Hello, The original Taco Bell Restaurant was located in Downey,CA it did well from the beginning. But, then after the successful run of other locations, the original shut down. Preservationists, including some upper echelon folks at Taco Bell headquarters decided to save the original from the wrecking ball. So, it made the trip to Irvine, CA to the headquarters for safe keeping until things could be decided for its future. The funny thing is our family has a connection to the Taco Bell company. When our son was getting ready to drive and finally got his license, we were on the hunt for a nice car for him. (a 1961 Comet with 15k miles driven by an old lady in our neighborhood played well in my mind. Low cost, low insurance and only 15k miles. A 30 year old car had been used 500 miles per year, just like my own mom’s personal car… but, he did not want it.) We found a sporty sedan driven by a “20 something girl” from Texas. She had purchased it new and with her new job in Irvine, she did not need two cars. The company, Taco Bell, gave her a new BMW as a part of being a vice president of a division. So, we were the recipients of a 17k mile sporty sedan with 140 hp, a 5 speed transmission, and a special factory limited slip gearing. (And… Texas sized hail ball dents in the hood!!! ) The car was well maintained and lasted our son for over 100k miles of driving all over So Cal. It lasted him from high school all through college and beyond. Now, many years later, it resides at a friend’s house in Northern California and is still running after 20 plus years of ownership. After our son got his next car, he sold his "Taco Bell" connected sporty sedan to his friend for $1.00. It was one of those "pay it forward" moments and our son felt good about it. Jnaki So, TACO BELL #1 is now in Irvine, CA and guess where Taco Bell #2 is located? It is located about three blocks from our last Westside of Long Beach house on a busy intersection since we were in high school. In 2019 after the set up days at the newest Lion’s Dragstrip museum complex, I drove by the Taco Bell #2 and it was crowded as it always is since those beginning days. Only, I was not driving around in a Flathead powered sedan delivery or a black 58 Impala. Taco Bell #1 ready for a vacation move… On the move from the original location in Downey to Irvine, CA late at night... Home for now... to be installed next to the mother company building.
When stationed at MCAS Yuma, we would drink until 2:00 AM in Yuma, drive across the border, where the time zone changed, and drink for another hour in Winterhaven.
That picture could have been of three of my goofy Aunts! They were always clowning around like that... great memories!
The Jalopy Journal
