J.B. Nethercutt

J.B. Nethercutt
Nethercutt in 1952
Born	Jack Boison Nethercutt Template:Birth date South Bend, Indiana, U.S.
Died	December 6, 2004(2004-12-06) (aged 91) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Education	California Institute of Technology (did not complete)
Spouse	Dorothy Sykes ​ ​ (m. 1933; died 2004)​
Children	Jack • Robert
Family	Nethercutt-Richards

Jack Boison Nethercutt (October 11, 1913 – December 6, 2004) was an American businessman and distinguished automobile collector. He established the Nethercutt Collection and is acknowledged as a trailblazer in the field of automotive collecting. Nethercutt holds the unparalleled distinction of securing six Best of Show awards at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

In 1931, he partnered with his aunt, Merle Norman, to launch Merle Norman Cosmetics, initially working as a delivery person before ascending to chairman and CEO roles. He also contributed as a board member of the national Personal Care Products Council and presided over the California Cosmetics Association.

With his financial success, Nethercutt collected more than 200 vintage and high-end automobiles. In 1971, he founded the Nethercutt Collection estate to showcase his vehicles, which later expanded to include a music museum. He personally managed the restoration of some iconic cars such as the Bugatti Dubos and Duesenberg Twenty Grand, regarded among the world’s most valuable automobiles. After his passing, he was inducted into the American Theatre Organ Society hall of fame in 2005.

Early life and education

Born in South Bend, Indiana to Carl and Florence Nethercutt, Jack had two siblings. Following his mother’s death at age nine, he relocated in 1923 to Santa Monica, California to reside with his aunt Merle Norman and uncle Andy Norman.

He completed his secondary education at Santa Monica High School and enrolled at the California Institute of Technology pursuing chemistry studies. During this period, his aunt had started a modest cosmetics enterprise from home. He left college to assist her in growing the business.

Merle Norman Cosmetics

Merle Norman Cosmetics began in 1931 when his aunt invested $150 to start selling homemade beauty products in Santa Monica. While Norman formulated the products, Nethercutt handled distribution by bicycle, using repurposed grocery boxes for packaging. By 1934, the business expanded to include 94 independently operated franchises nationwide, predominantly owned by women. Nethercutt held the Vice-Chairman position until Norman retired in 1963. In 1969, he took the family enterprise public on the American Stock Exchange but reacquired all shares in 1974 for roughly $10 million (around $55 million today), returning it to private ownership.

Throughout Nethercutt’s guidance, Merle Norman rose to rank among America’s top ten cosmetics companies as reported by People magazine. In 1981, he allocated $5 million toward the brand’s inaugural nationwide advertising initiative, moving beyond word-of-mouth promotion. The company also launched experimental sales efforts in Europe (Switzerland and Austria), achieving $1 million in revenue during its first year abroad. By the end of 1981, Merle Norman operated more than 2,700 studios across the United States and Canada with revenues exceeding $130 million. Nethercutt resigned as CEO in 1993 but continued as chairman. In 1999, he spearheaded a comprehensive renovation of all North American studios to ensure consistent branding, updating designs last refreshed in the late 1970s. By 2004, Merle Norman maintained operations in eight countries and consistently placed within Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 top 50 rankings. With revenues surpassing $100 million, Nethercutt handed management over to his son, Jack Nethercutt II.

Roles in the Cosmetics Industry

Nethercutt held the position of President at the California Cosmetics Association and was an active member of both the board of directors and the executive committee for the national Personal Care Products Council trade organization.

Automobiles

In 1956, Nethercutt acquired two classic vehicles needing restoration: a 1936 Duesenberg Convertible Roadster for $5,000 and a 1930 DuPont Town Car at $500. The restoration of the DuPont spanned more than 18 months and cost $65,000, ultimately earning Best of Show honors at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1958. By 1971, he purchased a sizable parcel in Sylmar, Los Angeles, where he constructed a 60,000-square-foot, ten-story facility to house his collection of automobiles and antiques, complete with a private penthouse on the top floor. This building, known as The Nethercutt Collection, was situated next to a Merle Norman manufacturing plant.

The first two floors of the tower showcase thirty automobiles; the third level is dedicated to concours trophies and hood ornaments. The fourth floor contains a music room filled with antique music boxes, player pianos, a Wurlitzer theatre organ, and a Louis XV-style dining area staffed by a private chef. A theatre and piano collection occupy the fifth floor, while the uppermost floor serves as Nethercutt’s penthouse residence. Public guided tours are available free of charge on the first four floors.

