Glimpses of South Pasadena: Night Rider

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Night Rider

A night shot... a classic car... (Too bad it wasn't in front of the library. That would have been a Glimpses of South Pasadena trifecta!)

19 comments:

Wayne said...: True, it's not the library. But parking in front of that nice black and red tile work was a nice touch.

I hope you left a thank you note Laurie.; January 8, 2009 at 2:07 AM
Sharon said...: This photo makes me think of Edward Hopper!; January 8, 2009 at 6:18 AM
dbdubya said...: That photo brings back memories. The car is a 1963 Chevy II, GM's answer to the Ford Falcon. The Chevy II evolved into the Chevy Nova. I owned a white '62 Chevy II, which is nearly identical to this one, a red '67 and a copper colored '74 Nova.

Thanks, Laurie, for taking me back in time.; January 8, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Double "D" said...: Glad dbdubya identified the car.
I'm from the 59's and 60's. About the
only thing I can recognize is a 57 Chevy
and a 49 Ford which was my first car.

I think your night shots are great. You
have good eye and knowledge of your
equipment plus you always give it
meaning with photo's and words.

Doug; January 8, 2009 at 8:38 AM
Yakpate said...: Why do your night shots always resonate with hidden meaning? Every one of them functions like a Rorschach Test, stimulating the viewer's imagination to create a story to match the image.

In this shot, a good kid who got in trouble with the Mob has stopped by his Mom & Pop's place to tell them goodbye before going on the lam... in the movie version, as his Chevy drives off another car pulls away from the curb and begins following him. The film noir ends with a view through the pursuing car's windshield as the young protagonist pulls up to a stop sign.

The End. Get the Kleenex!!!; January 8, 2009 at 9:05 AM
Dixie Jane said...: I really love all of this yellow topped off with a red door. You couldn't have staged it better. Once again a vintage car found you and even set the stage. I'm glad we have knowledgable folks among us who can identify these cars. Had he parked in front of a green building it would not have been the same. Your night scenes are awesome, Laurie girl.; January 8, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Anonymous said...: Isn't this rather rubbing Stephane's nose in it?; January 8, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Petrea Burchard said...: AH, you are hysterical.

Yakpate, I felt a story too, but only a shimmer of it. A getaway car outside a closed bar in the early hours. Inside, someone's in danger.; January 8, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Judy Williams said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; January 8, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Judy Williams said...: HEE HEE - a classic Nova. that looks like one of the first years they made them - definitely EARLY 60's. It's funny cause there is a later model Toyota van poking out behind the building, so the juxtapositoin is nice. I love that harsh yellow light and the pop of red. The criss cross of the glass blocks to its left add more texture too, along with the tile of the building. Oh I just saw that it's a Chevy II. Well, I was close. haha; January 8, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Walker said...: You have a good eye for the drama in the ordinary. Terrific.; January 8, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Ken Mac said...: that is a Chevy II? It looks a little too Euro to me.; January 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Virginia said...: The car looks so familiar but not quite. Guess you all will fill me in. Love the golden oldies color! Did anyone offer up a NOVA ?; January 8, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Kris McCracken said...: It looks like something for a noir film.

I like it!; January 8, 2009 at 8:08 PM
USelaine said...: I love glass brick. It's underutilized these days. Beautiful shot, Laurie.; January 8, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Leslie Saeta said...: Another great photo. Not sure why I shy away from trying to paint night photos ... maybe I need to finally give it a try!
I have lived in South Pas for twenty years and I never see these old cars around ... time to pay better attention!; January 8, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Leslie Saeta said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; January 8, 2009 at 10:20 PM
dbdubya said...: It's definitely a '63 Chevy II, perhaps a Nova model. In those days the Nova was the nicest version of the Chevy II. A few years later they dropped the Chevy II name and they all became Novas.

It was designed to have a 4 cylinder engine, but most came with a 6 cylinder. You could special order a V8 which was what I had in a '67 Chevy II. Scary fast - couldn't turn or stop, but it sure was fast in a straight line.; January 8, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Laurie Allee said...: Hi all!

I knew I could count on you to identify this 60s baby! I really can't explain why I seem to be the Pied Piper of old cars in South Pas. I found this one on a late night milk run -- once again, perfectly matching its surroundings like I have an art director setting up shots in my path. (Whoever you are, mysterious art director: thanks!)

Yak, you know I see a movie in every shot. I thought something similar when I was framing this.

Walker, thank you so much for such a nice compliment. Finding drama in the ordinary... I want that to be my personal slogan!

I appreciate the conversation, everyone. Til tomorrow...; January 9, 2009 at 1:13 AM