Sorry if this is too off-topic... Im going to be moving to LA in the next week or so. Im looking forward to meeting some ppl down there, and also, I ***ume its long gone now, but does anyone have an info or pictures of the GM truck factory in LA from the 50s? I know my '57 Chevy was built in LA, according to the VIN, just wondering where its birth place might physically be... Thanks.
Going way back there were two other GM plants in the LA area. One was Southgate, and I do not remember the other one. Also there was the old Oakland ***embly plant in the San Fran area.
Well, damn. I was hoping I could find the old factory. Anyone have any other ideas for cool vintage places to go and see? Initially, Ill have a lot of time on my hands to kill after the 1st of March.. so Id like to find a reason to venture out of the apartment (and my project hot rods are over 300 miles away)
For now, we are in a studio in LA proper, just 4 blocks from the Staples Center. Once I find myself a new job though, we will be looking for a bigger place. This was the best we could do within budget at the time, in the 2 days we had to find a place before the girlfriend started her new job there. (shes able to walk to work now, a whole 4 minute commute)
Check the HAMB thread Re: The History of Los Angeles. It has lots of photos of historic buildings, locations, etc., many of which still exist. The downtown Los Angeles area has many beautiful old buildings that are being preserved that are within walking distance of your new home. You are in an area that is quickly becoming "the place to be" with lots of lofts, condos, apartments, clubs, shops, restaurants, etc. opening. The news for auto related historic places is not so good. As earlier reported, the GM plant in Van Nuys was partially repurposed as a shopping mall. Over the years, there were 9 or 10 auto ***embly plants in Los Angeles but the GM location is the only one that wasn't torn down. There are some excellent auto museums to visit, such as the Peterson at Wilshire Blvd. and Fairfax, the Nethercutt in Sylmar, the NHRA Wally Parks Museum at the L.A. County Fairplex and Justice Bros. (auto chemicals, etc.) has a nice little free museum at their offices in Duarte. If you like really high-end car collections, visit the Mullin collection in Oxnard (bit of a long drive, but worth it if that's your thing).
since you are where you are, check out the petersen museum on wilshire, the old iskendarian building is in culver city, there is a TON of other cool stuff... but i'll let the guys chime in. i will however recommend a killer little restaurant right down the street from you. La 27 Restaurante Nicaraguense 1830 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90189 its just up the road. order the 'fritanga' and a chilla con limon. then come to our show on june 1 facebook.com/rodandkustombbq
The Jalopy Journal
