Category Archives: Freeways

Found on EBay — Duesenberg Engine

An engine and other assorted parts (headlights, gauges, radiator shell, etc.) for a Duesenberg have been listed on EBay. Bidding starts at $99,999. 

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Burbank Installs Time Capsule; Wilt Chamberlain Debuts in L.A., February 1, 1959

The people living in 1959 had noble expectations for Burbank: Atomic power! Monorails! I wonder if anyone plans to actually pop it open this week. This is the bridge that spans the Golden State Freeway, the railroad tracks and the … Continue reading

Posted in Freeways, Front Pages, San Fernando Valley, Sports, Transportation | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — 1959 Thomas Guide.

Another vintage Thomas Guide has been listed on EBay. This one is from 1959. Bidding starts at $9.95.

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Black Lakers players barred from white hotel, January 17, 1959

The Times reports that detention facilities for juvenile girls is badly overcrowded but doesn’t really address the reason, merely saying that the rapid increase in Southern California’s population and lack of room at state facilities are to blame. But why … Continue reading

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Environment, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Nightclubs, Sports | 1 Comment

Paul Coates — Confidential File, January 16, 1959

CONFIDENTIAL FILE Someday, Butch H., Try to Be Forgiving Some stories I’d rather not print. And when I first heard about what a bunch of grown men and women were doing to a kid named Butch Harris, I filed the … Continue reading

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Matt Weinstock — January 15, 1959

Frontier Pusher-Back To newsman John Cornell goes a silent roll of drums, a bugle call and maybe a flag-raising for alertness above and beyond the call of routine. John was banging out a rewrite about Les White, Southland auto dealer, … Continue reading

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Matt Weinstock — January 13, 1959

Losing Battle Perhaps you’ve noticed that a Data Card for Highway Planning came along with your auto registration renewal. Well, a Van Nuysian (or should it be a Van Nuyser?), who felt it was an invasion of his privacy, at … Continue reading

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Found on EBay — 1956 Thomas Bros. Guide

A 1956 Thomas Bros. Guide for Los Angeles and Orange counties has turned up on EBay. These are useful for anyone interested in Los Angeles history. Bidding starts at $13.99.    

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Matt Weinstock — January 7, 1959

News From Detroit A group of grimly playful fellows at SC who call themselves Asthmatics Anonymous advise that at a raw-lunged meeting in the basement which serves as headquarters they have regrouped as Asthmatics Militant. First move was to change … Continue reading

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Found on EBay — 1945 Thomas Guide.

A 1945 Thomas Bros. Guide has turned up on EBay. These vintage maps are always useful for people interested in Los Angeles history and there’s a motley collection of them at the Daily Mirror HQ. Bidding starts at $9.99.

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‘Pretty Woman’ car for sale

  The 1989 Lotus Esprit driven by Richard Gere in "Pretty Woman" is being offered in Hemmings Motor News for $54,998.

Posted in Film, Freeways, Hollywood, Transportation | 1 Comment

Paul Coates — Confidential File, January 2, 1959

Puts Ego Factor Into Poll  Paul Coates Tries Out New Survey-Taking Theory Now don’t misunderstand me.    I’m not looking to start anything with Mr. Gallup. There’s enough petty bickering going on around here without us getting into a hassle. … Continue reading

Posted in Columnists, Freeways, Paul Coates, Transportation | 1 Comment

Retro holiday gift — 1951 Thomas Bros. Guide

The old Thomas Bros. maps (yes, the Daily Mirror HQ has a motley collection) are handy for anyone interested in Los Angeles history. This one is listed on EBay.

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Stunt man dies in John Wayne film, December 6, 1958

  File this under quaint notions of the 1950s: Highway officials taking control of speeding cars and forcing them to slow down. U.S. moon launch fails. http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/k6UQe8Upiz1lVusxuj&related=1&canvas=mediumTHE HORSE SOLDIERS TRAILER At left, stuntman Fred Kennedy is killed when he takes … Continue reading

Posted in classical music, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Music, Obituaries, Sports, Stage, Transportation | 1 Comment

Officials turn away football crowds at Coliseum, November 3, 1958

Look beyond the nostalgia factor in this film produced for Studebaker dealers. Listen to the comments. The Studebaker Lark was, according to this film, intended to give consumers what they wanted: a low-priced, fuel economy car. We know today, of … Continue reading

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Los Angeles County supervisors divert money for Dodger Stadium roads, September 24, 1958

Chavez Ravine funds go elsewhere County money intended to build roads into Dodger Stadium will be diverted to other projects. Wait a minute! IMDB says this is W.R. Burnett’s "Asphalt Jungle" turned into a western.  By Keith Thursby Times staff … Continue reading

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Fire closes Ventura Freeway; milestone for Rams star, September 23, 1968

Above, a fire closes the Ventura Freeway from Camarillo to Woodland Hills. By Keith Thursby Times staff writer Dick Bass, a three-time Pro Bowl running back who played for the Rams from 1960-69, scored three touchdowns and became the 12th … Continue reading

Posted in broadcasting, Freeways, Front Pages, Sports, Television, Transportation | 1 Comment

Los Angeles history — car designer

The tail fin era General Motors designer Chuck Jordan visits Los Angeles to encourage young car nuts to pursue their dreams. His advice: ‘Start as bold as you can…. If you don’t start out ambitious enough, it will be drained … Continue reading

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Los Angeles on smog alert, Braves win against Cards, September 19, 1958

Los Angeles urged to drive less and reduce smog  Ozone levels in the region reach 0.53 per million, which would be a Stage 3 alert in 2008.    The "Mating Urge," in "flaming color." Imdb says this wasn’t released until … Continue reading

Posted in @news, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Environment, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Science, Sports | 1 Comment

August 25, 1958: Jealous husband rams movie star’s car, Reds win over Dodgers

Some folks may find this hard to believe, but drivers were complaining about bad traffic in Los Angeles 50 years ago. I can’t say it often enough: History shows that congested streets have been a problem in Los Angeles for … Continue reading

Posted in Dodgers, Film, Freeways, Front Pages, Hollywood, Transportation | 3 Comments