In the years immediately following WWII, Europe was badly beaten and bombed out. Morale and optimism were virtually nonexistent. Enter mid- century visionary and successful English inventor Frank Stuart.
Stuart was intent on developing a way to boost the European economy as well as brighten the spirits of the general populous. The fruit of his labor is this mechanical Robot Walking Elephant Car.
We used to have a similar thing at the Christmas Pageant held in Adelaide, South Australia for many years. Not sure who made it. It tended to break down some years and not finish the pageant.