Nethercutt Collection

NewsletterApril 2018Issue No. 30

1st Tour of 2018

At the Nethercutt Collection Sylmar, CA

1934 PackardOne of 260

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Arriving at the NethercuttApril 28, 2018

On a beautiful April morning, 21 members and significant others arrived to tour the NethercuttCollection for our second time as a club event. Although it has been five years since we lastvisited, it’s been one of the most anticipated events we planned for this year. There are a verysmall number of automotive collections that can compare to the Nethercutt, and it wasespecially interesting to the ladies who enjoyed the many interesting things to see in theNethercutt Collection. Besides the amazing collection of vintage automobiles, which is themain focal point of the collection, there is beautiful 18th and 19th century French furniturewhich you are allowed to sit on, hundreds of antique handmade ceramic figures, a massivesilver centerpiece artwork worth six figures, over 1,000 antique hood ornaments, an extensiveassortment of automated mechanical musical instruments, Nickelodeons, a Wurlitzer TheaterPipe Organ, the only 91 key piano ever made, and a beautifully recreated Louise XV diningroom that is still being used. This is a collection that many said we must visit again.

By ,Fern Mora

Our Visit to The Nethercutt Collection

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About the Nethercutt:The Nethercutt Collection features rare collectibles ranging from mechanical musicalinstruments and antique furniture to the true heart of the collection: over 250 American andEuropean automobiles dating from 1898 to 1997.

Founder J.B. Nethercutt spent a lifetime establishing this collection of historic importance.Unique to automobile museums, each car on display is attentively serviced and maintainedto remain just as drivable as when the vehicle originally rolled off the showroom floor. Onview are various Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance winners and cars once owned bymovie stars, royalty and other notable personalities.

The entire collection is housed in two beautifully appointed exhibit buildings located justnorth of Los Angeles. Housed in the museum is the Nethercutt Automotive ResearchLibrary and Archives, one of the world’s top automotive research facilities. Just stepsoutside the museum is a splendidly restored steam locomotive with a private railcar.

Opened in 1971, The Nethercutt Collection is a not-for-profit educational institution and aresource for automobile enthusiasts, historians, students and scholars. It is open to thepublic and admission is free!

J.B. Nethercutt 1913-2004Dorothy Nethercutt 1914-2004

Born in South Bend, IN, on October 11, 1913, J.B. moved to SantaMonica, CA, in 1923 to live with his aunt and founder of Merle NormanCosmetics, Merle Nethercutt Norman. He later left his studies at theCalifornia Institute of Technology to go into business with his aunt. OnSeptember 3, 1933, J.B. married his high school sweetheart, DorothySykes. The marriage lasted more than 70 years until Dorothy’s deathon October 8, 2004. It was during their early years together that J.B.and Dorothy began their love affair with old cars.

The Nethercutt CollectionHistory

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The Nethercutt CollectionGrand Salon of the Thirties

Marble columns, crystal chandeliers, painted ceilings all make up this beautiful Grand Salon Showroom of the 1910's, 20 and 30s. On display are approximately 30 of the finest automobiles of that era including Duisenbergs, Cadillacs, Isotta-Fraschini, Delahaye, Minvera, Renault, Maybach, many other European and American built automobiles.

1932 Maybach

1923 McFarlan

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The Nethercutt CollectionIn 1956, J.B. purchased two cars: a 1936Duesenberg Convertible Roadster for $5,000 anda 1930 DuPont Town Car for $500, both needingtotal refurbishing. The DuPont restoration, whichJ.B. estimated would take a few weeks, insteadtook 18 months and over $65,000. By 1958, hismeticulously rebuilt project claimed its first prize— the coveted “Best of Show” award at theprestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.By the summer of 1992, his cars had won thePebble Beach Concours d’Elegance six times,more than any other individual. The Duesenbergand the DuPont are still part of The NethercuttCollection.

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The Nethercutt Collection

Wasting no time while marveling at all theshiny automobiles in the Grand Salon GaryCorcoran and Hal Compton stopped just for amoment to pose for this picture in front of this1930 Ruxton. You may not have ever heardor even seen this car which is not surprisingsince very few were ever built. As the tourguide explained to us during our two-hourtour, “There were over 4,000 US makes ofautomobiles manufactured between 1900and 1930”.

A list of defunct automobile manufacturers of the United States can be found in Wikipedia.Many were discontinued for various reasons, such as bankruptcy of the parent company,mergers, or being phased out for lack of sales. The Nethercutt collection is a fine assortmentof some of these rare automobiles. We were amazed at how many have been restored intheir formal grandeur by the 15 technicians who lovingly work there to bring theseautomobiles back to life in their original condition. All the restorations are performed on sitewith the exceptions of chrome plating and headlight lens or glass work. Each car color isresearched and then repainted as they once were during their glory days.

Needless to say, the assortment of colors used during this golden era were amazinglyvibrant.

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The Nethercutt CollectionOn the mezzanine there are many interesting items to see that the ladies thoroughly enjoyed.

Vintage Ceramic worth over $7,000

Over 1,000 vintage radiator hood ornaments “mascots”

Paula & Bev

Left: Paillard station music box. Placed in railway stations to entertain passengers.

18 Century Louise XV roller desk

Nickelodeon

Victor record player still working 7

The Nethercutt Collection

This one of a kind sterling silver centerpiece was cast in one mold and is priceless

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The Nethercutt Collection

Recreated Dining Room

Part of the collection is this 18th Centurymassive dining table and 14 arm chairs set in arecreated French dining room. There is aninteresting feature of the arm chairs. They onlyhave one armrest on the right side. In the 18thCentury, military men wore swords thus therewas room left to allow them to sit comfortablywithout having to removing them.

