Thursday, April 9, 2009

Hot Wheels

There has been a lot of chatter lately about how to rescue the automobile industry. Here's an idea: start making them like this again! I've loved discovering all the cool rides in my old cars of South Pas series, but the shiny, robin's egg blue dreamboat in this photo actually makes me drool with car envy. Pretty sweet, isn't she? (Take it away, Beach Boys...)

20 comments:

Sharon said...

Another great find! It looks like it's in great condition too.

Dixie Jane said...

To all you car aficionados. I wouldn't pretend to be in your league but I do remember that we once had an aqua blue Chevrolet station wagon with fins like that. I think it was a 1957. Set me straight on this.

Judy Williams said...

Yep, that is a 57 Belair sedan. The coupes and wagons are more common but you can't beat the look with the white on the back fender. I love how this whole image 'matches' with the blue of the sky, the vivid blue of the car and the gray blue of the house, framed by the beautiful cool green trees.

I hope you can hear this:

ZZ Top's Chevrolet

dbdubya said...

Dixie Jane is correct. That's a cool '57 Chevrolet, one of their best years. I believe it's a Bel Air. My mother had a '56 Bel Air station wagon. Two doors and very rare. Wish I had it now in the condition of this one. Nice find, Laurie.

Leslie Saeta said...

I love the "almost" matching house and car colors! This should be a requirement for all automobile owners!

Yakpate said...

What I love about this photo, in addition to the electric blue car, is the angle of the dappled shade. It looks cool. It looks like morning. It makes me think the engine of that car is still hot, after the driver pulled up after a night of adventures and went inside to... well, crash.

Anonymous said...

there's a car like this in Altadena, but it's sorter the "before" version.

Vanda said...

Fortunately there are a lot of beautiful old cars around in this town. Burbank has couple of old car shows a year.

I like your idea about resurrecting old car designs. The mini cooper and the beetle did quite well after all. The only catch is they would have to make them to be fuel efficient and low pollution. That seems to be the sticky point.

Wayne said...

I guess that was the beginning of the 'fin' period in car design. It got a little crazy for a couple of years after that especially over at Chrysler.

I saw a really nice Studebaker convertible going down the street the other day but they don't stand still for me like they do for Laurie.

San Diego Farmgirl said...

Why do so many people park their classic cars on the street? I suppose they're out visiting, surely they don't leave them there and keep the Excalade in the garage ...

Judy: We've been listening to a lot of ZZ Top here lately, great song!

Virginia said...

Yep I'm going with 1957 too. We had a mint green/white one just like that. Thanks for that sweet memory L. Are you a car magnet or what???
V

Ashley said...

The shadows of the jacaranda tree branches on everything...makes me want to be there so bad!

Ken Mac said...

we owned one of these when I was like...5. One day rounding a corner the door flew open, and I barely hung on. My sister almost pushed me out!

Mister Earl said...

The '57 Chevy is one of the quintessential classic cars.

Word verification is half the fun!!

Tash said...

I'd like a ride like that. And a house like that. Wonderful find once again Laurie. Did I tell you that my son is interested in getting an old car when he starts driving in 1 1/2 years (??? - not possible) - I think he means the muscle cars of the 60's/70's but I'm not sure.

Laurie Allee said...

Hi everyone,

I'm so glad not to see a foot long comment in Chinese. (Spammers... doh!)

Thanks, car buffs, for letting me know what make and model this is. I knew I could count on all of you.

Tash... your son driving! Gulp! I know that my little one will be there before I realize it.

Ken, I'm so glad you didn't meet your end at the hands of a 57 Chevy.

Vanda, I really think the US automakers could put a fuel efficient engine in a gorgeous eye candy body. Wouldn't it be great? I'm a huge believer in mass transit -- more light rail, less congestion, all that stuff. And then I see a car like this and I hear "See the USA in your Chevrolet" playing in my head. :-)

As for all these shots where the cars match the houses and there are no other cars in sight. I just want to thank my cosmic art director, whoever he/she may be. I keep thinking I've seen the last of them and then I stumble upon one more. It's pretty cool.

I've been feeling under the weather and I'm behind on my email so bear with me, any and all who have written in the last couple of days. I'll catch up tomorrow. In fact, I'll sign off now and try to get some sleep. Until tomorrow!

Virginia said...

I found it!! Last night I found an old photo of yours truly all decked out in Easter finery standing beside our 57 Chevy. Why did our parents feel compelled to photograph us in front of the family car???? If I can get a decent snap of it I'll post it tomorrow.
V

Fabrizio Zanelli said...

What I would love most? To drive a 1959 pink Thunderbird... This is at the top of my wishlist

dbdubya said...

Fabrizio - I had a teacher in High School named Aido Buonaguidi who drove a 1956 pink Thunderbird. I wonder why Italians like pink T-Birds. It was a cool car.

Anonymous said...

Waaaw really amazing to see this..great photos..

This is pretty interesting...

Thanks for sharing..
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