Studes in Roadside Americana photos

[Noxnabaker]

I reckon the -57 Dodge is the newest car on that picture, or is that a -57 Olds to the left?

[JGK 940]

I reckon the -57 Dodge is the newest car on that picture, or is that a -57 Olds to the left?

Pretty sure that car to the left of the Stude is a '57 Mercury Monterey with dual (as opposed to quad) headlights.

[BobPalma]

Pretty sure that car to the left of the Stude is a '57 Mercury Monterey with dual (as opposed to quad) headlights.

Agreed, John. Good call. BP

[Noxnabaker]

Ah, I also saw that now, for sure a Mercury & just as new as the Dodge.

[JGK 940]

Arroyo Seco Parkway, Los Angeles; 1949. Now known as the Pasadena Freeway, this was the first modern freeway built in the US. This shot was taken facing northward, just to the east of Chavez Ravine - home of the Dodgers since 1962.

[6hk71400]

Arroyo Seco Parkway, Los Angeles; 1949. Now known as the Pasadena Freeway, this was the first modern freeway built in the US. This shot was taken facing northward, just to the east of Chavez Ravine - home since the Dodgers since 1962.

Looks like 70 years later, nothing has changed, except the speed, and no imported cars. Guessing there was an accident 4 miles up the road.

Bob Miles

[Alan]

No, by the shadows, this pic. was taken early on a fall or winter morning and the cars were going to jobs in downtown.

[JGK 940]

No, by the shadows, this pic. was taken early on a fall or winter morning and the cars were going to jobs in downtown.

Sorry, Alan; having driven various versions of this stretch quite a number of times over more than half a century I'm afraid I'll have to disagree. Please note Pasadena (as indicated by the upward arrow on the sign) is to the northeast of downtown LA and is the terminus of this stretch of road. Adobe Street still exists as a stub off of West College, to the south-southeast of the point of view of this picture; the arrow for that offramp points in what is now the general direction of Cathedral High School. The offramp shown to the right, here, now connects directly with Hill St. southbound and Stadium Way to the north and west. This image shows the Parkway on an afternoon in the depth of the homeward bound rush hour.

[Alan]

I have never driven the road in the pic. The only A.S. Parkway I am familiar with is the one that runs from Pasadena to L.A. and goes through Highland Park. My father had an office at 64th. and York from 1952-76 and I have never seen a stretch of it like that.

[JGK 940]

Looks a little different after seventy years, but still recognizable. Signs ahead are for Exit 25/Academy Road and Dodger Stadium/Hill Street; view is to the northeast thanks to Google Earth.

Now: back to Studebakers, once again courtesy of Water and Power Associates and the Dick Whittington Collection at USC Library:

[BobPalma]

From the [finally!] November 29 Old Motor (it's supposed to be here Sunday morning but didn't arrive until Tuesday evening this week!).

I hope the person who arrived in the '47(?) didn't trade it in on a new 1951 Chevrolet!

[BobPalma]

And another from that Old Motor:

[JGK 940]

Some of these cars look to be going the wrong way in these four lanes to the lower right. Must be on LSD.

[Skip Lackie]

Can't read the license plates and see no signs, but I suspect that's the Long Island Expressway, which had some lanes that changed direction during rush hour during that period. The bus appears to a standard Fifth Avenue Coach Company double decker, very common around NYC in the 40s and 50s. My father built a model of it for me during the War when no new toys were available. The bus company provided him with blueprints to use in its construction.

Would be glad to be corrected if I'm wrong.

[firestoper 25]

Gee Skip how nice is that, that a company (during a world war no less!) would take the time and trouble to dig up prints and help a father for a special gift for his son. I just cannot see that happening in today's world! What happened to the buss?? Sherm / Green Bay / 63R1089