History The History Of Los Angeles

[BrerHair]

Originally Posted by Mazooma1

FADED

MAZOOMA.. while we are on the topic of LA racetracks what do have from Ascot???????
__________________



There were four Ascots, and I'm assuming that you are referring to the one at Vermont and 182nd St.
All I have is my memories of the three dirt tracks, 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4 mile tracks and the TT course for motorcycles.
We used to go there for "Turkey Night", the Thanksgiving day midget race that drew drivers from all over the Country.
I remember it was rained out in 1975, so a few days later they ran it on asphalt at Speedway 605 just east of the 605 freeway in Irwindale/Baldwin Park. That was the only time they ran that race on asphalt.
I vividly remember because that was the weekend that Graham Hill was killed in a plane crash.
I'll dig up some photos.

I need to pay closer attention in the future.

[Mazooma1]

Originally Posted by BrerHair

I need to pay closer attention in the future.

no, you're doing great. everything your posting is greatly appreciated.
I just wish that instead of naming so many tracks, Ascot, they would have been a little more creative. Its the fact that so many tracks that were named "Ascot" thats causing allthe trouble. Especially since everyone reading this probably only attended races at the last Ascot, Ascot Park

[BrerHair]

Originally Posted by Mazooma1

Jim, I don't have much more than this. But, that would be close, if not exactly where it was. Of course, the only info that I have is what I posted.
I do remember going with my mom and dad to the Mines Field Airport (now LAX) to pick up my cousins who were arriving on a "Super Constellation"... (!!!)
Man, I'm getting old...
The print I have says that the street on the far right, going up and down, is Century and the street that would be just below and out of frame at the bottom would be Sepulveda...

Mines Field in Los Angeles, Calif., 1934

[BrerHair]

Los Angeles motorcycle police standing at attention during inspection by Police Chief Heath, circa 1924



This pic is also under the heading "Studebaker automobile", so I guess they're Studes:

New Los Angeles police cars lined up in front of Albertson Motor Company building, circa 1925


Three Los Angeles plain-clothed police men crouched behind car aiming their guns, circa 1925

[BrerHair]

Originally Posted by Hot Rods Ta Hell

How about any pics of the Culver City Speedway? Somewhere, I have an old videotape of jalopy races there-approx early 50's (heartbreaking to watch all the 32-34 coupes being bashed).

Or any info on Carrell Speedway?

Culver City Speedway, Calif., 1927

[BrerHair]

Ya'll indulge me here, I just can't resist:


Panorama City, Calif., 1964


Our Aussie mates will dig this:

Jay Langham and Hugh Innes-Brown displaying great white shark that was caught off Southern California Coast, 1976. It was the fourth great white shark caught off Southland waters in last two months.

[BrerHair]

One more slightly O/T, and I promise to behave:


ALL-STAR LINEUP--A dozen of the world's top racing drivers who will compete in International Race of Champions this weekend pose around one of the identical Porsche Carrera cars they will drive. From left, are: A.J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Bobby Allison, Denis Hulme, Emerson Fittipaldi, Gordon Johncock, Richard Petty, Peter Revson, George Follmer, David Pearson, Mark Donohue and Bobby Unser. Riverside Calif., 1973

[BrerHair]

"Gasoline War" at 3rd Avenue and Beverly in Los Angeles, Calif., 1954

[Beach Bum]

Originally Posted by BrerHair

One more slightly O/T, and I promise to behave:


ALL-STAR LINEUP--A dozen of the world's top racing drivers who will compete in International Race of Champions this weekend pose around one of the identical Porsche Carrera cars they will drive. From left, are: A.J. Foyt, Roger McCluskey, Bobby Allison, Denis Hulme, Emerson Fittipaldi, Gordon Johncock, Richard Petty, Peter Revson, George Follmer, David Pearson, Mark Donohue and Bobby Unser. Riverside Calif., 1973

I went to that race. Richard Petty took it so seriously he bought a Porsche to practice with back home. They only used the Porsches the first year. I have poor quality snapshot photos someplace.

Kurt O.

[Mazooma1]

Legion Ascot was in East Los Angeles from 1924-36
You can see the speedway right above it's name in white on the right. You are looking west. Ramona Blvd. was renamed the San Bernardino Freeway (I-10). County Hospital (LAC/USC) is labeled and has been a landmark for 70 years. As you can see, the speedway's grandstands faced east.



looking the same direction, but from the ground...as it is today



another aerial photo taken after the speedway was closed, but you can still see it on the right. The road on the right towards the top is Huntington Drive and if you were to follow it to the right, out of frame, you'd be in Alhambra



This is the best shot that I have seen which shows how, for some races, they would use the main race track and then run up the hills into a road course section and then back to the regular track. Must have been alot of fun. The course would cross over itself with a bridge. This is looking north-east.





using the "road course"

[HOLLYWOOD GRAHAM]

Originally Posted by BrerHair

Los Angeles motorcycle police standing at attention during inspection by Police Chief Heath, circa 1924



This pic is also under the heading "Studebaker automobile", so I guess they're Studes:

New Los Angeles police cars lined up in front of Albertson Motor Company building, circa 1925


Three Los Angeles plain-clothed police men crouched behind car aiming their guns, circa 1925

Funny that two of the coppers are well armed with a Thompson and a B.A.R but the third guy has only a .38. He should have had a .45 or something. They are probably Bank Robbery Detail as they were usually better armed.

[LANCE-SPEED]

MAZOOMA, Since your the king of now and then shots. I've been looking for pics, now and then of Corana speedway. Reason is my cousin lives in a newer house that I believe is on the start finish line. Also I did not know there was more than one Ascot Park the one I was refering to is the Ascot in Gardena. thanks Lance

[mtrhd]

LA brochure circa 1953-just the facts, ma'am!

[Digney in Burnaby]

Southern (Ascot) Speedway stock cars, 1939:

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=7918

Southern (Ascot) Speedway big cars, 1938:

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=14166

Quick addition with what looks to be Legion Ascot, 1933:

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=4245

[stlouisgasser]

Love this Machine Shop photo! I've heard from old-timers how machine shops back then were operated by a complex series of ceiling mounted pulleys and leather belts. I'd love to have seen an original but missed my chance about 10 years ago. The local St. Louis Post Dispatch had reported that an old building downtown had been purchased and was going to be renovated in to apartment lofts that have become so popular. Anyway, to everyone's surprise, there was an all original, absolutely untouched 1920-30's era Machine Shop in the basement that everybody just seemed to have forgotten about. Nobody knew anything about it! They reported that it was like everybody went home from work one day from it and never just never returned. I REALLY regret not going downtown just to check it out and snap photos.

[stlouisgasser]

Whoops! The photo from this thread posted earlier.

[Mazooma1]

Ed Pink....master engine builder

[Mazooma1]

another L.A. styling legend, Larry Watson

[rustygem]

Funny I remember going to shows at the Pan Pacific in the late '60s and seeing cars with little signs near them the said "Larry Watson did not paint this car so& so did, in Watsons shop" always wondered what was up with that, I used to pass by Watsons shop on Firestone all the time was that another of his or a spin off?

[HOLLYWOOD GRAHAM]

Another Drive In. Simmons had several, we have none now.