Ran across this photo in my files of the parking lot below Mission San Diego de Alcala taken in May 1972. For any San Diegan there are a few other notables in the photo shot towards the west. To be honest the shot was for the horizon and not for the cars at the time.
Here I have another shot off to the side of the lot and fewer cars but still recognizable.
For those who do not know what the Mission looks like this is it below.
For those unfamiliar with the Missions of California this was the first one established in 1769 and the first in a line of 21 Franciscan Missions from San Diego to Sonoma. I believe three are now replicas while the others are mainly originals to varying degrees of restoration.
Lots of Ford products, some GM, 3 Toyotas, 2 VWs, 1 R10, 1 Rambler, 1 Opel.
What’s entirely missing? Chrysler products. (Unless the coupe next to the Econoline is
a Duster. Looks more Toyotaish to me.)
As common as the Bug was, the Karmann Ghia is such a distinctive icon in images from that era.
Beautiful shots of California history, and lots of Curbside Classics. Always a great combo!
The oldest vehicle would be that red panel truck, but I cannot ID it without taking time go play Guess With Google. I am guessing Chevy/GMC but could easily be wrong. The oldest I can ID is the 59 Ford wagon, followed by the 60-61 Comet.
Great pictures! And yes, the parking lot shots make it look like FoMoCo was the leader in market share at the time.
Are these photos Kodachrome? The detail and colour are stunning!
Yes, they are Kodachrome which is the only color film I shot for 37 years outdoors. B&W was either Tri-X or Plus-X.
Is it the same Econoline in both shots? It has the later style grille introduced for ’71; there’s also a new-for-’71 second generation Toyota Corolla which would tie for newest car here unless that’s a 1973-74 Ford non-Gran Torino mostly hidden behind the tree coming up the access road.
Nice to play carspotting with these cool photos. By 1972 the ’59 Ford wagon would have been very rare in my salt-belt region; today a “13-year-old car” is a 2005, and they’re plentiful and unremarkable.