Sharrie and Chuck Wiillams BB1, celebrate their great uncle, Tom Lyle Williams 117th Birthday at the Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction

Maybelline Family Classic Cars Slideshow

Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction with Sharrie and her Maybelline Cousins.

Sharrie and her cousin Chuck Williams, BB1, Cousin Nancy Williams Fesler and her husband EJ Fesler, toast their great uncle, Tom Lyle Williams, 117th Birthday.

Sharrie, EJ and BB1 at Barrett Jackson Classic
 Car Auction standing next to the Lexus LFA, V10,
8 speed, Carbon Fiber, $375,000 showpiece. 

Cousin Chuck, BB1, owner of REEEEEL Convertibles, was able to speak with George Barris about the Batmobile.   Barris knew what others thought about the car, but that did not change his belief at all!  BB1 was wrong about the price but not the car. BB1, along with George Barris we're on both sides of Right and Wrong but both on the same page.   Barris, designer and owner of the Batmobile believed his car would sell for 4-5 million...He was right... It wound up selling for $4.2 million, to Rick Champagne, of Arizona, for his girlfriend, he said...The Batmobile, was the big
 surprise winner of the entire auction.

Of course the big event for me was seeing the Packard's and comparing to our great uncle Tom Lyle Williams 1934 and 1940 Packard's.

The Packard closest to Tom Lyle Williams 1940 one of a kind Packard Victoria.

Tom Lyle Williams 1934 custom 1934 Vee Windshield Dietrich Packard.

Tom Lyle Williams with his 1940 Packard Victoria.

Tom Lyle Williams 1940 Packard is now owned by Bill Snyder.

Cosmetic King, Tom Lyle Williams, 1940 Packard Victoria.

Maybelline owner, Tom Lyle Williams, King of the road, during Hollywood's Glamour Heyday!

Tom Lyle Williams at the Villa Valentino,
posing next to his 1940 Packard Victoria.

Check out past posts about Tom Lyle's custom, Packard Victoria, below.

http://www.maybellinebook.com/2012/01/1940-packard-victoria-by-bohman.html

http://www.maybellinebook.com/2012/01/1940-packard-vctorias-hood-ornament-is.html

http://www.maybellinebook.com/2012/01/toasting-tom-lyle-williams-116th.html


My presentation at the Pacific Book Club, in Newport Beach, last night, was a smashing success.  I will be posting pictures tomorrow.

My Cousin Chuck Williams, aka, BB1 and I will be visiting Bill and Steve Snyder of VAULTCARS, next week to view, Tom Lyle's 1940 Packard, be sure to check in to see pictures and a video. 

1917 Paige Detroit,"the most beautiful car in America."

                  To celebrate Tom Lyle Williams,
           116 Birthday.....Jan 19, 1896.....

My cousin, Chuck Williams, aka, BBI, and I met with Steve Snyder, of Vault Cars, at Barrett Jackson's Classic Car Auction, in Scottsdale Arizona....We discussed our great uncle's, 1940 Packard Victoria.... which has been in Steve's, father, Bill Snyder's, collection for over 40 years.

Tom Lyle Williams,

What came out of that meeting, was a decision to meet on March 18, to view the Packard Victoria and make a video, for my blog. Check this video of Chuck and Sharrie toasting Tom Lyle's 116th Birthday.

Tom Lyle's, first automobile was the,, Paige Detroit, click on highlighted, Paige Detroit for a one of my earlier posts, about Tom Lyle and this amazing classic!!!!

                                           
 Lash-Brow-Ine History, Click highlighted, for an earlier post and get the big picture of what was going on when Tom Lyle, purchased The Paige Detroit, known as the most beautiful car in the world, in 1917.

When Lash-Brow-Ine, became Maybelline, in 1917, Tom Lyle, celebrated by buying, The Paige Detroit.

The first liquid Maybelline followed Maybelline cake mascara in 1917.


