Chapter 30

10/16/2004 

Restoring History Bulgari-Style

Bulgari Jewels                                 

Nicola Bulgari

This is a story of passion.

 

As a volunteer for the Saratoga Auto Museum, http://www.saratogaautomuseum.com/ I along with 17 others had the opportunity for an overnight trip to Allentown and Hershey PA to the Antique Auto Club of America Museum http://www.aacamuseum.org/home.php and Precision Motor Cars facility. Our museum has a special relationship with these people so we received private behind the scenes tours hosted by  the curators of the museum and of Nicola Bulgari's private automobile collection.

 

I believe Bulgari http://www.bulgari.com/ (ultraslow w/ modem) is the largest custom jeweler in the world and ranks third in sales behind Cartier and Tiffany. Based in Italy since 1884 they now have 100 stores worldwide, a net worth of $1.5 Billion, have expanded into fragrances, accessories, and recently premier resorts in Bali and Milan (in pix). Their 195 Carat diamond necklace was worn by Nicole Kidman at the 04 Academies, ring worn in Mission Impossible, & necklace on model at Cannes Film. Our museum held some of Bulgari's cars this summer.

 

Keith Flickenger, 42 (in baseball cap) curator/restorer of Bulgari's auto collection, was our prime host, guide, & story teller. Love of cars, desire, dedication, & commitment led him down the path of janitorial and dirty worker at a restoration shop from teenager to owning a shop by 30. That's when by pot luck and referral he had the chance to restore the first '42 Woodie for Bulgari who has a home in Millbrook, NY in addition to his mansion/compound in Tuscany Italy. Keith was limo-ed to Bulgari's NY headquarters across from the Trump Towers on Park Avenue where he was invited to "talk about cars". Learned of Mr. B's passion for American cars (especially Buicks) and offered a job to maintain his cars. Keith agreed, not knowing there were mucho (now 130), with maybe half in Rome. No salary was discussed. After returning home, Keith's bank called saying they just received a wire transfer from Bulgari in the amount of $ 250,000. Needless to say, the self described uneducated hick from the sticks of PA was shocked. His facility was small and only had his brother working part time along with a few others on staff. Has expanded and continues to. He is now like a son to Mr. B. Shown in pix is Nicola at 2003 Pebble Beach Concours with Keith's resto of 1935 Buick 96S which took second place in class. http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?n=156,176&sid=176&article=6309 Rusted Chrysler in pix was bought for $300, only to be used for 3 chrome pieces for recent long desired Airflow model.

 

We followed Keith in his new Black Caddy CTS- V (corvette engine, chassis, 6speed) to the world class Hershey Hotel in pix http://www.hersheypa.com/accommodations/the_hotel_hershey/ where Mr. Bulgari had wanted to treat us to lunch ($1000, no problem). The stories flowed like wine- helicopter pickups, armed guards, whisking away in Mr. B's private 747 with 6 others (inc Bob Lutz Chair of GM) to Rome, meet with Jay Leno, cancel meeting Pope, $3 Million random payoff for kidnapped Bulgari brother, outbidding Jerry Seinfeld at auction, Pebble Beach Concours trophy, etc, etc.

 

Keith is a great guy, very personable and multi- tasker, 40 pages of receipts on desk due Italy for one job, files of 30 other cars Mr. B is on lookout for, continual phone in ear, to Colorado guy with 917 Porsche racecar restoration, Mr. B in Chicago for store re-opening coming down, flying to RM auction Elkhart IN http://www.rmauctions.com/ next day...Yet took day and half time with us peons, and agreed to more trips!  There is a bond and comradely amongst the auto set although with 2 divorces-easily understandable the personal family life can suffer.

 

Bulgari has a special relationship with Buick and Cadillac. All stores managers have Roadmasters and the Cadillac XLR features a Bulgari clock as does the concept Cien in pix. I think the solar car pictured, that I assembled and to be featured at our museum shortly, exudes that same sense of style. Although the Bulgari cars are gone, we have Carol Shelbys there now, including the $4 Million 1964 Cobra Daytona that won at Sebring. He may visit us, pending. [he did]