Santa's Sleigh

Just a quick dispatch from the Downtown Glendora Christmas Parade. Our own Don Reynolds was there and as the cars were lining up, he snapped a couple of pictures of this 1962 Buick Electra 225 convertible. It was finished in Cardinal Red with what appeared to be a customized interior and whitewalls a bit wider than stock. He didn't mention who was riding in it but we think it would be an awesome ride for Santa- don't you?

The Electra 225 was the top of the line for 1962. This convertible had a base price of $ 4,365.00. It came standard with Buick's 401 cubic inch Wildcat 445 engine and Twin Turbine Automatic Transmission. Buick made a total of 7,894 Electra 225 convertibles in 1962. 

Here's a 1962 Fisher Body ad showing off the Cardinal Red

'Tis The Season

 With the Holiday Season upon us, we're taking a day to look back at the season through historic photographs of Southern California, Los Angeles and our own hometown of Covina. We may not be dreaming of a White Christmas, indeed that's why many of us live here, but It's always fun to reminisce about simpler times and admire the decor and the customs of days gone by.

So come along as we look back at the Holidays in Southern California:

LA Mayor Fletcher Bowron and his wide ride in a new Buick Roadmaster in the 1949 Hollywood Christmas Parade

Hollywood Boulevard, 1950

A Christmas Seals Billboard at Hollywood and Vine, 1950

Holiday Issue of Buick Magazine, 1936

A 1936 Buick decked for the season

Mayor and Mrs. Bowron pass the Frolic Room in the 1949 Hollywood Christmas Parade

Another view of the 1949 Hollywood Christmas Parade

1958 Buick Dealer Greeting Card

1959 Buick wagon in a blanket of white

Snow in Downtown Covina, 1940s

Covina in Holiday Decor, 1962

Monday Memories: Holiday Style

Hollywood Blvd, 1940's

We hope each and every one of you are having a wonderful Holiday season. We love the texture of the holidays, the connection to years gone by as we observe our Holiday traditions. There was a time when beautiful decorations were utilized by many of the communities in Southern California.
It seems that some of the most elaborate decorations were in Hollywood, and recently we were fortunate to come across a stash of old Hollywood photos that show some very charming and elaborate decorations, as well as some scenes from old Hollywood Christmas parades. We also found the Eastland Tower made into an atomic Christmas missile, and our own downtown Covina in 1962.

We hope these scenes of days gone by will bring back happy holiday memories of good times with family and friends.

Hollywood, 1946

1949 Roadmaster in 1948 Christmas Parade

1949 Hollywood Christmas Parade

Hollywood Blvd, 1950

Hollywood and Vine, 1950

Streetcar in Inglewood, 1957

Eastland Center's "Christmas Tower", 1957

Our own Downtown Covina, 1962