During the late 1970s, Nethercutt undertook the restoration of the renowned Twenty Grand, a 1933 Rollston Arlington Torpedo-bodied Duesenberg SJ, changing its original black paint to metallic silver. This vehicle won Best of Show at Pebble Beach in 1980 and was displayed in Essen, Germany as one of The Ten Most Beautiful Cars in the World. In 1984, he repurchased a 1936 Duesenberg Convertible Coupe for $800,000—having previously sold it in 1961 for only $5,000.

From 1959 through 2000, he repeatedly restored the Bugatti Type 51 Dubos, restoring it to its famous Dubos Coupe style with dark purple paintwork.

In the early 2000s, Nethercutt expanded his collection by adding a 40,000-square-foot extension to the tower and establishing a new 60,000-square-foot self-guided Nethercutt Museum across the street. The museum grounds also feature his CPR steam locomotive Royal Hudson No. 2839 along with a 1912 Pullman private railcar. By 2004, nearly 250 vehicles were displayed between both locations. Autoweek ranked this among the top five automotive museums in America, while Jay Leno described it as "a Smithsonian-quality tribute to America's transportation history" and "the automotive hall of fame." Ownership was later transferred to his son Jack and wife Helen.

Each year, Nethercutt organized exclusive car cruises for family members and select guests to Frazier Park for picnics prepared by professional chefs from his collection—a rare privilege highly valued by car aficionados. As Autoweek remarked, "No matter if you have wealth like Bill Gates or own an extensive collection rivaling that of the Sultan of Brunei, receiving a personal invitation from J.B. Nethercutt himself is unmatched."

He is widely celebrated as the preeminent automobile restorer in history.

Concours d'Elegance

Nethercutt distinguished himself as one of the most accomplished participants in North American Concours d'Elegance competitions, achieving a remarkable six Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show titles. These victories occurred in 1958 with the duPont Model G Merrimac Town Car, 1959 with the Bugatti Type 57C Gangloff Atalante Coupe, 1969 with the Duesenberg J Murphy Dual Cowl Phaeton, 1970 with the Daimler Double-Six 50 Royal Limousine, 1980 with the Twenty Grand Duesenberg, and finally in 1992 with the Rolls-Royce Phantom II Brewster Town Car.

Regarded by many as the preeminent automobile restorer in history, Nethercutt's expertise has greatly elevated both the esteem and market value of his automotive collection.

Philanthropy

In 1985, Nethercutt contributed $1 million to support the establishment of a new emergency department in Kenora, Canada. The subsequent year, he donated several million dollars toward the construction of the Merle Norman Pavilion, a six-story facility at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica.

Personal life

Nethercutt wed his high school love, Dorothy Sykes, in 1933. Dorothy’s assortment of David Winter ceramics—featuring miniature cottages and pianos—is displayed within the Nethercutt Collection. The couple had two sons, Jack and Robert. Through Jack and his wife Helen, they had three great-grandchildren.

He cultivated friendships with notable Los Angeles automobile enthusiasts such as Jay Leno, Barry Meguiar, and Bruce Meyer. A passionate angler, Nethercutt often traveled to Lake of the Woods near Kenora and once even redirected his aircraft there to join a local fish fry at Ye Old Chip Truck.

Estates

His San Sylmar estate ranked among the largest residences in the United States, encompassing 60,000 square feet. The property included a Louis XV-inspired dining room and an industrial-grade kitchen used for exclusive dinners prepared by French chef Yvon Hunckler, formerly associated with renowned establishments like The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hôtel de Paris in Monaco. The penthouse on the sixth floor featured a balcony and a rotating Rococo-style bedroom offering panoramic views of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Additionally, he possessed a private island located at Lake of the Woods in Canada.

Aircraft

Nethercutt’s aviation assets under Merle Norman Aviation comprised multiple private planes including a Gulfstream I, Gulfstream II, and a Cessna 206, alongside a small fleet of helicopters.

Awards and honors

In recognition of five decades dedicated to historic car restoration, he was honored with the Meguiar's Award in 2001. Posthumously, he was inducted into the American Theatre Organ Society hall of fame in 2005. The J.B. & Dorothy Nethercutt Most Elegant Closed Car Award at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance commemorates their contributions. Furthermore, the Nethercutt Emergency Center at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica bears his name as a tribute after his passing.

Death

Nethercutt passed away on December 6, 2004, in Santa Monica.