The Nethercutt Collection: Automotive Elegance Along Historic Route 6 in Sylmar, California
Tucked into the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley, the Nethercutt Collection stands as one of Southern California’s most dazzling cultural treasures. Just steps from historic San Fernando Road, a corridor tied to the original U.S. Route 6 alignment, this remarkable museum offers visitors an unforgettable journey into the golden age of motoring, music, and mechanical artistry.
The Nethercutt Collection is home to one of the world’s great automobile collections, an extraordinary array of automatic musical instruments, and its crown jewel, a 4-manual, 73-rank theatre pipe organ. We are deeply grateful to the Nethercutt-Richards family for their continued support and stewardship of this remarkable instrument.
From gleaming prewar luxury cars to the thunder of a historic steam locomotive, every corner of the museum tells a story of craftsmanship, innovation, and elegance.
A Museum Unlike Any Other
The Nethercutt complex consists of two major facilities:
The Museum (Self-Guided)
- Displays more than 130 classic automobiles.
- Features marques such as Duesenberg, Packard, Cadillac, Rolls-Royce, and Mercedes-Benz.
- Includes antique furniture, clocks, and decorative arts.
The Collection Building (Guided Tour)
- A multi-level grand salon resembling a 1930s luxury showroom.
- Houses rare automobiles, mechanical musical instruments, and ornate décor.
- Features live demonstrations of the theatre pipe organ during select tours.
This immersive setting transports visitors to a time when automobiles were handcrafted works of art and music filled grand halls through ingenious mechanical instruments.
A Legacy of Preservation
The museum began as the personal passion of cosmetics magnate J.B. Nethercutt. After purchasing and restoring his first antique cars in the 1950s, he quickly became one of the most celebrated collectors and restorers in the world. His restorations won top honors at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, helping to spark a national interest in classic car preservation.
In 1971, he opened the Nethercutt Collection to the public in Sylmar. Today, the museum continues under the stewardship of the Nethercutt-Richards family, preserving not only automobiles but also musical instruments, rail history, and decorative arts.
Notable Highlights
Some of the standout treasures include:
1933 Duesenberg Model SJ “Twenty Grand”
- A one-of-a-kind show car created for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.
- Widely considered one of the most beautiful American automobiles ever built.
Bugatti Type 51 Dubos Coupe
- A racing chassis transformed into an elegant custom-bodied coupe.
1937 Royal Hudson Steam Locomotive No. 2839
- One of only a few surviving examples.
- Restored to stunning display condition alongside historic railcars.
The 4-Manual, 73-Rank Theatre Pipe Organ
- The musical crown jewel of the collection.
- One of the most impressive theatre organs still in operation.
Visitor Information
Location:
15151–15158 Bledsoe Street
Sylmar, California (San Fernando Valley)
Nethercutt Collection Tours on Google Maps
Self-Guided Museum
- Open Thursday through Saturday
- Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
- Admission: $5
- Children under 12: Free
Guided Tour of the Collection Building
- Thursday and Friday: 10:00 am
- Saturday: 10:00 am and 1:30 pm
- Admission: $20 (includes museum entry)
- Advance reservation required
Notes
February is an excellent time to visit, with comfortable Southern California winter weather and smaller crowds. The museum occasionally hosts concerts, silent film screenings, and special musical programs. Visitors should check the official calendar when planning a January trip.
Historical Significance
The collection began as the personal passion of cosmetics magnate J.B. Nethercutt, who purchased and restored a pair of classic cars in the 1950s. His first restoration went on to win “Best of Show” at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, sparking a lifelong commitment to preservation.
Key milestones:
- 1956: Nethercutt buys his first antique automobiles.
- 1958: Wins Pebble Beach Best of Show.
- 1971: Opens the Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar.
- 2000: Expansion adds the self-guided museum building.
- 2025: Featured as a Location of Interest on US Route 6 Tourist Association homepage
The family’s restoration team has earned more concours awards than any other competitor, including multiple Best of Show victories at Pebble Beach.
Just a short distance from the museum, San Fernando Road once carried the traffic of major highways, including U.S. Route 6 and U.S. 99, through the Los Angeles region. In Glendale and nearby communities, the original alignment of U.S. Route 6 followed this historic corridor.
For travelers tracing the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, this stretch represents the western gateway of the route, where early motorists rolled into Southern California after crossing deserts, mountains, and plains.
Why Visit in February
- Comfortable winter weather for exploring the San Fernando Valley.
- Fewer crowds and a more relaxed museum experience.
- A rare chance to see world-class concours restorations up close.
- A meaningful stop along the historic U.S. Route 6 corridor.
The Nethercutt Collection is not simply an automobile museum. It is a celebration of craftsmanship, music, and the spirit of early road travel. For U.S. Route 6 explorers and classic car enthusiasts alike, it stands as one of the most memorable stops in Southern California.
Subscribe today and let Route 6 come to you, one story at a time.
