Archive for the ‘Period Photographs’ Category

Chicago or Bust

Friday, June 10th, 2011

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A road trip in a run down jalopy must have been a special experience in 1934 and based on the dirty hands these guys have, there were probably plenty of roadside adjustments needed on the Chevy, but these guys made it all the way up from New Orleans to attend the Century of Progress World’s Fair located in Chicago. Impressed with the artistically bedecked Chevy, fair officials gave the boys a special parking permit near the fairs grounds to display their masterpiece. The slogans on the car include :”2 things don’t mix: gas n gin” and “Our moms home waiting for us” I’ll bet the artist Charles A. Dupaquier, went on to have a fine career as an artist. Photograph is courtesy of the University of Illinois at Chicago Library.

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Muscle Car School

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

As long as I can remember I’ve been into cars. I still remember seeing a brand new 1967 Firebird convertible one evening when my Dad took us to the local Burger Chef drive in. I begged my Dad to buy one, but we were a wagon family, so something as sporty as a Firebird was out  of the question. At least I had my Matchbox car collection to keep me going and when Hot Wheels came out in 1968, almost all my playtime with my friends revolved around racing our Hot Wheels.

For a boy who was as into cars as much as I was, it came as quite a surprise when I our school organized the classrooms into teams named after the cars of the day. I started on the Wildcats but was also on the Mustangs and Road Runners while I attended the school. The other team names included  the Camaros, Firebirds, and the Barracudas. I’m not sure what the girls thought of our team names, but for my friends and I it was pretty cool to be part of muscle car school!

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Rainy Day

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Series of photos taken on a rainy day in 1967 from inside a Plymouth Valiant.
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1955 Thunderbird Fender Bender

Friday, December 4th, 2009

I can’t say I blame her for being upset and given the way the police officer is talking to her it looks like it may have been her fault. I’ve never seen these wheels covers on a 55 Bird. I wonder if these were dealer installed. The Photos were taken in June of 1958 in Los Angeles. Does anyone know the location?

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Life Photo Archive

Kaufmann Chevrolet 1953

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Kaufmann Chevrolet dealership in New York. Picture was taken in late 1953. You can buy a brand new 1954 Chevrolet sedan for $1,595. I’m holding out for the 55’s though. I hear they’re gonna to be nice.
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Copyright PCLjr

Steuarts Ford Garage 1920

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

Steuarts Garage in Washington D.C. Circa 1920.
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Clicking the pictures (and then using your browser magnifying icon) will show you full size detail. Lots of great stuff in the parts department.

1958 Country Sedan: Destination Disneyland

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

When I look at this photo I can’t help but to think of National Lampoons “Vacation” when the Griswald family arrived at Wally World after a cross country trip only to find an empty parking lot and the entrance closed. This family had better luck than the Griswalds, but I’m sure like most families, their vacation adventure was filled with fighting siblings, car sickness and unforeseen obstacles along the way, but in the end it was all worth it. By the time the Country Sedan pulled up to Disneyland all was forgiven. They had reached their destination and Pops only had to pay a quarter for parking.
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Copyright lreed7649

1955 Oldsmobiles: Showroom New

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

It’s late in 1954 and the 1955 Oldsmobiles have recently arrived at this New York city showroom. The all new Oldsmobiles must have looked pretty impressive to passer-byes that evening. Pictured are a Coral and Polar White Starfire convertible and a Caspian Cream and Bronze Metallic Holiday 88.
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Copyright PLCjr

Ernie Banks- Hall of Famer and Plymouth Salesman

Sunday, February 8th, 2009

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Ernie Banks is my all time favorite baseball player. I truly believe that he may be the happiest man on the face of the earth. His eternal optimism and perpetual smile to anyone who has never followed him would at first probably seem like an act. But for someone who has followed him for 40 years I can tell you that Ernie’s happiness is sincere.

Ernie played in an era where ballplayers would work during the off season to pick up a few extra bucks. Some guys worked construction, others dug graves, anything to make some money. Ernie Banks sold Plymouths and I bet he was good at it. With Ernie’s charm, I could see him turning a Valiant looker into a Fury buyer in no time.

The pictures here were taken on November 4th 1959. Ernie was working that day when he found out he was named the National League MVP for the second straight year. You can see Ernie sitting in a Valiant reading the press release about his MVP award. I’ll bet Ernie sold a few Furys that day!

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The 1958 Bel Air Impala- “Lower and Longer, Wider and Stronger… Deep Down New”!

Saturday, February 7th, 2009

In 1958 David Ekman was a young Swedish citizen living in Chicago.  The U.S. was in a recession and import car sales were booming, accounting for 10% of U.S. car sales that year.  Being a practical Swede,  David could have chosen a Volkswagen or a Renault to buy but David chose the flashy all new Bel Air Impala Sport Coupe.  David walked into “Z” Frank Chevrolet in February 1958 and walked out with a brand new Silver Blue Impala.  David’s Swedish practicality did come through in his engine choice by going with the more fuel efficient and $107 cheaper 6 cylinder engine.

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Pictures Copyright David Ekman