Art & Inspiration Traditional images that need no explanation.

yeah-just get rid of it please...!

 

So thats what you get when a 16 year old kid with a fresh driving license takes over moms stationwagon.

 

Sherman Gardens Collection

Hello,

Sherman Gardens sounds like a nursery along the coast. Well, it is all three in their own way. It is a combination of a nice relaxing complex of gardens, a nursery/library and it is located in a very popular coastal city that was once our long distance drive-in restaurant destination of choice, Merle’s Drive-in Restaurant. The drive-in was “THE” hangout during Summers and always during (Easter Vacation) “Spring Break.”
cruising time... thanks to @themoose

We also used to cruise by in the 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery every time we made the 60+ mile one way jaunt to South Orange County for the pristine waves and cool beach attractions. Back then, we had to slow down in the same area of Coast Highway, as the old bottleneck traffic location in Corona Del Mar was upon us. Even though we just made a pit stop up the street, at the liquor store/market for some snacks and goodies, the traffic was still slow then and today.

Located in Corona Del Mar, the Merle’s Drive In Restaurant is now gone, replaced by one of a different kind of restaurant. But, just down the street, the Sherman Gardens is still standing.

“…The Sherman Library & Gardens is a monument to a dream of an educational and cultural center: a premier botanical garden and outstanding research library with collections related to the history of the Pacific Southwest…”

It is not a place like an ordinary library or garden nursery. But, it is tranquil, a moment of peace just inside the complex, while the world rushes to all points South/North outside on PCH. Luckily, there is always a “slow down” in this portion of the Coast Highway, so one can see the outside and grounds from any passing vehicle.

Jnaki

In 1953, the barren hillsides just up the PCH was the location of the U.S. Boy Scouts International Jamboree, the first one in So Cal. The area was relatively open fields and sloping valleys leading to the harbor waters. Compared to todays conglomeration of buildings, stores and strange traffic patterns, the empty hills, valleys and a relatively empty PCH up to the city area was a definite contrast.
Boy Scout Jamboree 1953 Sherman Gardens Collection
Today, it is a series of houses, office buildings and a myriad of crazy roads as far as the eye can see.

We attended the Jamboree as first time Boy Scouts and had a great time camping out on the same location as these days, it is called the “Newport Center.”

As fledgling Boy Scouts, we loved hiking and camping out with our backpacks full. But, for the thousands of parents, even as young as they were, the biggest complaint was the steep uphill climb from the 50s car parking area to the actual assembly and campground area.

Remember, it was empty valleys, hillsides and the whole area had a walking dirt road carved into the location. The rewards were that the view of the surrounding area was priceless. From a 360 degree ocean view, North to San Pedro/LA, to South San Diego Coast, to the San Bernardino Mountains and East to the dry deserts, it was a wonderful country side location for everyone.

“Newport Center is a business, shopping, and entertainment district located on a high bluff overlooking Newport Harbor in Newport Beach, California, centered around the Fashion Island regional shopping mall. It was created in the early 1960s as part of the master plan for the Irvine Ranch. Newport Center was created as the unofficial "downtown" of the Irvine Ranch, which at the time extended all the way down to Pacific Coast Highway.”

 

The actual CHP cars were 1955 Centuries, this is a 1956 Special used in the TV show.
An interesting note is that Buick did not make a Century 2dr sedan, only hardtop. So, Buick used Special 2dr sedan bodies , the Century 322ci engine and larger Roadmaster brakes on the CHP cars. Factory hot rods if you will.

 

East coast rake.

 

Rod restyling cover by 32FordWoody posted Oct 1, 2022 at 12:08 AM

59 center fold by 32FordWoody posted Oct 1, 2022 at 12:08 AM

65 centerfold by 32FordWoody posted Oct 1, 2022 at 12:08 AM

Rod restyling center fold by 32FordWoody posted Oct 1, 2022 at 12:08 AM

Rodding & restyling Nov 1955 by 32FordWoody posted Oct 1, 2022 at 12:08 AM

1932 ford woody wagon - John good by 32FordWoody posted Oct 6, 2022 at 12:32 AM

1932 ford woody wagon - John good by 32FordWoody posted Oct 6, 2022 at 12:32 AM

1956 Woodbine New Jersey race by 32FordWoody posted Oct 4, 2022 at 1:20 PM

- by 32FordWoody posted Oct 1, 2022 at 12:08 AM

Feature photo in rod builder & customizer July 1957 by 32FordWoody posted Oct 1, 2022 at 12:08 AM

Customization after John Good by 32FordWoody posted Oct 1, 2022 at 12:08 AM

1932 ford woody wagon - John good by 32FordWoody posted Oct 6, 2022 at 12:32 AM

1932 ford woody wagon - John good by 32FordWoody posted Oct 6, 2022 at 12:32 AM

 

try this first. Mercury also did a promotional film on the 1957 "mermaid " and stock car race team

 

This ‘33 looks to be Australian and powered by a Y-block, not that there’s any wrong with that. Actually I’m wondering about the front wheels, are they steel or cast aluminum?

 

Sure is a Aussie coupe. The fourdoor sedan roof/rear window behind the coupe is a 1965/67 Holden HD/HR .