General Motors Futurliner Parade of Progress Spotted in Canoga Park

[Update February 5, 2013]: This vehicle was available for sale on Craigslist for $400,000.

[Original Post]:

Image courtesy El Rastreador de Noticias

Image courtesy Palm Springs Automobilist

Image courtesy Palm Springs Automobilist

Image courtesy Silodrome

Today, I am going to talk about the General Motors Futurliner Parade of Progress which has nothing to do with San Fernando Valley history. However, this vehicle is an extremely rare piece of automotive history that happens to currently reside in the San Fernando Valley. Canoga Park to be exact. Here is some background info. 

From Wikipedia:

The GM Futurliners were a group of stylized buses designed in the 1940s by Harley Earl for General Motors. They were used in GM's Parade of Progress, which traveled the United States exhibiting new cars and technology. The Futurliners were used from 1940 to 1941 and again from 1953 to 1956. A total of 12 were built, and 9 were still known to exist as of 2007.

Of those remaining 9 (from Wikipedia):

Futurliner #11 sold for a record US$4,000,000 (plus premium) on Jan 21, 2006 at a Barrett-Jackson auction in Arizona. Too large to ship, it was driven to its new home in Chandler.

Futurliner #10 is believed to be the most accurately restored of the Futurliners.

As of summer 2008 Futurliner #8 was delivered to its new Swedish owner Nicklas Jonsson who plans to restore it over a 10-year period. It's the first and only Futurliner in Europe.

Of the other six known surviving Futurliners, one is used as a motorhome (this is in Canoga Park) and two in advertising. One is in Maine and is currently being restored. It is owned by Tom Learned and is powered by a GM V-8 with an Allison automatic transmission. The others are generally beyond restorable condition.

According to the Futurliner website, #9 (images shown below) is owned and restored by Bob Valdez currently sitting in Canoga Park. This Futurliner was converted into a motorhome and was possibly featured (dont quote me on this) in the movie Firepower (1993), a documentary titled Homes on the Road, The RV Story, and on HGTV, The Gallery - RV Restoration according to this site:

This is Futurliner #9. As of 2008 it was up for sale. You can call Bob Valdez for more information but don't call just to ask about the price unless you got over a million plus dollars in your pocket. Bob has owned Futurliner #9 since 1984 and has made extensive modifications to both the exterior and interior. It's a highway cruiser and he has a lot of fun with it over the years.

All images above courtesy Autoblog.com

Image courtesy Bangshift.com 

Lastly, an original last sold for $4.1 million dollars at a Barret -Jackson auction in 2006 back when the economy was rosy and the sky was the limit. 

Today, the #9 Futurliner sits in a Canoga Park Motorhome RV park exposed to the elements, all alone, with very little use. But available for the right buyer near a $1 million. There are only a handful of these Futurliners in existence in the world and pridefully, one remains in the SFV's backyard thanks to Bob Valdez. 

Sources:

Wall Street Journal on Barret-Jackson Auction

#9 Futurliner Classifed Ad Page with many pics

Futurliner Website, packed with tons of information

Futurliner History page

Van Nuys Boomers Blog with pic of un-restored Futurliner in Van Nuys

Squob.com, good pics

Palm Springs Automobilist, good pics and history

Southern California Cadillac LaSalle Club, good pics on #9 Futurliner

Silodrome.com, good pics

Wikipedia - Futurliner

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Celebrity Real Estate: Justin Bieber Makes Offer on Former Nicole Murphy Mansion in Calabasas

[Update May 28, 2012]: The property records show that this property was purchased by Justin Bieber for $6.5 million on April 6, 2012 which could imply that it was an all cash purchase as this transaction closed rather quickly and quietly. Earlier, I reported that the sale price was $6 million but was in fact $6.5 million which means that the sellers netted a gain of close to a million before expenses and taxes which is one heck of a gain after one with this terrible housing market.


[Update April 10, 2012]: According to TMZ, Justin Bieber has in fact purchased the former Nicole Murphy home in Calabasas for $6 million. It appears that at the time of this writing, the home is under escrow as TMZ states that Bieber will get the keys by the end of June. The previous owners purchased this home from Nicole Murphy for $5,515,000 on April 28, 2011. Based on Justin Bieber's purchase price, the previous owners will be earning a $485,000 profit before taxes, commissions, fees, etc. Not bad for one year. 

[Original Post]:

Images courtesy Hurwitz James Company

Hot off the presses from the always hilarious Your Mama at The Realestalker comes word of Justin Bieber's offer of a Calabasas mansion formerly owned by Nicole Murphy. 

