A new year and some new models from Autocult

It's great to see Autocult come right out of the 2025 gate with their usual flair and finesse with these beauties. Owner Thomas Roschmann shared with me recently that they've been struggling with some supply chain issues leading up to the Chinese New Year and that the first quarter might be a little uneven with releases. To that end, they will not be announcing an Avenue43 release for January.

1955 BMW 505 Pullman Ghia Aigle

It was Chancellor Konrad Adenauer who got caught up in the intrigue between two German companies BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the 1950s. The Swabian factory provide the first Chancellor of the Republic with the Type 300, a feudal representative car, but BMW wanted to conquer this place.

In Munich, the chassis of the model 502 was modified and its wheelbase was extended to over 3 meters. The reason for this intervention was in the interior, as it was fitted with a massive partition wall between the front seats and the rear area. The built-in window could be lowered electro-hydraulically and with the window closed, the communication between driver and rear passenger was possible via an intercom system. It was clear from the beginning that the focus was on rear area interior, due to the simple fact that Konrad Adenauer had to be convinced to substitute his Mercedes-Benz for a BMW.

The verdict against the Munich car was already made after the second test drive. At the same time, this meant the rigorous end of an official stat car from Munich. While the lobbying of the Swabians put an end to the BMW, the Bavarian was considered quite successful for its new genre from an objective point of view. Inside the BMW it was quieter than inside the Mercedes. The power transmission of the 3.2-liter V8-engine with 120 hp was more harmonious compared to the 6-cylinder engine of Mercedes. To reduce weight, the bonnet and boot lid were made of aluminum, the steel body was designed in Munich, but BMW commissioned the Ghia Aigle-plant in Lugano, Switzerland, to produce it.

1930 Pickwick NiteCoach

In the 1920s, intercity transport began to develop in the United States in such a way that transport buses, in which passengers could sleep in a bed-like device during the journey, gained a lot of popularity. Under the term “cabin” the night buses became known in US jargon.

One of these regular trips led, for example, from Los Angeles to San Francisco or to San Diego. From 1923 onwards, this regular shuttle service took place and from the mid-1920s onwards, the offer was supplemented by other destinations.

With the start of the service in 1923, the ‘Pickwick Motor Coach Works ltd.’ was founded in Los Angeles. It was not until 1928 that the first overnight bus was completed, powered by a 6-cylinder Sterling engine with over 110 hp. In the bus, the highest possible level of comfort was presented at the time. 

In addition to the idea of hospitality, sleep should not be neglected. There were a total of 13 ‘compartments’, each of which offered space for two people – or 26 passengers. The folded down seats served as a place to sleep at night. The concept continued to be very well received and two years later the company launched an enlarged version, as a double-decker bus with capacity for a total of 53 passengers.

How large, or perhaps rather how small, the demand for the sleeper buses was overall at that time was shown by the number of vehicles launched. According to current knowledge, experts assume only four duplex buses were made, but some also speak of five.