Hello, Our dad used to fish off of the pier when he was a young kid. Then when we moved to Long Beach the late 40s, he took us to that version of the Rainbow Pier. It was an extension of the city streets and the only circular pier with a drivable roadway built in place. It was fun to drive around and look out as if we were out in the ocean. The salt water was also inside of the lagoon and later, the city allowed powered motor boats to be rented for family fun all around the enclosed lagoon. No worries about any ocean waves, as it was calm waters. Our mom even liked the smooth waters of the lagoon and the fresh salt air, even when the two young brothers were driving the boats. But as the years roll on and the future of the city changes, the lagoon got filled in and now a giant park area as well as other construction took place. The circular pier was too costly with maintenance from salt water incursion and rotting wood. So, the teenage cruising road was gone and in its place was a shoreline drive and parking lots . Jnaki In the center of the lagoon/Rainbow Pier photo is the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium. It was home to concerts for the old folks and shows for the family. Then as we got to be teenagers, they allowed the early custom cars/ hot rods to have their car shows and displays. As the popularity became to the fore front, the custom motorcycles were also allowed to be a part of the car shows. YRMV By 1962, the new large Sports Arena was built next to the old Municipal Auditorium and was connected by a glass enclosed walkway. We were supposed to graduate in the newly constructed Sports Arena. That would have cool. But we ended up in history as the last LB Poly HS class to graduate from the old Municipal Auditorium. All of the pomp and circumstance plus the cat whistles for our friends who walked onto the long stage to their seats. The administrators were not happy, but, everyone else was! Ha! Note: For the 2028 L.A. Olympics, some of the events will be held right out in front of the Sports Arena area. Especially the windsurfing and kiteboarding. The regular sailboat races will be just up the coastal waters in San Pedro/Los Angeles Harbor area where it is called “Hurricane Gulch.”
Bob Bondurant in a Ford GT40 at the 1965 Daytona Continental endurance race. He and teammate Richie Ginther finished third overall. Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby won the race in another GT40.
Memo Ortega's 1952 Oldsmobile that he built for himself in the late 1950's. Memo painted the Olds white pearl with outlines and panels in candy green and candy purple. "It looked really wild."
Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Doris Day and Roger Maris. 20 year old Stan Musial during his rookie season in 1941 with the Cardinals. Musial was called up to the Major Leagues on September 17, 1941. In his limited appearances during the 1941 season, he put up impressive numbers, slashing .426/.449/.574 in 47 at-bats.
A young soldier gets his throat sprayed in a tent at Love Field in Dallas, 1918. This was part of the campaign to stop the spread of the Spanish Flu, which killed between 17-50 million people worldwide
In 1965, Ford unveiled the "wrist twist" steering system—offering improved visibility, a more spacious cabin, and the comfort of driving with arms on the armrests. Despite its innovations, it never advanced beyond the testing phase.
The Jalopy Journal
