1926 Bugatti type 23, body of impregnated cloth by coachbuilder Gaston Grummer, original unrestored condition, this was the inexpensive model

a private Pullman "palace" railcar, the century old social and economic equivalent of a private Gulfstream plane

except for the big glass case over the fine china, this private Pullman passenger car has been restored to the condition it was in before its delivery to Clara Baldwin Stocker, the woman who ordered it built and took it's delivery 99 years ago, in Dec 1912
the first few photos here aren't as luxurious as the last, and I'm guessing these were the butlers quarters



Note that the above and below photos in this sequence are two views of the same room, from different ends, and the dresser is the common point







gorgeous lighting fixtures and ceiling

the above isn't known to be, but thought to be the piano from this car, it was located 50 miles from the car when it was purchased by the musuem for restoration

this locomotive had no historical association with the Pullman car, but makes a fantastic display
330 ton, 1937 Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson high speed (90 mph) steam locomotive http://www.nethercuttcollection.org/EndPage.aspx?page=train




Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago was founded in 1867 to build luxury sleeping cars for the railroads, their success dramatically changed rail travel worldwide. The luxuries of a private Pullman included chandeliers, electric lighting, advanced heating and air-conditioning systems, complete bath facilities, silk draperies, luxury bedding and elegant furniture.

In December of 1912, Clara Baldwin Stocker, eldest daughter of California pioneer E.J. "Lucky" Baldwin, took delivery of a Pullman railcar appropriately named the California. Lucky Baldwin's fortune came from mining shares, real estate, race horses, hotels and the world renowned Santa Anita Race Track. Clara and Anita inherited his fortune and both commissioned private railcars. Clara's car was beautifully decorated in a modern style with cream and gold painted staterooms, rather than the usual dark wood grained walls and ceilings. The railcar must have been an imposing and awe inspiring sight, resplendent in maroon, red, gold leaf striping and lettering with polished brass railings and grab handles.

The California, as ordered by Mrs. C.B. Stocker, had a floor plan that was very versatile, spacious and comfortable. It has one double large bedroom and two smaller staterooms for two. The large combination dining and observation room was paneled in elegant Cuban Mahogany and the private rooms were painted in cream and gold. The servant's section, including the passageway, was quarter-sawed native oak, which was dramatically different from the beautiful mahogany used in the family section. Beautiful decorative leaded glass adorned every window in the California, except in the servant's quarters. Information from http://everything2.com/user/cami/writeups/Pullman+Railcar+%2523100+California


for a much better gallery of the Pullman car, look at the photos Justacargal took: http://justacargal-s.blogspot.com/2011/03/nethercutt-museum-train.html

Unusual, rare, and restored cars from the 1920's and 30's at the Nethercutt musuem

I hope you've been looking at my blog long enough to recognize these headlights as my favorite, they are the Woodlight type http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/search/label/woodlight%20headlights , and only came on two cars I know of, the DuPont occasionally, and this 1930 Ruxton in its factory paint, stripes of reds. Three other cars have had woodlights, a Stutz, Cord, and an Auburn but I suspect they were added by the owners. Most unusual for factory paint, but it was the midst of the great depression, and this was a luxury car that needed potential buyers attention. ( just like the glam rockers of the 70's and 80's and the big hair and makeup )

The above is movie star Fatty Arbuckle's 1923 McFarlan model 154 knickerbocker cabriolet

The above yellow is a 1934 Packard

Above and below, 1932 Mayback DS 8 / convertible cabriolet

the above is a 1925 Locomobile 48/ Victoria sedan

the above is a Toledo tiller steered, ever notice that a kids little red wagon has a handle that flips up or down, and is a very small example of a horse drawn wagon? Transpose that thought to the tiller steered early horse-less carriages and the way they had tiller steering that resembles a flipped up wagon tongue

On the left is the blue with a hood that looks like the Renault of the same era, but the Franklin was American and this example is a 1912 model G

This green with white baloon treadless tires is a 1906 Franklin, and particularly striking is the barrel shaped hood. The round hood was replaced by the slope hood like the 1912 Franklin above this

Beautiful brass accentuation pieces adorning this green and black Franklin

1910 Pierce Arrow 7 passenger touring

1912 White model GF

and the Lalique crystal hood ornament collection.