TMZ is reporting that the offer has not been accepted as the seller wanted $7 million and Bieber was only offering $1.5 million less. Sounds like this might fall through. I wont waste your time on this until it becomes official. You can view the property here.

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The Kardashians Fake Home in Studio City is Available Again

11947 Iredell Street

Currently available for $6,495,000, this Studio City home has 7 Beds/8 Baths on 7,043 sqft. It is the fake home of the Kardashians/Jenners for the E! reality TV show which is only used to film the front facade to appear as the real home of the Kardashians/Jenner in Hidden Hills.  

According to the listing:

This one-of-a-kind elegance estate is ideal for the Italian Renaissance art lover. Inspired by the Medici castle in Florence, Palazzo di Sono, offers a perfect blend of modern features and craftsmanship unlike any other home in Fryman Estates. Enter through the large iron gates and drive up the long driveway to find an 1800 year old fountain greets you as you enter the home. Set back far off the street, Palazzo di Sono sits atop a knoll boasting over 7,000 sq ft of living space with 7 bd, 8 ba, an HD/THX home theater with a 12' drop down screen, a 2,000 bottle wine cellar, complete outdoor Viking kitchen, fully private salt-water pool with waterfall and three outdoor loggias. Five Bedari 24K gold and crystal chandeliers, custom made silk window coverings, sconces from the Paris Opera House, and fresco ceilings are just a few features that truly make this home a masterpiece in itself. Too many details to mention, this home represents the utmost in elegance and sophistication! 

Also, according to a blog post by The Agency which holds this listing:

Palazzo di Sono, the grand Italian estate at 11947 Iredell in Fryman Canyon Estates, is accustomed to being in the spotlight. The elegant residence poised atop a private knoll in the exclusive Studio City neighborhood has appeared in episodes of HBO’s True Blood, and it is featured regularly on E!’s Keeping Up With the Kardashians as the home of the Jenners. Most recently, Palazzo di Sono garnered attention in the April 2012 issue of Ventura Blvd in an in-depth profile piece titled “Hidden Treasure.”

Noting the home’s stature as “a celebrity in its own right,” the article highlights Palazzo di Sono’s extensive renovation inspired by the Medici palace in Florence and its perfect blend of modern features, sophistication and craftsmanship.

The joy and love of art imbues every surface, every viewpoint and every furnishing: fine wood details, hand-painted ceilings by artist Giorgio Tuscani and hand-crafted moldings—all inspired by the Palazzo in Florence.

Below are images from Palazzo di Sono a.k.a. fake home of the Kardashians/Jenner (Images courtesy The Agency)

And in case you wondering, the real home of the Kardashians/Jenner in Hidden Hills is displayed below (Image courtesy Google Maps):

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Gerard Colcord Longridge Estate on the Market in Sherman Oaks for First Time in 43 Years

[Update May 16, 2012]: This home sold for $2.6 million which was $149,000 less than original asking price and was closed in roughly 2 months.

[Original Post]:
4006 Longridge Avenue

Currently in a pending status is a rare listing of a Longridge Estate home designed by Gerard Colcord in Sherman Oaks in 1939. This home is offered at $2,749,000.

According to the listing:

First time on the market in 43 years, is this wonderful 1939 Country French home designed by renowned architect Gerard Colcord. This special property is located in the prestigious Longridge Estates and boasts gated entry, liv. rm w/ frpl, frml din, eat-in-kit, 5 bed, 6 bth, den. Flat prk-like grnds, pl, and full guesthouse. Great opportunity to make this your own. 

There have been a number of mid century modern homes of architectural significance on the market recently. Its kinda odd. Dont know why owners are selling these rare properties all at the same time especially in the San Fernando Valley. Maybe its related to the fallout of the housing bubble. But you have the following: 

1. Waxman House in Studio City.
2. Goodwin House in Studio City.
3. Romick House in Encino.
4. Krisel House in Van Nuys. 
5. Eichler House in Granada Hills. 

Below are pics of the Colcord house. (Images Courtesy Coldwell Banker)

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Historical Valley Sites Making Headlines

Pierce College from Wikipedia; Rocketdyne from Wikipedia; Francis Lederer Home from CSUN Library; NoHo Train Depot from CRA/LA

In the past couple of weeks, the following news has been published regarding the San Fernando Valley's history. It seems ironic that all this "historical" news has come out lately. 

