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The Return to Life of an Original Wooden Cadillac

Over the part couple years with the help other dedicated pilates teachers, we conducted a labor of love: to bring this original wooden Cadillac to full restoration so that it may be used once again.

When Sean Gallagher purchased this Cadillac (with many other pieces of original apparatus) along with Joe and Clara’s Berkshires estate, the equipment was in disrepair and in need of major TLC.

Over course of 4 summers, we gathered to clean the wood, the hardware, and the vintage vinyl, taking care to maintain the aged patina. Fortunately, the original upholstery was in good condition with no rips or major blemishes so all it need was a good toothbrush cleaning!

We sourced replica hardware that was missing to complete the structure. The hardware for the Cadillac wasn’t quite as hard to find as it was for the clawfoot reformer, but it was specific and we were sure to use fittings that were according to what Joe Pilates specifically chose to work with.

It was a beautiful moment when we lifted the upright poles of the apparatus and it stood- once again- inside Joe’s original studio in the Berkshires!

Since then, pilates teachers from around the world have come to gather, learn, and try this restored Cadillac for themselves- the oldest known wooden Cadillac to be open and accessible by appointment in these ways.

A huge thank you to Sean Gallagher for his pilates museum/studio where this fantastic artifact is kept, as well as the teachers who have joined us over the past few years to take part in this historic preservation.

If you’d like to visit the Cadillac yourself, contact Sean Gallagher about when the Pilates Museum is open, or apply to the next Pilates at The Pillow®.