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Blazing Buick: 1922

San Francisco, 1922. "Buick roadster at California Street firehouse." If we ride along, can we ring the bell? 5x7 glassneg by Christopher Helin. View full size.

San Francisco, 1922. "Buick roadster at California Street firehouse." If we ride along, can we ring the bell? 5x7 glassneg by Christopher Helin. View full size.

 

On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5

Where'd he come from?

I didn't even realize there was someone in the driver's seat until I noticed the hand on the steering wheel.

[He probably didn't see you, either. - Dave]

It got ugly

The firehouse as it looks today at 2158 California Street.

2150 California Street

It looks like San Francisco still maintains a fire station at that address, but the original we only catch a glimpse of in this photo was amazing.

I'm actually eagerly hoping Shorpy has a better shot than the one I was able to find of the old building. (More photos here.)

San Francisco firefighters

Could have spent a little less time polishing their pumpers and turned their attention to the door of the captain's Buick.

I Am Reminded

In British films of the '40s and '50s, police cars zoomed through the streets in pursuit of malefactors while clearing traffic from their paths by means of little bells that made my first tricycle's seem cacophonous by comparison.

Was the pursuit of justice ever really such a genteel affair?

From Charles Howard?

Seabiscuit's owner began his rise to success in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. His Buick dealership had some of the few functioning motor vehicles available after the quake, and he loaned them to the city. His generous action also made the public aware of the benefits of his motorcars. He further boosted sales by accepting horses as trade-ins. It's said that's where he learned to value, and eventually race them. Did the city government show its thanks by buying Buicks?

World's Record

Smallest official Logo on any municipal vehicle, bar none.

Factory equipment

This model comes with a door-dinger installed. Why wait for others when you can do it yourself?

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