| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Classic Automobile Sales and Restoration |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Headquarters | La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA |
| Key people | Richard Blomquist |
| Products | Classic Automobiles |
| Website | www.whiteglovecollection.com |
The White Glove Collection is a La Crosse, Wisconsin car restoration shop and museum. It was founded in 1952 by Robert (Bob) Blomquist. The Collection is now owned and maintained by Richard Blomquist, Robert's son.
White Glove Collection is located on the south side of La Crosse, Wisconsin and maintains two facilities. One location focuses on drive train and other mechanical work, while the other is equipped to handle paint, detailing, upholstery, and exterior accessories such as lights, trippe lights, and wheels. The restoration shop is not open to the public but is only used to maintain Richard's private collection. The mechanical repair shop does service the public's modern vehicles as well as Richard's private collection. Some of the employees have been with White Glove for up to 29 years. White Glove Collection exclusively collects and deals in Depression Era vehicles from 1920 to 1940.
Richard and Deniese travel throughout the United States to all of the major automobile shows and acquire vehicles from all over the World that are a significant milestones in automobile engineering and design. They have acquired vehicles with particular provenance such as: The Top Hat Pierce (See description below), The 1919 Brewster Knight owned by the P. Lorillard Family, of Old Gold Cigarette fame, the 1941 Rollson Brewster Town Car - Custom built for the Folgers’s Coffee Family and pictured in front of their mansion, the 1936 K Lincoln Brunn Body Custom Semi Collapsible Town Car - Owned by Richard Ringling of Ringling Brother's Circus, the 1931 Pierce Arrow Custom Built 7 Passenger Limo built for the auto show in 1931 and shown at the Waldorf Astoria, the 1941 Lincoln Continental V-12 Coupe sold to Mr. JC Penney by Mr. Edsel Ford himself, the 1937 Cadillac used in the television series "The Munsters" and driven by Fred Guinn in Herman Munster's midnight ride, the 1932 Pierce Arrow Club Sedan used in the movie "City Heat" starring Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood, and the 1935 Studebaker "Entombed Studebaker" that was preserved by being entombed in an underground garage for over 50 years. They have also purchased and owned a host of other collector vehicles such as the 1930 Hupmobile Bonneville Boat Tail Speedster that timed in at 146 mph on the Bonneville. There was only one of these vehicles made and it is currently being restored by White Glove Collection.
Richard Blomquist rebuilds and restores trippe driving lights, side mount mirrors, door handles, Lalique adapters holding Lalique hood ornaments that he sells throughout the world. Richard's trippe lights and mirrors have appeared on many Pebble Beach restorations. These items can be seen at www.whiteglovecollection.com
The collection currently features the famed 1929 Pierce-Arrow "Top Hat" designed by LaBaron, the custom coach builder.
In 1929 George Fisher Baker commissioned the construction of a one-of-a-kind Pierce-Arrow town car, built by LeBaron, for the wedding of his daughter. The cars uniquely high roof line (5" taller than standard models) was specifically requested by Mr. Baker who wished to wear his top hat while riding. At the time this car was finished, Mr. Baker was one of the 10 richest men in the United States and easily one of the wealthiest individuals in history up to that time.
The vehicle, having been owned by such a prominent figure in American history, has significant historical value. The car was rediscovered in 1978 in a barn in Ohio alongside a Rolls Royce Boat Tail Speedster formerly owned by Fred Astaire.
The unique features of the car reflect the affluence of its former owner. Trim lining the rear compartment of the car is made of 24 carat gold, as are the perfume dispensers and intercom.