SAAC Forum

Thank you SFM66H and George Watters for the clarification!

We lost the equivalent to the Shelby Library of Congress with 1.0 meltdown. 

At least we are all contributing to get it somewhat back to shape in 2.0.

Classy!

Same address?

Thanks to a paper item that Vern offered for sale a while ago, we know that S-A had an office at 8405 Pershing Dr, Playa del Rey, CA 90291.  It is close to the backside of LAX. (I will post a pix of that paper item as soon as the SAAC server allows photo uploads again.)

I know quite a bit about that area, as we lived within a couple blocks of that address in 1961.  Of course, Shelby wasn't likely occupying it that early in S-A history time.  Also, the fact that there is a zip code in the address means it was no earlier than July 1963 (when zip codes began.)

Would be really fun to know where Carroll lived during that time.  The Playa del Rey area was very nice and overlooked the ocean.

Here's a pix and map:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/8405+Pershing+Dr,+Playa+Del+Rey,+CA+90293/@33.9572871,-118.442991,3a,75y,230.88h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1YZSN6e1rgmUeYILjRKPCQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2b06084f14fe1:0xd59f6a959afa5338!8m2!3d33.9570879!4d-118.4432657

Directions from 8405 Pershing to 6501 W. Imperial.  Less than 4 miles.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/8405+Pershing+Dr,+Playa+Del+Rey,+CA+90293/6501+West+Imperial+Highway,+El+Segundo,+CA/@33.9440259,-118.4372578,14z/am=t/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2b06084f14fe1:0xd59f6a959afa5338!2m2!1d-118.4432657!2d33.9570879!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2b13120295fb5:0x7bcde969f594a3a6!2m2!1d-118.401614!2d33.9324982!3e0

I thought there was a different S-A office (or something to do with Shelby) for a short time on Sepulveda just south of Imperial Blvd. That would go along with 98SVT's recollection.

Like around here...see map link:
909 N. Pacific Coast Highway, in the city of El Segundo. (Not saying this is correct, just suggesting an area it might have been in.)

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9297193,-118.3952934,126a,35y,266.44h,45t/data=!3m1!1e3

Here's what's at 901 N. Sepulveda Blvd today: A strip mall.  It is in Manhattan Beach, not LA, and is about 4 miles from 6501 W. Imperial. 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/901+N+Sepulveda+Blvd,+Manhattan+Beach,+CA+90266/@33.8849043,-118.3960536,3a,60.5y,278.57h,85.42t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sLU7LwZNbzZ8DI1G5LI9-eg!2e0!3e11!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2b38b19bae92b:0xc37129f790647034!8m2!3d33.8848034!4d-118.396435

Directions from 6501 W. Imperial to 901 N. Sepulveda:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/6501+W+Imperial+Hwy,+El+Segundo,+CA+90245/901+N+Sepulveda+Blvd,+Manhattan+Beach,+CA+90266/@33.908601,-118.4332652,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2b13120295fb5:0x7bcde969f594a3a6!2m2!1d-118.401614!2d33.9324982!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2b38b19bae92b:0xc37129f790647034!2m2!1d-118.396435!2d33.8848034!3e0

Man, imagine that thing at 6000 rpm!    Talk about a wild ride!

Great info, thanks!  I knew about the other office on Sepulveda, but not the other things you mentioned.

My dad worked at Hughes Aircraft too, and had several work friends with hot Mustangs, back in the day.  He would take me on an occasional Saturday to peer through the fence at S-A at the cars.

Is the Tom Ford you mentioned the same fellow who had a GT350?  I remember him and Phil Schmidt from the old COCOA meetings at Galpin.

Thanks, Rich, for that info on the previous tenant.

Here is the Playboy jet, photo dated April 1, 1971.  I remember seeing this plane parked near the former S-A hangars in the 1970s.

Is that a former S-A building behind the plane in this shot?

Imperial Blvd is to the right side of the photo, and the Imperial Bowl that I had previously mentioned was directly across the street from the S-A facility.

Great info on the Pan Am date, thanks Camp Upshur.

I agree that the top photo is before S-A moved in. The expansion of the LAX North runway hadn't begun, not even clearing out many blocks of houses in that area...at the very top of the pix. I lived in that area and remember when the house tearing down work began. Was around 1966, and lasted through about 1970.  That future area is represented by the red outline I drew.

Yes, interesting that the S-A sales office wasn't in place very long.

Do we know what company leased that property BEFORE Shelby moved in? 

+1 on fire extinguisher(s) on board, and make sure they're Halon.

If you're describing fuel smell and not exhaust, then I'd also surmise it's something leaking at/in the carb.

If it's exhaust smell, my KR has always done that. I've always attributed that to exhaust entering through the trunk somewhere.  Seems to be more prevalent at low road speeds.

But, that just smells like the 1960s to me.  Part of the old car experience.

I realize that you're a very knowledgeable Mustang guy, so let us know what you find out the problem is.

Thanks guys, it's all part of the fun.   Although, I'm sure many/most/all of our spouses think we're nuts.

Thanks Rich, glad that proved out.

Seeing that pix you posted jogged my memory further.  The photo you posted was (I believe) from the 1964 yearbook from Culver City High School, which was my H.S. too (but I attended many years later.) 

I'd been searching through old CCHS yearbooks online and that's where I saw that Cobra pix originally.  I posted it somewhere when I found it (four or five years ago) so perhaps that's how you found it too. 

I just had a thought that the Ford dealer shown with MacDonald, etc., might have been Culver Ford. That dealer was located a stone's throw from the Helms Bakeries headquarters (Culver City, CA)  and I've seen pix of that dealer with a 289 Cobra in the showroom.   

Steve, that is awesome!  Great photos! 

Happy 4th to everyone.  Let's exercise our freedom to drive fossil-fueled cars before that's taken away from us.

I'll take the KR out today and do a smoky burnout in support of carbon emissions!
Van