An exact replica of San Francisco car makes its new home in Dundee where it is available for wine tours and special events.

Marcus Larson / News-Register

Richard Oviatt, Bob Bunn and Borge Paulmann are partners in The Trolley company.

Marcus Larson / News-Register

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The trolley draws waves and thumbs up whenever it's out in public.

Its sophisticated air, derived from its San Francisco prototype, and style that evokes a feeling out of the past, causes passersby to smile.

Partners Bob Bunn, Richard Oviatt and Borge Paulmann bought the trolley from a Portland man who acquired it after it was retired from service in Breckenridge, Colo. The three men went through it front to back, top to bottom and restored it to near mint condition.

With its Philippine mahogany benches polished to a high gleam and windows all-round, they think the trolley is the perfect transportation for wine country or scenic tours or just to arrive in style at a special event. When they're aboard, they get into the spirit by wearing trolley-era vest and cap reproductions.

They hired Jessica Binkerd, who drives for McMinnville's First Student school bus company, as their driver. A former preschool teacher, she looked for a job that would correspond with her children's school hours and driving a bus fit right in.

She recently drove the trolley on its inaugural excursion. It was filled to maximum capacity of 27 riders and deftly navigated Yamhill County roads to a special event at Methven Vineyards near Amity.

Binkerd said she finds the trolley easy to drive and park. At 30-feet-8-inches, it's shorter than a regular school bus. It's built on a Freightliner chassis, has four wheels and automatic transmission. Its front-end 5.9-litre turbo diesel engine runs on biodiesel or regular diesel.

The authentic bell sitting on top is powered by an air compressor and emits the traditional trolley clang.

"People are excited and happy to ride in it," said Binkerd, who also dons a uniform when she's working. "It's a great ride."

Bunn, Oviatt and Paulmann have been friends for several years. Bunn started and sold The Bag Connection in Dundee and now makes custom golf clubs. Last year, he was named the Oregon Golf Club Maker of the Year by the national Golf Club Makers Association. Paulmann still works at The Bag Connection and Oviatt is semi-retired from his Newberg business, All-Fab Steel. He's in charge of the trolley's mechanical maintenance. Paulmann's wife, Elaine, who has a background in systems analysis, serves as office manager for the trio's company, which is appropriately called The Trolley.

The trolley may be rented by the hour or the day. It is available for wine tasting, weddings, corporate functions, sporting events or for just spending a day with family and friends while taking in the beauty of the Willamette Valley.

A website is under construction.

For more information on rates or availability, call 503-437-5969.