about art, automobiles, interiors and more...

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Tom Mix, Ginger Rogers, Natalie Wood and Amelia Island Concours


Hollywood and cars go back to nineteen twenties. It was then cars like Duesenberg’s and Cadillac’s started becoming status symbols. In nineteen fifties starting with the Mercedes Benz 300SL, Mercedes also joined the ranks. Stars not only owned these cars, but these cars starred in the movies as well.

This year at the 17th Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance, some cars were very prominent with Hollywood connections. Twenties silent movie star Tom Mix’s 1937 Cord , Ginger Roger’s 1929 Model J Duesenberg, Rita Hayworth’s 1953 Cadillac Series 63 Ghia coupe and Natalie Wood’s 1957 Mercedes 300SL roadster.

Tom Mix's 1937 Cord
Tom Mix

Tom died in a car accident driving this Cord in 1940. The cars has changed hands a few times but recently has been restored ground up, by the current owner.  The new owner says “the cars is exactly in the same condition as it was 15 minutes before the accident”.

Tom Mix's 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton



Tom with his Cord

Ginger Rogers' 1929 Duesenberg Model J 

Ginger Rogers

White 1929 Duesenberg Model J convertible was once owned by Ginger Rogers. The car even appeared in Ginger Roger and Fred Astaire’s  movie“ The Gay Divorcee”.

Ginger Rogers' 1929 Duesenberg Model J


Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire and Duesenberg
on "The Gay Divorcee" set

Rita Hayworth's 1953 Cadillac Series 63 Ghia Coupe

Rita Hayworth

Also was there Rita Hayworth’s  1953 Cadillac Series 63 Ghia Coupe. Hayworth’s husband Prince Aly Khan commissioned the famous Italian coach builder Ghi to build this stunning body and mount on a Cadillac frame. 

Rita Hayworth 1953 Cadillac Series 63 Ghia coupe



Natalie Wood's 1957 Mercedes 300SL Roadster
Natalie Wood with her 230SL

 Natalie Wood’s Mercedes 300SL has been completely restored.  The car has been painted Silver with red leather interior (the original factory combination). This is a big change from the color combination the car was in when Natalie Wood drove it. After delivery she got the car painted Pink with lipstick red leather interior.


Natalie Wood 1957 Mercedes 300SL roadster


Credits: google, amelia island concours d' elegance, just a car guy etc

6 comments:

  1. Hello:
    We have been so intrigued with this post which makes the connection between these so very stylish motor cars and their previous 'celebrity' owners. Those were indeed the days when motor cars were built not only for performance but for looks as well.

    Periodically we enjoy seeing classic cars, dating from the 1920s and 1930s, but most of British manufacture, in Brighton which is frequently the end of a London to Brighton rally.

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh wow. i love these cars!!! these are art!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jane and Lance yes in those days the cars had a lot of looks too. A good amount of money was spent to get beautiful bodies made by famous coach builders of the time.

    It is so exciting to know that you get to witness the Brighton rally, I have seen some videos of that rally and it is a great rally no doubt.

    ReplyDelete
  4. akissfromthepast these cars were mostly hand made and no doubt works of art that those coach builders created.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello,

    The mercedes is my favorit for years!!!

    Beautiful Blogspot!!!
    Jérôme

    ReplyDelete