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Topic starter
11/03/2011 2:41 am
PICS (1:1) Let's Make a Deal.........Part 29...(NOW IN LIVING COLOR...sometimes).......
Earle C. Anthony became the West Coast distributor for Packard in 1915 and was Don Lee's primary competitor in the California luxury car market for decades.
In 1897 he built a working electric car. Among his other claims to fame were that the first neon sign in Los Angeles was erected on the roof of his Packard showroom, and that he designed the chevron emblem that was later used as the logo for Standard Oil's gas stations.
Their sometimes cut-throat competition was not restricted to the automobile business. In 1922 he constructed a 50 watt radio transmitter and began broadcasting as KFI and later purchsed KECA in 1929. Some say that this prompted Lee to follow suit.
He also built one of the first post war TV stations, KFI-TV, channel 9, which was one of the earliest to begin color programming. Lee was also a pioneer television broadcaster in L.A., with a transmission tower on Mt. Lee in Griffith Park. Anthony's tower was located on Mt. Wilson.
An early pic of his dealership on Wilshire Blvd. at LaBrea in Los Angeles. Note the neat sign replicating Anthony's signature and the remnants of a Willys Overland sign next door....
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His "Palace of Packards" at 901 Van Ness Ave.m San Francisco, Ca., shortly after opening in 1927. Note immense radio transmitter antenna on the roof....
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The sumptuous interior.....
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The same location in 1953....
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Only the inventory has changed.....
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The so called "Packard Penthouse" was the used car department...
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This undated pic shows another brand being sold there after Packard's passing. I'll leave it to one of you guys to say it ;).....
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British Motor Car Distributors, Ltd., currently occupies the building. They sell Bentley, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover and Lamborghini vehicles.
A mid-'30's publicity shot. Looks like Angel Falls in Yellowstone. I believe that's Anthony himself striking the pose....
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11/03/2011 6:20 am
Great pics, and story. At least the building is still standing, and when Packard comes back it can take back the dealership...."Waiter, can I have another double Scotch please!"
Topic starter
11/03/2011 6:22 am
LOL! When Packard comes back? Do you have some 1:1 insider information, too, John? 😉
11/03/2011 6:39 am
Fantastic Gene! One of my favorite threads to visit here each day. Thanks!
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
11/03/2011 6:58 am
Only what I get from Johnnie Walker Blue...LOL
Topic starter
11/03/2011 8:06 am
So you're sayin' the information comes out of the Blue? NOW I get it, John!
11/03/2011 8:31 am
Mine too!