Vintage shots from days gone by!

The chevy was my fathers(1972), and the aero-ace was my grandpa's(1958).

 

Back in the day - I had a camera - I had film - but never took random pictures -- my feeling was "why photograph something that will always be there forever?" - youth wasted on the young...

 

Picture intrigued me, had to find more info!
A lion, a sidecar and a wall of death

March 16, 2009<!-- by circa71 --> · 1 Comment

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Via: Sidecar Pete’s
This great old image struck my fancy and after a bit of searching I was able to find a bit of info associated with this photo which was thought to have been taken circa 1929 in Revere Beach, MA and provides a historical reference for one of America’s craziest professions—the sideshow lion drome daredevil.

Via: Jay Lightning’ & the American Motor Drome
These type of “Wall of Death” or Thrillarena exhibitions were an amazing draw for the carnival, circus and traveling sideshows of the early to mid 1920’s. Called motor dromes—they came in all shapes, sizes and configurations. Set against the cheers and screams of fans and a busy depression era midway, many of these acts were performed on 90 degree (straight up and down) wooden barrel board walls, others were fully enclosed within steel and iron cages. None of which offered the riders any protection against injury, in the case of a wreck, or from being attacked by the animals used in the acts. Promoters of all sorts hurried to sign daredevils who were capable of both marveling the crowds with their death-defying driving skills and taming the wild beasts used in the shows.

The Looping Nixies Globe of Death Via: Thrillarena

 

Wow! I love the last shot.Now women employees complain if they have to wear a uniform or have to iron their shirt or cant show their thong at work.

 

thats back when there was a thing called "customer service"

 

Was this theater in Portland?Ours was the same.going to the movies was such a special thing.Now its like going to a big expensive tv room.

 

fantastic photos...keep um coming

 

You are not mistaken.

 

This is GREAT stuff. Thanks for the history lesson.
Here's my two-cents worth.

 

This is my great grandfather (2nd from left) at the pontiac garage in the late 30s early 40s

 

1961 Big Bear, CA

 

I think that is Teddy Kennedy taking an early test drive...

 

1951