Mike Salta Pontiac of Long Beach on American Ave, then Long Beach Blvd. The used car parking lots were close to the Kentucky Fried Chicken store nearby on Orange Avenue. It was one of three in the general area between our high school and Bixby Knolls. One was right around the corner on Willow Street and Long Beach Blvd. But, another one advertised was on Orange Avenue several blocks East. Orange Avenue was a direct route from our high school backsides to eastern Bixby Knolls. The funny thing was/is that older lady looked like our economics teacher in our 12th grade year. She was a tough one and would not let anyone slide for missing homework or tests makeups. No, she did not wear those striped pants to school work. The strict rule for teachers was a full length dress or skirts, definitely no pants for women. Except for “Fun Fridays” or “sports days,” during the year. Hello, “Long Beach Boulevard has a long and winding history. Nestled in the center of Downtown Long Beach, the boulevard was once known as American Avenue until 1959, when the City of Long Beach changed its street signs to reflect the name of our city. For years, Long Beach Boulevard was home to many car dealerships, but change occurred decades later, and many of these dealerships left the city for Signal Hill which put together an aggressive plan to capture the lucrative automobile industry.” I was a 17 year old junior in high school, I was looking for an afterschool job. Everyday, we drove by the myriad of car dealerships lining the long street called American Avenue until 1959. The old name changed over to Long Beach Boulevard. The city felt it was more inline with the city image and functioning. Even though it went past the city limits into the neighboring cities of Compton, Lynwood, South Gate, ending up on Cudhay Street in the City of Huntington Park, where it turns into Pacific Boulevard. How is that for influencing other cities with your own city name? The large lot was within two blocks of our high school. We had one friend that bought a new 61 Pontiac from this dealer. So, I thought it was a natural for me to go over after school to try and get a job. We had gone over the Pontiac for all of the details and functioning of the accessories. I knew that sedan quite well. So, I thought the knowledge was going to be impressive to the sales manager. I did not want to work in the mechanics/repair shop. I wanted to sell Pontiacs. My interview with the manager went smoothly and I presented myself quite well. He was impressed with my answers to all of his “Pontiac” questions (studied like a high school test) and my overall information/experience with building hot rods/drag race cars. We walked out to the lot and he was showing me the new line up and also the used cars. I knew about most of them and was racking up points for a successful interview. Jnaki We went back inside and sat down for the final review. He told me that after talking to other sales people, I would not fit in. Why? I would be the only 17 year old teenager on a lot full of older sales guys. My knowledge far surpassed the tests and most of the other older salesmen’s knowledge level. That was a key point. A young kid that was more knowledgeable than the “experienced” car sales people walking around the lot, every day. I still had a year to go for graduation, but could work the afternoon to closing shifts, if necessary, right then. But, the manager said he was sorry to have such a knowledgeable teenager leave, but I just would not fit in with the older sales staff. He offered me a job of delivery prep and delivery of cars to other “trade” dealers. But I said thanks, but no thanks. Note: While in college in Northern California, namely San Jose State College, I lived about a block away from the campus. I was ok with the curriculum and I decided that I had lots of extra time to run, play games and drive around the area. So, to pick up some extra cash, a friend in our college apartment building needed someone to assist him in car dealer prep and deliveries. We were to go to the far away dealer in the S.F. Bay area in a new car off of the dealer’s lot. Then exchange it for another new dealer car from their lot to be driven home. $25 dollars plus a free lunch. A “NO” in high school turned into a “YES” in college. The cool thing is/was the return car was a Pontiac hardtop with an optioned 4 speed. YRMV
The Jalopy Journal
