Bowlus Road Chief

BARCELONA CHAIR

BRC — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:29:06 +0000

We couldn’t miss the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion on our whirl-wind weekend to Barcelona. Noted as one of the architect’s most outstanding works, it was built for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition and dismantled at the end of the event in 1930. The building is viewed as a seminal example of modern architecture on par with Walter Gropius’ Bauhaus (which we blogged about recently) and Le Crobusier’s Villa Savoye.

Fascinatingly, it was reconstructed almost 50 years later at the exact location. Mies wanted the building to be “an ideal zone of tranquility” that invited the visitor on a directional path involving exotic materials like golden onyx. The results is a fresh, disciplined understanding of space as exciting today as no doubt it was in 1929. The space is bare with the exception of a single sculpture by George Kolbe and the purpose-designed furniture known as the Barcelona Chair. This iconic chair designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, who he collaborated with for over ten years originally appeared in ivory-colored pigskin and is today available by Knoll in black cowhide. Stunning in its simplicity the Barcelona Chair and the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion is a must see. Visit @ http://www.miesbcn.com/en/outside.html.

TRAIL ALONG TO PISMO

BRC — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:01:50 +0000

There’s more than a few sad faces at Bowlus Road Chief this week. We’re bummed we’re missing the Vintage Trailer Camp that takes place annually at the Pismo Beach Village RV Resort but grateful for all the interest in the new Bowlus Road Chief. This fabulous sold out affair – now in its 6th edition – will see over 300 vintage trailers this weekend with an open house that takes place on Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. If you can make the drive it is an outstanding event.

We were delighted to receive this photograph from Nevena Christi, a fellow Bowlus Road Chief owner. Looks like her and her adorable family experienced a close call in the Arizona desert on their way to the coast. Catch up with the wonderful folks who put on this event @ http://www.vintagetrailercamp.com/index.php

FINE LIVING IN VENTURA COUNTRY

BRC — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:11:47 +0000

“Who Do You Think You are – Clark Gable?”

BRC — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:08:04 +0000

Maybe it was a recent lunch with our dear friend Barbara that made us think of her and her beloved Alan (who was a gunner in the second world war) that got us thinking about those fabulous rare couples that make love the great thing that it is.

Certainly on that list would be Clark Gable and Carol Lombard. He with his devil’s grin and broad shoulders and her so striking, blond and fiery-eyed. Although they shared a short time together she adored him so much that she’d happily slip out of one of her favorite low cut silk dresses to follow him around for hours in the rain duck hunting. They favored a low key life living simply with their dogs, horses, and chickens, giving occasional small dinner parties for friends.

Our Bowlus Road Chief memorabilia notes that Clark Gable and Carol Lombard ordered a Road Chief but unfortunately never took delivery. Wouldn’t it have been swell to have bumped into them on the road.

TO MY BOWLUS ROAD CHIEF

BRC — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:18:12 +0000

By S. W. Sensiba

Fervent wish was mine to see
Springtime bloom of desert sand,
Viewing all of Nature’s lore
In her glorious wonderland.

Highways lure to peaks of snow,
Rugged pines, and trouting streams,
And the roar of breaking wave
Stencils out another dream.

Now I have a graceful tube
Wrought of steel and light dural
Groomed to pierce resistant air
With an ease no words can tell.

Comfort makes a happy home
As we travel here and there.
Pull the gang plank, wave adieu!
Road Chief, “Bowl-us” anywhere!

Published in a 1935 Bolwus Road Chief brochure. Dr. S. W. Sensiba was a Bowlus Road Chief owner.