For today I’ll share what I consider a rather pretty collection that combines two of my favorite subjects, cars and the beach. As for the beach, I’ve never lived farther away than thirty minutes from one, and can’t imagine ever doing so. As for cars, those are all around, and can’t keep from staring at them. Particularly vintage ones.
Most of these images -with a few exceptions- were taken in Daytona. Unlike the location, the cars are rather varied. So let’s visit that beachside, and check out what rides we can spot.
If the Custom 300 were black and a Fordor, the kid might be me around 1968. I couldn’t help but smile at it.
Yes, beautiful car for sure.
The ’67 Chevelle in the last picture with the slotted mags and pinstripe whitewalls is just perfect! This was the exact same set up I used my first car, a 70 Charger. I’ve always felt (and still do) that a small whitewall with the right wheel accents the look of a car.
The 70s-80s brougham cars seemed to thoroughly turn the thin whitewall into a stodgy dorky thing to people. Today you’d never see those on a 67 Chevelle SS, RWLs, blackwalls or thin redwalls is ok but never whitewalls. It’s a shame, like you said if they have the right wheel or are on the right car they look just right.
Speaking of Chargers, almost every ad and brochure shot for 1969 including R/Ts has thin whitewalls, its one of the most sought after high value muscle cars today, but not a one has them, even for meticulous restorations
I love thin whitewalls – they really look good on the high profile tires of the day – my black C2 is one of the few on original steels wth wheel covers and I really like the look…
I agree! Thin whitewalls look great and can convey sportiness, though not in the modern mind.
I’d happily go back to whitewalls of any variety if it means tires can have cushy sidewalls again.
That well-kept ’61 Cadillac was almost 10 years old when it was shot and appears to be wearing radial tires.
There’s a good chance that photo was taken in 1971, since the Cadillac appears to have a 1971-72 Florida inspection sticker on the windshield.
The LF wheelcover on that `61 Caddy is from a `69 model Cadillac.
Nice set, thanks!
The older lady in the “green dress” ((pic #5)) is really a nice shot. Had to be “mid 50’s”.
Anyone know is it “Daytona” as well?
See more green in the background then the other pics.
As much as I like cars, I think I personally prefer car-free beaches. But drivable beaches make for some great vintage photos! Chevy and Olds seem well represented.
One thing I noticed had nothing to do with cars, but people. These random photos are hardly a full cross-section of society, but I think in a similar batch of photos taken today it would be hard not to capture anyone noticeably overweight.
In pic #4 is that a 1955-ish Ford Anglia 100E approaching?
Were those sold in the US? Or did someone drive it all the way from Canada?
I have a feeling they sold more in the northeast than anywhere else, but here’s an ad: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333617833416?hash=item4dad2c25c8:g:loAAAOSwcDNe2s7W&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4DDlNk0i4X%2BVPwOhZ0ZfXv9C36uXXQYaNjEzkTFGeGO7TpLx2mCrvXmxDxpi6%2BjX9RclCmJx4467J2LC6r2XecZX0153WhDg21yczL1%2FJfj961dkRl4QhBod3AqHmy75mgq%2FM6NUyf%2FxsEmmzPbdssZEt3g6e3OZNtGvVavAyztyjRLkK0%2BOZ57lbe1voMSYRFTyyQQWgeDfCUjQ0icXxxyq8FlH2XXbkVPNvr8abpWsd0dNXHXO9tkHOgs%2F1iVSLzvhx5RpsZ8l8wIND0ZLu05T2Q%2F8ammN3b7kiZbZpWr1%7Ctkp%3ABFBM4t2BvPli
It would perhaps have been more at home on the beach at Weston-super-Mare.
https://i2-prod.bristolpost.co.uk/incoming/article3131027.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/0_EB-R_BRI_12072017BTPICPAST-July-23-Weston_08.jpg
I’ve never been in FL at all, and will suppose things have changed, but it is fascinating to see these park-on-the-beach photos.
I’ve spent most of my life in winter-road-salt territory, I know damage/precautions, but know almost nothing about having a car near the saltwater coast—how far inland is “safe,” what kinds of precautions are taken, how how bad is potential damage vis-a-vis northern/inland winter salting?
I lived in the Midwest and traveled to both ocean coasts as well as to Hawaii. Those cars if driven regularly on the beach rusted in a similar manner to Midwest cars, especially with the warmer climate. If the cars are near the coast but not on the beach actually they rusted from the top down because of salt in the air.
I remember a significant number of International Scouts while in Hawaii in 1990. Some were in immaculate like new condition, others completely rusted out.
I did get to drive my ’73 Pinto on Daytona beach. A cool experience but I’m sure contributed to its demise from rust. It was the fastest rusting car I ever had. And I owned a Fiat Strada! I’m not sure if driving on Daytona Beach is allowed anymore.
The first photo. The cheap white Ford. So sweet. So perfect.
I was at Daytona Beach in 1990 and drove along one section of beach, just because it was allowed. Driving on the beach being allowed surprised me.
Driving on Daytona Beach is still allowed, although there are rumblings every few years about repealing it. There is a fee, and annual passes can be purchased. I’m not sure how big of a revenue stream it is for the city. There are multiple city and county parks up and down the beach with ample free parking and walk-on beach access, so I never saw the appeal, even when living there for several years. For large families or serious fishermen I suppose it’s a big convenience not to have to haul tons of stuff on and off the beach by foot. I most often went to the beach around sundown when I lived there, as it’s much quieter and I believe beach driving and parking end around that time. It’s not allowed at night.
I simply love these “snapshot” posts. Thanks again, Rich.