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« Classic Clash Style | Rock ‘n’ Roll, Style & Soul
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Life in Los Angeles, circa 1938 | It’s always been about the car…

October 6, 2009 by JP

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“They say in L.A. there are only two methods of transportation-

car and ambulance.”

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–Unknown

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~*~

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Auto traffic on Wilshire Boulevard during rush hour with sign for the WESTLAKE THEATRE looming in the background --ca. 1938.

Auto traffic on Wilshire Boulevard during rush hour with sign for the WESTLAKE THEATRE looming in the background --ca. 1938.

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Service attendant pumping gasoline into Ford sedan as woman watches at gas pumps covered by the wing of a large permanently parked airplane, on Wilshire Boulevard --circa 1938.

Service attendant pumping gasoline into Ford sedan as woman watches at gas pumps covered by the wing of a large permanently parked airplane, on Wilshire Boulevard --circa 1938.

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Motorist in his car making a transaction at the drive up window of a bank --ca. 1938.

Motorist in his car making a transaction at the drive up window of a bank --ca. 1938.

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Muller Brothers Service Station's white uniformed attendents pumping gas & inflating tires on a fancy convertible while their uniformed African-Amer. conterparts wield rags as they polish the windshield & chrome --ca. 1938.

Muller Brothers Service Station's white uniformed attendents pumping gas & inflating tires on a fancy convertible while their uniformed African-Amer. conterparts wield rags as they polish the windshield & chrome --ca. 1938.

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Carhops busy with orders at a drive-in soda fountain --ca. 1938.

Carhops busy with orders at a drive-in soda fountain --ca. 1938.

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Carhop taking tray of dirty dishes off car window for passenger in car at drive-in soda fountain --ca. 1938.

Carhop taking tray of dirty dishes off car window for passenger in car at drive-in soda fountain --ca. 1938.

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Sign for the world's largest screen at entrance to DRIVE-IN THEATRE/ admission 35 cents a person --ca. 1938.

Sign for the world's largest screen at entrance to DRIVE-IN THEATRE/ admission 35 cents a person --ca. 1938.

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Posted in American, architecture, Auto, autos, history, LIFE archive, lifestyle, pop culture, style, vintage | Tagged 1930S, 1938, Auto, car, culture, LIFE, Los Angeles, photo, picture, vintage | 3 Comments

3 Responses

  1. on October 6, 2009 at 8:51 am Barima

    It seems much like a world away, as well as many lifetimes. There’s also a sense of real mobility (no pun intended)


  2. on October 7, 2009 at 11:28 am sorrentolens

    Wonderful post and great photos! Love the “airplane-gas station” – seems very California! Good luck.


  3. on October 16, 2009 at 2:18 pm STONER

    Dig that ’37 LaSalle at the gas station! Much as we despise L.A., there’s no denying that it’s arguably the cradle of car culture and these images prove it…NEAT.



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