Like many other teenagers in America I was beguiled by the image of the ‘California beach life’. Images of cars like this 1939 surfer Woody may have contributed to my moving here after college.
In Burbank…
A few days ago the social media group, Krispy Creme Tuesdays, held a flash mob car show — well, they tried to hold a flash mob car show–in Burbank. Thousands of car enthusiasts showed up with their vehicles, thousands of spectators joined them and filled up a huge parking lot outside of the Krispy Creme shop. The Burbank police showed up, too, and the show was shut down. Everyone was sent on their way. (Full disclosure: the company Krispy Creme has nothing to do with this group.)
The Woody’s interior reminded me of cars with metal pedals, analog dials–but the Hawaiian hula dancer on the dashboard came later.
In Pasadena…
In contrast the Pasadena Police Department held an invitational car show on Sunday in conjunction with the Pasadena Chalk Art Show. Fewer than a hundred cars were exhibited. It was all very polite. Very Pasadena.
While I am not much of a car enthusiast, I wandered among the cars, taking photos, having a wonderful trip down memory lane. “Hey, in high school I rode in a car like that Fairlane.” “Oh, that MG–my boyfriend in college drove one like that.” “Oh yes. I remember that those ‘bad boys’ in my high school in Oregon drove around in a jalopy like that one–only not painted so brightly”.
This 1941 Ford convertible has been customized beyond recognition as a Ford.By the time I got to college, two-tone Chevys and Fords had lost their allure for me. I dated young men who drove MGs like this one. Or, better yet, Porsches.There were quite a few customized trucks at this event including this Chevy truck.This restored and customized GMC truck was one of many at the Pasadena Police Car showThis Chevy ThriftMaster began life as a durable utility vehicle. But look what a customizer did to it! Hot!Sometimes when I was in high school a teenage boy might be able to afford an old 1941 Willy–but certainly not customized like this beauty.This Ford Fairlane from the 1950s was, even then, a cool car. Teenagers in those days couldn’t afford one, but sometimes cruised around at night in their parents’ cars like this.And, of course, there was one Rolls Royce in the show. I’ve only ridden in a Rolls once in my life.
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