Sanucci Volkswagen, Reseda.
Al Tatti Volkswagen, Downey.
Vintage Dealers: Volkswagens In California In The 1960s
– Posted on October 29, 2024
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The open and inviting camper must have been an officially recommended display.
The juxtaposition of the flamboyant Plymouth and the Volkswagen is symbolic of the transition away from over-the-top styling.
It could be interesting to see a photo showing a juxtaposition of the Volvswagen and a Toyota or a Datsun.
I purchased my new 1964 VW at Continental Cars West Liberty Ave Pittsburgh Pa 15216
Java Green with sun roof slightly under $2,000.00 including tax
Ken D
Interesting. I paid about the same price for this new 1969 Beetle (no sunroof, just radio and whitewalls) at Auto World VW in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Traded in a 1963 Beetle.
Interesting as they wrote it up as a DeLuxe sun roof sedan (Model 117) .
-Nate
Wonder if “Rorich Cadillac” is down “W Liberty Ave”? (Sit back, relax, in a “Rorich Cadillac”)
Rorich Lexus is on West Liberty for now. They are building a new store in McMurray
Thanks. I should have said “still down Liberty Av”? Didn’t they also have a “Toyota” dealer at one time?
“McMurray” is a bit away.
I purchased a new 71 super beetle for like 2100 dollars and the oil change at the dealer was 2.92. Those were the days.
Is that an Iso Rivolta in the first photo?
Good eye!
The Sanucci showroom is still standing in Reseda – now a used car dealer / body shop. Sanucci itself moved to a bigger facility elsewhere in Reseda in 1968.
Google StreetView link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YdyjAvucwf1CLpcS6
When I see or hear “Reseda”, “Tom Petty’s”, “Free Falling” immediately plays in my head.
Sanucci Volkswagen was later LaTorre VW on Roscoe in Reseda. I worked there around 1980/81 at this dealership. 7525 Reseda blvd. The dealership later moved to a new location in Reseda, and then this location was turned into a body shop.
In 1991 I worked at the new location, it was still LA Torre VW, it still exists today as Galpin Volkswagen of San Fernando Valley. 15421 Roscoe Blvd.
Beetles and Kombies everywere.
Old good years.
Our first VW, a Super Beetle, came from Downtown L.A. VW slightly later in 1970. 🙂 DFO
Riviera Volkswagen, Manhattan Beach, California (1960)
Where I had my first car serviced and bought parts
In the first pic; the white car , right next to showroom, is a…..
Anyone?
Iso Rivolta…
t/y
Sanucci Volkswagen? Wow, I haven’t thought of them in decades. Used to buy enough parts from them in the 70s I got wholesale prices. Location doesn’t look right, but the name sure rings a bell.
I can see why Al Tatti put his first name on the business as well as his surname.
Or did VW corporate decide Tatti Volkswagen didn’t quite project the right image?
That would have been more appropriate for the used VWs….
There’s a less well-known “VW Henge” in Panhandle, Texas (on i-40) called the Slug Bug Ranch, that’s meant to mimic the more famous Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. Don’t blink tho; u may miss it at highway speed!
I was born in Riverside, California, lived there and Newport Beach. Riverside is where the Empi VW products were manufactured.
In the autumn of’65 my mom needed a new car and we bought a new VW at the VW agency in Riverside (forgive me, I forgot the name of the agency). Mom was quite good at continued maintenance on whatever car she had, my Dad was, too. The VW served her 10 years.
My Dad was in military intelligence and lived in Germany with my Mom in the 50’s during the Korean war. He purchased a V.W. Bug or Beetle and shipped it home to Marblehead Massachusetts where they lived. It was said to be among the first 10 or so Volkswagens to have entered the U.S. I never saw it but I saw some pictures. It had little “arms” that would drop down on the outside of the car serving as the turn signals. I don’t know how long Volkswagen stayed with that design feature. He owned nothing but Volkswagens for the rest of his life. I learned how to drive a standard transmission in my Mom’s 1971 V.W. Bus. She was in love with that “bus” that my siblings and I grew up in.. She wept when it finally died. Now that I’m much more seasoned I understand what cars can mean to people. My own first car was a 1969 V.W. Beetle with a PORSCHE engine. I could get that thing up to 60+ MPH in second gear!!
Worked at Ft Myers Vw in 1968 . At that time Naples fla VW was only 2 bays. Later worked at Kline VW Porsche, Audi in Indy. Started as trainee and moved up to unit room worker. They sent me to VW school many times. Also to Porsche schools. After many yrs I opened my own VW shop. I loved those years, I have overhauled 3000 VW engines. And I’m still going strong.
In 1969 I traded a black 1966 427 Corvette coupe for a new red VW beetle with sunroof and $288 at Klinke VW Alton Illinois. Still have the paperwork on it. Feel kinda dumb now.