Art & Inspiration Traditional images that need no explanation.

Action south of the pier at the 1965 San Clemente Surf Capades. Photo: Courtesy of Dick Graham


Hello,

It was fun back in the old days to be allowed to drive out onto the local piers all up and down the California coastline. The feeling of being over water in a car was something else. Today, only a few in California remain open for actual driving out on the pier. Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara And Santa Monica come to mind.
SANTA CRUZ

The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is the longest wooden pier in California. It is also the longest over the Pacific Ocean. Not only could (can) you drive onto the pier, some allow parking at various spots along the edges over the deep water.

Santa Monica (HRM)
On rickety wooden planks from many years earlier make it all so “old time” happenings. There were more back in the early days, but weather, storms and city regulations all took their toll on “the autos on a pier” scenarios. Sure some days, there are woody shows on the smaller piers, but not your normal everyday drive out on the pier daily activity.


Santa Barbara Stearns Wharf:
looking toward one of the finest waves to come to shore, just at the end of the harbor jetty... Sandspit... and it does...

The initial photo shows San Clemente Pier back in 1964-65 and there are a ton of old cars sitting on the pier with their ringside seats for any viewing or especially if there was a big event going on below. Driving our station wagons/ hot rods out on the pier gave an accurate reading as to how the waves are shaping up. But, today, the closest one can get out on the pier is to bring a woody to the ocean related festivals and put it in a show on the pier.

Jnaki

The 1964-65 era was a transition period in surfing. The longboard era was fading as the newer style short boards were making inroads into the surf board manufacturing and contest scenes. By 1966-67, it was a short board era.

Old cars on a pier…what a concept.

 

Jack Lentz's Golden Rod ?

 

The Beach Boys.

 

Clark's desert boots.

 

Dean Lowery ?

 

I had the same thing happen to me when I was drag racing on the street in my '40 Chevy. I was 17yrs old in the '60's.

 

Warren Goodall from Australia.

 

Nick, that's Dean Lowe, unless he's changed his name in the last day or so.

Mick

 

A bit of throttle, kick the tail out, flip up the goggles and have a smoke.

 

Gold mine....

 

NO! They are not for sale! I'm going to restore them one day! Gene

 

The Blown Hearse

 

The “blown hearse” must of hauled Midgets! Lol!