1. Our Intimiate Affair with Amelia Earhart in North Hollywood Park [NoHo-Toluca Lake Patch].....this isnt really news but was written by Craig Clough who does a wonderful job of covering history in his respective area. This is a reminder for all that the great Amelia Earhart made her living in the San Fernando Valley. A statue has been dedicated to her near the NoHo library. 
2. MTA's Long-Planned Restoration of Historic North Hollywood Train Depot Set to Begin [NoHo-Toluca Lake Patch].....also from Craig Clough. It looks like that ugly building next to the Orange Line dropoff for the Red Line at Lankershim may soon be restored to its glory days of the past when it was used for the Pacific Electric Red Car. Finally this is coming to fruition. Conicidentally or not, a new book about the Pacific Electric and the Growth of the San Fernando Valley was just published by Dave Coscia. 
3. San Fernando Valley Musuem Moves Into Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks [Daily News].....all the treasures and collections of the MSFV can now be viewed at the mall of all places. Almost seems fitting since most of us probably grew up in the mall. It was very nice for the Westfield company to give space to MSFV to open a museum. Hard to believe they are having a hard time finding a tenant and are willing to give up their space to the MSFV. Are they going to be able to fill up the 50 additional stores at the Village?
4. Yard House, Elephant Bar Coming to Northridge Fashion Center [Chatsworth Patch]....not significant historical news but new restaurants are coming. 
5. Lederers' Former Mansion Could Become Assisted Living Complex [Daily News].....the ranch home built by actor Francis Lederer could get a makeover. This is a historical site that is protected. 
6. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne in Canoga Park Up For Sale [Daily News].....this site is once again for sale which was previously owned by Boeing, Rockewll, and North American Aviation. Hard to believe this site once employed more than 25,000 engineers during the height of the cold war era. I read that someone but cannot remember. 
7. Debate Rages Over Uncertain Future of Pierce College Farm [Daily News]....another histocial site to be shut down????

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Celebrity Real Estate: Former Howie Mandel Hidden Hills Mansion Purchased by Foo Fighters' Taylor Hawkins

Images courtesy Big Time Listings blog

Hot off the presses from the always informative Lauren Beale at Los Angeles Times Hot Property comes word of Howie Mandel's former home in Hidden Hills was recently purchased by Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters for $2.7 million. 

Taylor Hawkins is best known at the drummer for the Foo Fighters. Prior to joining the band in 1997 he was touring with Alanis Morissette on her Jagged Little Pill and Can't Not tours. Speaking of the Foo Fighters, I recently discussed their Grammy winning studio in Northridge and Dave Grohl's residence in Encino where he has also recorded Grammy winners in his garage here.

According to the listing, this 8 Bed/6 Bath, 7,069 sqft home on 1.1acres built in 1965 states:

Amazing property located at the end of a private cul-de-sac in Hidden Hills. Stunning interior with dramatic staircase, high ceilings and hardwood flooring. Inviting warm living room with massive granite fireplace, large formal dining room and spacious open family room. Two master suites, his & her baths, fireplace and 5 secondary bedroom suites. Beautiful gourmet kitchen remodled with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, large center island and sunny breakfast area with french doors leading to the backyard. Property includes a 2 bedroom guest house with living room, fireplace and kitchenette. Grounds feature resort-style pebble-tech pool & spa with slide and waterfalls, large grassy play area, mature trees and views. Lower level has barn & horse facilities. This estate has it all!

This home was formerly owned by Deal or No Deal host, Howie Mandel. He purchased this home sometime in the late 1980s and sold in 2001 for $2,294,000 to a couple who just sold it to Taylor Hawkins. It was recently listed at $3,099,000 and has already come down to $2.7 million. This home has been listed off and on since 2007 (see below) and was discussed at the Big Times Listing blog back on April 2007 when it was first listed for $5,695,000. Wow! We have come a long way since then.

Taylor Hawkins and family previously lived in a modest (by celebrity standards) 4 Bed/3 Bath Topanga  home (image below) so their move is not that far. Its not known what will happen with the Topanga home. Their reason for moving is to live in a bigger home with the Hidden Hills double in everything compared to Topanga.

Image courtesy Google Maps

Hidden Hills is a hotbed for celebrities and executives which has been discussed many times on this blog. Notable celebrities include:

• Billy Blanks of Tae Bo fame who recently sold his mansion for $7.3 million. 
• Ron Tutor who previously leased to Britney Spears and is currently available for less than $10 million.
• Beau Bridges who is trying to sell for under $3 million.
• Tamar Braxton and Vincent Herbert who recently purchased for close to $7 million.
• Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne who are trying to sell for close to $13 million.

Also, the Kardashians/Jenner Clan, Howie Mandel, and Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony (not sure who remains after the divorce) call Hidden Hills home in addition to the many other celebrities hiding behind the big gates.

You can find more San Fernando Valley Celebrity Real Estate here.

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