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Pan Am Lives on in One Man’s Garage

Fans of the golden age of air travel would be impressed. Anthony Toth, a sales director at United Airlines, has created a complete first class cabin replica of Pan Am’s 747 in his garage near Redondo Beach, California. Toth has invested approximately $50,000 in the project so far, while reclaiming parts from the “aircraft boneyard” in the Mojave Desert. When he can’t find the parts that he needs, he has someone fabricate them.

His creation is complete with first class seating, red carpeting and overhead luggage bins. Once comfortably seated, Mr. Toth’s visitors can sip beverages from the long-defunct airline’s glasses, served with Pan Am logo pretzel sticks and napkins along with salted almonds still sealed with Pan Am wrappers. Mr Toth left no detail behind, even offering a pair of headphones, still completely wrapped. Visitors can recline and listen to the music supplied through the armrest.

Mr. Toth claims his passion for Pan Am is because “They had this uncompromising standard of service.”. Anthony went on to say that he hopes his creation becomes part of a museum someday.

The notorious Pan Am became the first company to offer international service in the 1930’s and quickly became known as the pinnacle of airline flying and luxury. During the 1970’s Pan Am was plagued with the oil shortage that caused skyrocketing fuel prices along with new competition for international flights. In 1988, a Pan Am flight was bombed by terrorists above Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 270 people on board. The airline later declared bankruptcy in 1991. Mr. Toth’s current employer, united airlines, purchased the pacific division of Pan Am in 1985.