November 1st 2004 for all intents and purposes related to the project. Shortly after, in June 2006, news emerged from the Paris Le Bourget Air Show revealing the type of power plant to be used as a gas-turbine unit. Briefly it even appeared as though Williams International would supply the units, with a press release appearing on their website. BBC journalist Richard Hammond's high profile accident in a jet-powered dragster coincided with a turning point in the project, with Williams International pulling out of the deal. It is rumoured by industry insiders that management got cold feet after the crash and had lost desire to be involved in a jet car project. Indeed, with benchmark speeds in excess of 400 km/h, and a record power to weight ratio of 1:1 this would be a seriously fast car.

1221 Management UK Ltd was dissolved on 6th August 2008, although company accounts show that this company had been dormant since at least November 2005. Indeed, it is likely that the London based company was used as no more than a name plate. Dust settled and thickened on the project, at least in the minds of the motoring press.

Fresh evidence acquired by Italiaspeed shines light on a possible future to the project and proves that it was indeed more than a random number. Andrianos has teamed up with Ukranian engineer Iaishnikov Vitalii, and the duo have successfully developed several designs relating to gas turbine technology which have now been patented. One such application was published earlier this year and provides an insight as to the likely technical specification of the MF1 supercar.

The design depicts a turbine-axial engine, featuring a high-pressure turbine as the "power turbine" and a low-pressure turbine used to propel an an electric hybrid propulsion system. The high-pressure and low-pressure turbines have inverse rotational direction. Power to the supercars' wheels is provided through a shaft from the high-pressure turbine via a transmission unit. The low-pressure turbine in turn is connected to an electric generator, which provides power to the vehicles wheels in sequel through electric engines. The modern hybrid design reveals the solution to the problem of power delivery lag, which haunted gas turbine applications to cars decades ago and forced engineers to abandon the idea. Indeed, for low speed use, propulsion from electric motors is effective and easily controllable.

As many large premium segment industry players, including Jaguar, Ferrari, Audi, and Rolls Royce, are announcing plans to launch innovative hybrid/electric luxury cars to the market in the future, the momentum is starting to turn to Project 1221 and it could yet reappear from under the rose.