Each day this week I will show another automobile, owned byMaybelline's King of Advertising, Tom Lyle Williams.

Stay tuned as we head towards seeing TL's Packard!!!

Sharrie with her cousin Chuck Williams BB1, Toast their great uncle, Maybelline's Founder Tom Lyle Williams, 116th Birthday.

Happy 116th Birthday, Uncle Lyle!!!!

Year of the Dragon, Powerful 2012!! click here.

Tom Lyle Williams, of The Maybelline Company, was the original owner of this gorgeous 1940, Packard Victoria, with the Horse-Head, hood ornament.  Today it belongs to the Bill Snyder collection, in Southern California.  Chuck and Sharrie Williams, will be working with Bill's son, Steve Snyder of VAULTCARS, to produce a mini-documentary about Tom Lyle and the Packard.

Click on video to see Sharrie Williams with her cousin Chuck Williams, BB1, toast their great uncle, Tom Lyle Williams 116th Birthday, Jan 19, 2012, after several day's at The Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction.

Stay tuned for more Classic Car highlights this week.

Happy Chinese New Year!!!  Year of the Dragon!!!

1940 Packard Victoria by Bohman & Schwartz, ready for it's close up!

Tom Lyle Williams 1940 convertible, Packard Victoria, ready to come out of the Vault

Tom Lyle's 16 year old nephew, Dick Williams in the driver's seat of his uncle's 1940 Packard Victoria. The extra long, 20 foot, bumper to bumper body, made it one of a kind. Picture shot at The Villa Valentino, 1947.

Tom Lyle's Packard Victoria, built by Bohman & Schwartz, is now part of Bill Snyder's collection, in Southern California.  My cousin Chuck Williams, aka, BB1, and I met up with Bill's son, Steve Snyder of VAULTCARS, at Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction, this week and discussed making a documentary on this very rare automobile. I will post it sometime in March, so stay tuned for stories and facts that have been in the Vault for 60 years.

Two Car-Guy's on the same page, at Barrett Jackson.

Making contact with the family, who owns Tom Lyle Williams 1940 Packard Victoria,

My cousin Chuck Williams, (aka BB1,) of REEEEEL CONVERTIBLES, and I met up with Steve Snyder, of VAULTCARS, at  Barrett Jackson, to discuss making a documentary on Tom Lyle Williams, 1940 convertible Packard Victoria.

Steve Snyder is the go-to man, when it comes to vintage Packard's.  The difference between this 1939 Packard Victoria and Tom Lyle's, 1940 Packard Victoria are significant.

 Steve and Chuck, hit it off like Car-Guy's do!!!  They both agree, vintage Packard's were the car of the day!!

To be continued.   

Downton Abbey claims Golden Globe

High class costume drama Downton Abbey wins Golden Globe for best television mini series.

The Primetime Emmy Award and Golden Globe, winning series from Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park) returns to Masterpiece classic Downton Abbey.  It is a hit saga - mini-series,  about the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants.

Click on video, for a one minute view into the Crawley's private lives.  Watch Masterpiece Theatre Sunday nights on PBS.  Downton Abbey, takes place in England during WW 1 and captures the period, with stunning costumes, outrageous cars and beautiful scenes inside and outside the Abbey.





Another vintage period piece, television show I love, is MadMen. A view into an advertising agency during the 1960s.  MadMen returns March 25th on AMC.



Click on Video and meet MadMen's, Don Draper.  If you love period pieces, check all the movies and TV shows I recommend. 


Also check the Maybelline Blog this week, as my cousin, Chuck Williams, aka, BB1, of the Beach Boy's, and I visit Barrett Jackson's Classic Car Auction, where we will meet the man who owns, Tom Lyle Williams, 1940, Convertible Packard Victoria.

More vintage Maybelline Christmas pictures.

            Christmas past continued!!!

Christmas 1965, Evelyn Williams, Nana, my dad, Bill, me, and Unk Ile,
 (TL Williams.)



