Looking at used cars in 1950 Los Angeles, California

When I first glanced at this image, which is from the Duke University site, my eye immediately went to the cars in the foreground, which look to be all from the 1930s. And then I took a closer look at it, and realized that I was looking at a used car lot. Parking has always been tight in Los Angeles, but not that tight. That's not a parking lot, that's how cars are parked when mostly people are walking around kicking tires. And if someone wants to go for a test drive, someone on the lot moves the cars out of the way. 

My top history adventurer (who prefers to remain anonymous) was kind enough to precisely identify the location, by finding an old ad for the C and F Food Market, which was at 603 W. Manchester. That means that you're looking west on Manchester towards Avalon. As far as I can tell, the same building is still there, although it's been updated, and the building across Avalon still looks pretty much the same. I think it's an elementary school. Update: see comment below - It's an elementary school, called South Park (Manchester and Avalon).

The date on the Duke site says "February 20, 1950" and I'm gonna agree with it. I'm always suspicious about dates that say stuff like "circa 1920s-1970" but when I see an exact date I figure that it was written on the back of the photo. I mean, who would estimate February 20?


So, it's 1950, and we're in Los Angeles. Let's look at the used cars! I don't know enough about this particular vintage, so if you recognize makes and models please let me know, and I'll update the post. I'll tell you what I do know, based on what I've been learning about the war years of the 1940s: if they were purchased fairly soon before 1941, they would have low miles on them. During the war years people in the U.S. just didn't drive that much - gas was rationed, tires were rationed. Yes, of course the used car dealer would go to the basic business precaution of turning back the odometers, but my point is that they didn't need to be turned back very far.

I don't know about you, but I like 'em all. And since we're time-travelers from the 21st Century, we can buy them with ease. I can just imagine the salesman, maybe a big guy with a cigar, nearly jumping out of his socks when we flash twenty dollar bills like they were nothin'.

By the way, note the sign that gives distances. I tend to think of this whole area as Los Angeles, but apparently you were seven miles away from it. There's also directions to Inglewood, and Wilmington.

OK, if we're done looking at used cars, we can go get some ice cream at the Avalon Boulevard Pharmacy. You can get some Challenge milk at the C and F Food Market, then maybe go to the Ada Marie Beauty Shop. I'll take my dry cleaning to DeLux Cleaners. Not sure what type of doctor Edwin Lund is, maybe a chiropractor.

And yes, I know you've been wondering about the billboard. It's the reason this photo was taken, as a record for the advertiser that their message was there and visible. I wonder if Old Stagg is still available? I'm more of a Wilson Whiskey person. I guess it would be OK, being from Kentucky.

No, none for me, thanks. I know that this is 1950, and that drunk driving laws are much more lax than in the 21st Century, but I want to get my classic 1930s car home in one piece. 

Thanks for visiting LA in 1950 with me!

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Comments

  1. Harold WeltonJanuary 29, 2022 at 12:41 PM

    Hi,
    Thats is an elementary school, called South Park(Manchester and Avalon). I started the school in September 1957. In the photo, across the street, the 2nd store use to sell pigeons,(friends and use to buy from the store).Thank You!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brad HallJanuary 29, 2022 at 6:38 PM

      Thank you so much! I've updated the post - Brad

      Delete

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