Reynolds Buick in Kodachrome, 1971

I got a note from my old friend Don Reynolds the other day. He's winding down a busy year celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Reynolds Buick, the store his grandfather opened in Covina, CA in 1915. It's always a pleasure to hear from Don because of his love of history, and the latest missive was no disappointment because he included a treasure trove of images from his Father's desk.

The images are all from 1971 and represent a history book of what a prosperous automobile dealership looked like in the early 70s, preserved in Kodachrome. The building itself was only six years old at the time, and is resplendent with colorful pennants and a bevy of brand new Buicks- with a heavy emphasis on luxury models and boattail Rivieras.

The photos also happen to date from what Don a called the "Jaguar phase," so there are XJ saloons and E-Types -one with genuine wire wheels even- in the photos as well. Apparently Reynolds was a big Opel dealer too, with several Opels in for service including what looks like a 1959 wagon.

It's a glorious scrapbook of new Buicks and Opels, a peppering of Jaguars, enticing late model used cars, a GMC with a pop-up camper and even a dune buggy on the used car lot- because it's Southern California after all. There's even a Firestone tire store next door with a vivid red sign.

In never before seen Kodachrome, here's Reynolds Buick of West Covina, Califiornia in 1971:













































All images courtesy of Don Reynolds/ Reynolds Buick

Casa de Cadillac from 1949 to 1966

by Jeff Stork



 I had a whole reel of historic photos of Casa de Cadillac in Sherman Oaks, CA that were taken between 1949 and 1966 when it was owned by Martin Pollard. He also owned the Casa de Cascade Car Wash and the Casa de Petrol gas station.

Amnazingly, all of the buildings are still standing although no longer under a single owner, the gas station is now a flower shop and Casa de Cadillac, still in business, has been restored in a respectful manner. Enjoy:

Chicago Style- That 70s Auto Show

1971 Chevrolet Display

 The Chicago Auto Show Press Days concluded this week, with the show opening to the public tomorrow. The very thought of it made me shudder- remembering the brutal winter cold and sudden snowstorms that I encountered working it back in the 80s and 90s. There was always a freak winter blizzard somewhere during the show's run. Not quite the thing of which nostalgia is made.

But all hope is not lost- the CATA, which runs the show, maintains an excellent website with a marvelous historical photo file that goes back decades, so not only can you browse the show from the comforts of home, you can also select a time when new cars were actually interesting and when you could tell them apart.

I've chosen the decade of the seventies, because the cars were wild and colorful and the photos are in color. Each of the photos merits study- they're chock full of special cars and rare models. And the colors are amazing. So grab your platform shoes, but the Bee Gees in the 8-Track and turn on the disco ball- we're going to that 70s Auto Show, and we're doing it Chicago Style:

Pontiac for 1972

1973 Ford Display

Cadillac for 1974

GMC Motor Homes for 1974

AMC for 1975 including the new Pacer

1975 Buick Indy Pace Car

Lincoln display for 1975

Buick for 1976 including another Indy Pace Car

Porsche/ Audi for 1977

Chevrolet for 1977

1977 Plymouth Arrow display

1977 Ford Cruising Van and Pinto Crusing Wagon

The downsized 1977 Thunderbird

AMC's Grand Pacer of 1978

AMC Gremlins of 1978

Cadillac for 1979

The all new 1979 Riviera S-Type

Chevrolet for 1979, with Chevette on the turntable