Unk Ile and Nana, 1966.

Sharrie, Bill, Unk Ile, Billee, my mother, Pauline, Donna and Nana, Christmas, 1967.

Bill, Vince Aiken, Charlie Lewis as Santa, my mother, Pauline and Billee, 1967.

Debby Angel, Preston as Santa, and Billee, 1968.

 Christmas, 1969, Lido Isle, Newport Beach, California.

Nana at my dad's home in Palm Springs, California, 1973.

My Baby Georgia, with Santa, 1978.

Stay tuned tomorrow for some vintage Christmas pictures, from my Cousin, Chuck Williams, aka, Beach Boy 1, family album.

Chuck and I will be going to the Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction, between Jan 15 - 22.  We will also be bringing you pictures and video's, of Tom Lyle's, 1940 Packard convertible, which has been located after 60 years, in Orange County California.  Needless to say, we are over-the-top, excited to see the car and know you will be too!!!

Maybelline family Christmas, during WW ll, 1943.

Merry Christmas, 1943, with the Noel J. and Frances Williams family.

Christmas poker game with Noel J,  Dick,  Neppy, Frances and antie Ida, (Frances sister.) Chicago.
Click on pictures to enlarge!!!!

 

Noel J, with two of his four children, 23 year old,
 Neppy and 11 year old Dick Williams.



Dick Williams, playing with one of his Christmas presents, a toy, WW ll, bomber plane.  Dick was fascinated with speed and was the first kid in school, to have a motorcycle, when he was only 14 years old.  

In January, I will be posting more about Dick Williams and the beautiful Excalibur's, he collected after the sale of the Maybelline Co. during the 1970s.

Also in January I will be at the Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction again this year, with my cousin Chuck Williams, aka, BB1.  We  have found Tom Lyle's 1940 Packard Victoria, built by the custom body builders Bohman & Schwartz, and will be doing a series of video's for the Maybelline Blog.  This is going to be very exciting for those of you who love vintage classic cars.

A new image of the the American woman in 1924..... brought to you by Maybelline.

    1924 Vogue cover, with a beautifully made-up face.

Illustration of "IT GIRL"  Clara Bow.

MGM, formed in 1924, becoming the dominant studio during Hollywood's Golden Age and influencing images of girls around the world. 

Maybelline's Illustration of Vamp, Louise Brooks.

Tom Lyle Williams, contributed to the Hollywood Star System by featuring Stars in Maybelline ads, in movie and fashion magazines, newspapers and radio shows.

Mabel with her brother-in-law, Chester Arthur Haines, at his wedding to her sister Eva, in 1924.  

Mabel may have put  the "M" in Maybelline, but, she had no interest in being just another "It Girl," or "Vamp."  She was a traditional, 32 year old, Southern Lady, waiting for her man to come along.  

Unbeknownst to her, Chester Randolph Hewes, was living in Chicago and working at Montgomery Wards, in the automotive, advertising department.

At the time Chester, was involved with an English girl he'd met in England, while in the Navy, during
WW l.  He had said goodbye to her and her family after his stint was over and headed back to the US, got a job and was busy working.  When all of a sudden, Connie, her mother and several grown brothers showed up on his doorstep.

He told her he did not want to marry her, but being a gentleman, arranged for an apartment for the family and  jobs for her brothers.  After awhile she realized Chester, just wasn't that into her, so, packed up her family and sadly, headed back to England.

Mabel met Chester, through his sister Bonnie when he came to pick up Bonnie at a bridal shower given at the home of Chester's then girlfriend.  Mabel was also a guest and after Chester met her, he told a friend, Mabel was the girl he was going to marry.

Story by Chet and Mabel's daughter, Shirley Hughes, who passed away recently at 95 years if age.

Maybelline founder Tom Lyle Williams passion for beautiful automobiles lives on today

Bill Williams with his uncle Tom Lyle Williams, founder of the Maybelline Company, and his mother Evelyn.  Taken at the home Tom Lyle bought for them in West Los Angeles in 1938.

