April 3, 2009

Bulgari Collection Brings Automotive Elegance of a Bygone Era to America On Wheels

Allentown, PA - The automotive elegance of a bygone era rolls into the America On Wheels (AOW) museum of over-the-road transportation this month with almost a dozen antique classics that reflect the class and passion of Italian jewelry designer Nicola Bulgari.

From a 1931 Buick Model 91 Club Sedan to a 1940 Buick Super Model 59 Estate Wagon that starred in movies with James Cagney and Bette Davis, "The Bulgari Collection, Automobiles of Elegance" offers classic car enthusiasts and other visitors a glimpse at an era when cars were big, powerful and majestic. "The Bulgari Collection, Automobiles of Elegance," debuts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 11.

"We are thrilled and honored to be able to offer this wonderful exhibit to our visitors. It offers a unique opportunity to see the golden era of automobile transportation, when cars were becoming more and more a part of the American way of life," said AOW Executive Director Linda Merkel.

"What a wonderful way to kick off our second year," Merkel continued, noting that AOW will celebrate its first anniversary on Saturday, April 18 in a birthday celebration that features a variety of unique events and activities.

Bulgari, scion of the Italian jewelry empire and a lifelong American automobile enthusiast, said his love affair with General Motors' vehicles began in his childhood in postwar Rome. The Buicks, Packards and Cadillacs then owned by the rich elite made a powerful impression on the young man and triggered a lifelong passion for American cars.

"My collection of American cars, which includes the 1938 Buick 90L Vatican escort car for Pope Pius XI and two Cadillac limousines used by Cardinals, symbolizes my passion for preserving history and for sharing, values instilled in me by my wonderful parents," Bulgari wrote in a 2008 anniversary note to General Motors. "Nothing gives me more pleasure than sharing my cars, whether it be at a museum, concours or my collection, to reunite Americans with the proud heritage of General Motors and the American automobile industry."

Today his large collection is permanently housed in garages in the United States and Rome. The exhibit, part of the Changing Gallery that recently hosted the "Legends of Speed" and "Muscle Cars" before that, includes:

1932 Buick Model 91 Club Sedan
Inline straight eight cylinder engine, three speed manual transmission. This car is in original/ unrestored condition. It is the largest series in the line for 1932. Featured only this year, the ride regulator system controlled the valving at each shock absorber, allowing the driver to adjust the ride quality. This car sold new for $1,820.

1932 Cadillac 370B Imperial 7 Passenger Limousine
370 cubic inch V-12 cylinder engine, three speed manual transmission.Formerly from the Browning Estate (Browning Guns). This car is in original/ unrestored condition, with its hand-cranked division window and rear fold out jump seats intact. Selling new for $3,995, the V-12 Imperial was strictly for the discriminating buyer. The Fisher-bodied Imperial Sedan transported its passengers in regal style. The car was designed to be either owner-driven or chauffeur-driven. As was the standard for the era, the front seat chauffeur's compartment was upholstered in black leather with the rear seat done in a fine wool material.

1931 Chrysler CG Imperial Dual Cowl Phaeton
Coachwork by Lebaron
Straight eight engine with 384 cubic inches, four speed manual transmission with ultra low first gear This is car #77of 85 built, with only 6 original cars surviving today. This Dual Cowl Phaeton body by LeBaron was of the semi-custom line. With technical advances including hydraulic brakes, hydraulic shocks, and four speed transmission, the '31 CG Imperial offered a level of advance design and luxury never before associated with Chrysler. A truly timeless, elegant Classic.

1936 Hudson Series 65 Custom 8 Convertible
L-head Inline straight eight cylinder engine, three speed manual transmission, 120 inch wheelbase This car is a fine example of a super Art Deco design with center mounted dash cluster, disappearing wing window assemblies, electric shifter on column, and very low windshield line. The standard equipment found only on the Custom Eight series includes the large wheel covers, a banjo style steering wheel, a radio with under-the-running-board antenna, and a cigar lighter. This Convertible Coupe also sports various optional equipment including fender mounted parking lights, an electric clock and the "Electric Hand" vacuum-electric transmission control system. This is one of only six known survivors.

1939 Packard Super 8 Convertible
Inline eight cylinder engine rated at 130 hp, three speed manual transmission. This car has been completely restored to factory specifications. The Super 8 series was the mid-range Packard with the V-12 being the Senior and the 110 and 120's being the Juniors. This two door, four-passenger configuration has two "opera" seats in the rear. New this year was the column shift called "Handishift". It sold new for $1,878. 3,962 cars were produced this year.

1935 Packard Model 1207 V-12 Coupe
V-12 engine, three speed manual transmission. This car is in original/unrestored condition. Bought new by Ann Klein family of New Holland Farm Equipment fame. Ann learned to drive in this car when she was 18 years old. 1940 Buick Super Model 59 Estate Wagon Inline straight eight engine, three speed manual transmission. This particular car was one of only 495 Estate Wagons built by the Biehl Body Company of Reading, PA. It eventually found its way to the Warner Brother's Studio in Hollywood. It appeared in such films as "George Washington Slept Here," "White Heat," and "Now Voyager." When the studio was finished with the car, it was reportedly given to film star Bette Davis, and has been linked to her ownership ever since.

1936 Chrysler Airflow C-9 Sedan
A 323 cubic inch inline straight eight engine, three-speed manual transmission, 123-inch wheel base. This car is all original except for the interior. This radically-styled and technologically advance Chrysler sold new for $1,345.00. Only 1590 C-9s were built of the 71,295 Chryslers produced this year.

1934 LaSalle Series 50, Model 350 Aero Coupe
240 cubic inch straight eight engine, three speed transmission. This car is completely original. Harley Earl designed this aerodynamic themed, one year only bi-plane bumper car, which was a major hint of the direction General Motors would take at the end of the 1930's. All 7,218 LaSalles were hand-built in the Fleetwood Body Factory in Fleetwood, PA. With the entire LaSalle line selling for under $2,000 for the first time, the coupe sold new for $1,595.00, a reflection of the effects of the Depression.

1941 Buick Roadmaster Model 71C 4-Door Convertible Sedan
Inline straight eight engine, three speed manual transmission. This car is completely restored. Roadmaster was the top-of-the-line Buick and there were only 312 of these models produced. Notable features include its leather appointed interior, roof mounted antenna, and valve in-head engine with compound carburetion. This car is a rare example of Buick's commitment to design elegance and performance.

1935 Nash Ambassador 8 Sedan
260 cubic inch straight eight overhead valve engine, three speed manual transmission. This car is completely restored. The all new "Aeroform" design bodies featured all-steel construction. "Flying Power" was the new name for the twin ignition system and lightweight engine parts derived from airplane manufacturing. This car's has "Automatic Cruising Gear", known today as overdrive. The Ambassador 8 Sedan was the highest priced car in the Nash line, selling new for $1,290.00.

For More Information:
Linda Merkel - Executive Director
America On Wheels Museum
5 N. Front St. Allentown, PA
(610) 432-4200
director@americaonwheels.org
www.americaonwheels.org