Above is a grand antique crystal chandelier ofthe same era that originally held candles buthas now been converted to contain bulbs. Ateach end of the dining room are large mirrorsthat reflect an infinity view of the chandelier.Surprisingly, this room is still being used by theNethercutt’s board members.

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The Nethercutt CollectionAll throughout our stay inside the Music Room, we were treated to demonstrations of the many European orchestrions, including the largest with 26 mechanically played instruments, the Hupfeld Excelsior-Pan Orchester. The most spectacular demonstration was given at the end of our tour when everyone was done looking at all of the antiques. The tour guide then assembled everybody in the center of the room to demonstrate the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. The Wurlitzer’s side window curtains rise as the organ begin playing and exposing many of it’s 5,000 pipes. We were then serenaded with a medley of songs from Broadway. The song highlight was The Phantom of the Opera’s “All I Ask Of You”, which happens to be many member’s favorite song of all time.

Multiple Violins Orcrestrion playing a Concerto

The tour guide shared with us some funfacts about the Mighty Wurlitzer TheaterPipe Organ built in 1918. These could befound in great theaters and movie palacesaround the world. Containing plenty ofsound effects, these were used for silentmovies.

Hupfeld Excelsior-Pan orchester

Some of the Wurlitzer’s Pipes

Wurlitzer 5,000 pipe organ built in 1925 Lumberg, Germany

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The Nethercutt CollectionFollowing our two-hour tour of the main building we ventured across the street to the newest building that houses a collection of over 100 vintage cars. Many of which have been exhibited in Concours d’Elegancecompetitions. Here is just a small example of the cars on display.

1931 Bugatti 1930 Rolls Royce

1926 Minerva 1933 Cadillac

1921 Owen MagneticRudolph Valentino’s 1924 Isotta-Fraschini

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The Nethercutt Collection

Looking inside the private car custom built byPullman in Chicago, Illinois. It was built for ClaraBaldwin Stocker the eldest Daughter of localPioneer “Lucky” Baldwin. This railcar has beenbeautifully restored back to its 1912 glory days.

1937 Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson Locomotive #2839was built by Montreal Locomotive Works and is resplendentin its Royal maroon, gold leaf, gloss black and brushedstainless steel livery, and is a testament to the grand era ofsteam locomotive engineering. The Hudson type is a 4-6-4wheel arrangement and was a high-speed passengerlocomotive with a top speed of 90 mph.

The adventure was not yet over. As we left the newest building and out the backdoor we saw this very robust looking locomotive on display with its powerful coalburning engine of a bygone era. Attached was a special built Pullman car. Thecraftsmanship of the Pullman car is amazing with an array of fine woods and handmade gold-plated chandeliers. Traveling in luxury was the norm on this train whichincluded a personal chief and servant’s quarters.

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Our LuncheonAfter spending a few hours feasting our eyes on beautiful cars and unique collectibles, we were ready for our luncheon. Several of us left the Nethercutt and met at Jame'sRestaurant in San Fernando just 10 minutes away from the Nethercutt for a long awaited meal. Jame’s is a hangout for many car enthusiasts including many local muscle cars. The restaurant has been there since 1953. They serve comfort food dishes in truck stop portions. After a large lunch we were ready to struggle through the LA traffic and work our way home.

Thickest ham & eggs dish I have ever seen

Pancakes fill the plate13

Another Arizona 8’s EventOur fellow brothers in the southwest, the AZ8’s, held their first Wrenchfestat Brian Diefenbacher’s home in February. Here are the pictures of theirWrenchfest. It looks like they accomplished a lot together,

We had a great time and worked on several cars including 3 850’s and 4 840’s. Wecleaned fuel injectors on 7 cars, replaced fuel filters, converted 2 cars to single batteryoperation as well as many other small projects. The guys even survived my mesquiteBBQ!

If anyone has suggestions for our next group gathering let Brian know. Summer is coming;we need to drive to cooler places!

For those of you who are not members, consider joining the BMWCCA. There is our localAZ Roadrunner Chapter and even an e31 specific chapter.

Brian Wrote:AZ 8’s,

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Upcoming EventsJune 3, 2018Huntington Beach Concours

Come join us on Sunday, June 3rd at Huntington Beach Central Park in Huntington Beach for the Huntington Beach Concours d’ Elegance 2018. This is the 33rd year for the event and there will be special recognition of BMW. The park is a very relaxing spot for a Concours with plenty of trees, grass and shade. There are a number of food vendors serving a variety of a great picnic BBQ and sandwich menus. You can register using the link below. Entries wishing to be judged MUST be received by Wednesday, May 30th. Information about a gathering place for SoCalEights will be sent to you a few days before the event. We’ll gather together and roll in our usual impressive line of E31’s!

Register at: http://www.hbconcours.org/

June 23, 2018Doheny Mansion Tour Los AngelesWe will be touring this exceptional mansion on Saturday June 23rd. Keep an eye out for the registration flyer from Tom Jacobsmeyer. We will be gathering after the event for lunch\ at Panini Kabob Grill in downtown LA.

August 4, 2018SoCalEights WrenchfestOur second Wrenchfest of the year at EF1 Motorsports, 2760 Dawson Ave. Signal Hill, CA

Special Note:

Our website www.socaleights.com is up but not yet completed so bear with us. However, there are Newsletters and Car of the Month articles that you may enjoy reading or downloading. Thank you for you patience while we are under construction.

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