Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/38228
horse-drawn carriage was adapted with a motor and became the horse-less carriage, and early movies chronicled the process. Some may recall Laurel and Hardy sitting precari- ously atop a Model T Ford crushed between two trolley cars. A display of old billboards – advertisers needed bigger signs now that cars were speeding past – while restaurants used mimetic, novelty architecture like huge hats, animals, donuts, boots and other attention-grabbers to attract hungry travelers. Colorful and eye-catching gas stations were made to look like old Spanish Missions, while the sophisticated, salon-type car dealership showed that buying a car in the 1930s was a big deal. e ubiquitous strip-mall owes its existence to the car, too, and there’s a recreation of the world’s first strip-mall, which is still nearby at Wilshire and Hamilton: Post-WWII California was full of returning, skilled serv- iceman, and they designed and customized their way into what many see as the classic rock ‘n roll age of American cars, some of which you can see—complete with their huge tail- fins—at the fictional “Jamm‘s Diner” (there’s a real diner here too, Johnny Rocket’s, where you can buy a burger and fries). Car customization is a Californian art form, and the mu- seum includes a display of a customizing shop with a 1950s Mercury in mid-work. Kendall explains, “It’s pretty unusual to have a car like this. Most people who do that much work on a car – it’s been chopped, raked, leaded in –finish it. But the guy never finished, and we were lucky to get it.” It’s not all about cars – one of the newest exhibitions is about scooters, a form of transport that’s been around as long as cars and is wildly popular, especially in Europe – but there are still plenty of race cars, hot rods and alter- Hollywood movies and TV shows have spawned many wild and wacky cars - some of which on display here. Rare 1957 Jaguar XK-SS, one of 16 built, owned by the late Steve McQueen. Laurel and Hardy have another mishap! 18 DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD / SUMMER 2011