Tom Lyle was loyal to Evelyn, promising to take care of her and Bill for the rest of their lives.  He gave her a diamond ring for standing by his brother Preston for 13 years and bought them a little house in West Los Angeles not far from the Villa Valentino.  Unk Ile, as Bill called his uncle, became a surrogate father, not only bringing security into his life but also the love of beautiful automobiles - a factor influencing Bill's desire for collecting classic cars after the sale of the Maybelline Company in 1967. 

Check out author Sharrie Williams, Bills Daughter and her cousin Chuck Williams, at the Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction Jan 20th, discussing their great uncle, Tom Lyle's  passion for custom designed Packards. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLwq53JTUU0

Maybelline's, King of Advertising also the king of custom made automobiles.

Top picture, Preston, Evelyn, Tom Lyle and Bill Williams.  Bottom picture Tom Lyle and his son Tom Jr.  Picture to the right, Tom Lyle Williams founder of the Maybelline co.  Pictures taken in Chicago, 1934.

Tom Lyle Willams founder of the Maybelline Co. told me he never wanted to be remembered as the man who invented mascara, he wanted to be remembered as the King of Advertising.  He also was the King of custom designed Packard's .  Read more about his love of beautiful automobiles in The Maybelline Story and also stay tuned this week for Tom Lyle's great nephew Chuck Williams who will be discussing Tom Lyle's automobiles from his 1916 to 1967, while we are at the Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction in Scottsdale Arizona (on video. ) See pictures of Tom Lyle's automobiles as well as the up close and personal cars at the auction.  Click on below and see Sharrie Williams at he Arizona Biltmore Resort announcing her cousin Chuck's visit.

video at the Biltmore click here to see Sharrie at the Biltmore

Maybelline founder's nephew takes family on wild ride after inheriting millions at 45.



Maybelline Story Author Sharrie Williams with her father, Bill Williams, at his estate in Palm Spring California,  during the filming of the movie Goodbye Norma Jean, in 1975.

Read more about Tom Lyle's nephew Bill Williams in the Maybelline Story, and the wild ride he took his family on after the sale of the Maybelline Co. sold in 1968. 

 It could be said that all hell broke lose after Bill inherited millions overnight at only 45, but in the end I'd have to say "it sure was a fun ride."

Also stay tuned for Sharrie's cousin Chuck Williams as he discusses his great uncle Tom Lyle Williams love of beautiful automobiles while at the Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction in Scottsdale next week.

Life at the Villa Valentino in Hollywood, in the 1930s.

Pool Party at the Villa Valentino with Evelyn Williams standing dressed to kill and Bill Williams on the diving board surrounded by friends and family.  Tom Lyle and Emery are watching from the veranda. 1938.

Tom Lyle and Emory led a quiet life in the luxury of the Villa Valentino, and didn't flaunt their relationship. In the 1920's and 30's people didn't care much if somebody was gay as long as they kept a false identity in public. In Chicago Tom Lyle and Emery stood out, gossip circulated about them wearing a hint of Maybelline, wearing expensive suits, driving flashy custom made cars and sporting pencil thin mustaches.  They didn't fit in the Midwest, but Hollywood was different, it offered tolerance and acceptance.  Tom Lyle could be comfortable at the Villa Valentino with Evelyn and Bill around him, and he invited some of the biggest stars in Hollywood to his sanctuary where he contracted them for Maybelline ads.

Read more about the Villa Valentino, and Tom Lyle's love of beautiful automobiles in The Maybelline Story, and check out Sharrie Williams at the Sanctuary Resort in Arizona talking about her cousin Chuck Williams upcoming visit to   the Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction next week.  He will be discussing his great uncle Tom Lyle's love of cars while at the show, as well as his personal car collection - as he follows in his great uncles footprint. 

the video will be on the blog to enjoy at that time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8tEcQpRUNM