1929 LA Motor Show
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sun 24 Aug 2014 22:27
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The 1929 Los Angeles Motor
Show
 Had we not visited Warbirds and
Wheels, we would never have been privy to this fantastic story. The panorama picture below was hanging on the wall, one of the
wonderful displays we saw when we visited the amazing collection of cars and
planes just outside Wanaka. We looked online and found the Los Angeles Times had
covered the story.
Motor show fever was rampant in 1929
Los Angeles as preparations were being completed for the 16th Annual Show.
Despite the refusal of the Fire Marshall, the organisers
erected giant tents down-town – they sidestepped him and got the permit
from the City Council instead.
 The fire taking
hold.
 Rubber neckers watch in
fascination.
 The mess left behind when four tents that covered 150,000
feet of floor space. allowing thirty five manufacturers to display three hundred
cars went up in flames.
 The show had opened to the usual
fanfare on the Saturday the 2nd of March, and on Wednesday the 6th a handful of
people amongst the small crowd of 2,500 browsing through the showground at 4:15,
noticed a small tongue of flame creeping up the fabric and paper running up a
tent pole. It is assumed that a cigarette end was the culprit that began the
blaze that resulted in such a pitiful
sight.
 Fire extinguishers proved inadequate
in reach to quell the flames, and the wind on the day took the flame across the
other tents reaching cars and gasoline. Within minutes the fire was out of control. One official’s car alongside his stand had
run out of gasoline and he was on his way back on foot with a full can
approaching the showground – its not reported which direction he
ran.........
 It took one and a half hours for the
whole showground to be consumed. Miraculously no one
died, and two electricians and a fireman were the only injured. Dealers stood
helplessly watching their precious cars – and the valuable oriental rugs and
vases they’d brought along to accompany them, go up in flames and smoke. The
loss totalled one and a quarter million dollars.
 No doubt the Globe
Automobile Wrecking Co – to the top right, were celebrating the early
arrival of Christmas.
Within fifty hours, a replacement –
fireproof venue was ready and replacement vehicles – devoid of
gasoline..............were on show.
The Mercedes dealer was lucky – his cars turned up
too late for the fire. The Cadillacs, cords, Auburns, Stutzs and Lincolns etc
were not so lucky. And two historic cars, a 1907 Packard “30” Roadster – which
had 510,000 miles without mishap and a 0901 Packard Model “C”were lost. Both
insured but irreplaceable.
ALL IN ALL WHAT A TO
DO OOPS |