Can someone identify this car with two front ends?

[marcapra]

When I used to substitute teach in Imperial Beach in the 80s, I used to take the Silver Strand up to Coronado so I could take the breath-taking free direction Coronado bridge over San Diego Bay and see the beautiful harbor and skyline.  Palm Avenue had a lot of interesting night clubs.  I remember seeing an old car mounted about 20 feet in the air, and this curious car made from two front ends welded together.  I took this pic around 1984.  I wondered if this car was still there advertising Lydia's Cafe.  But a lot has changed since 1984!  Palm Avenue was widend and the cafe is now an urgent care building!  

[joe_padavano]

1947 Pontiac

 

[mikewest]

Its a rare ESCAPEE FROM A JUNKYARD!

[keiser31]

6 hours ago, marcapra said:

When I used to substitute teach in Imperial Beach in the 80s, I used to take the Silver Strand up to Coronado so I could take the breath-taking free direction Coronado bridge over San Diego Bay and see the beautiful harbor and skyline.  Palm Avenue had a lot of interesting night clubs.  I remember seeing an old car mounted about 20 feet in the air, and this curious car made from two front ends welded together.  I took this pic around 1984.  I wondered if this car was still there advertising Lydia's Cafe.  But a lot has changed since 1984!  Palm Avenue was widend and the cafe is now an urgent care building!  

I remember it well.

[sagefinds]

10 hours ago, marcapra said:

When I used to substitute teach in Imperial Beach in the 80s, I used to take the Silver Strand up to Coronado so I could take the breath-taking free direction Coronado bridge over San Diego Bay and see the beautiful harbor and skyline.  Palm Avenue had a lot of interesting night clubs.  I remember seeing an old car mounted about 20 feet in the air, and this curious car made from two front ends welded together.  I took this pic around 1984.  I wondered if this car was still there advertising Lydia's Cafe.  But a lot has changed since 1984!  Palm Avenue was widend and the cafe is now an urgent care building!  

From July 1966 to 68 I was stationed at NAS North Island working on 9cyl radial airplane engines in one of the sub chaser/killer squadrons. The Viet Nam war was going on and the barracks were crowded so they paid us to live in town if we wanted to,we did. Rented a house in Imperial Beach a block from the pier and discovered the ocean. A little different than living at 6062' above sea level in the SE corner of Wyoming. 

[Dave Mellor NJ]

These double front end cars were a fairly common phenomena back in the day. There was a 47-48 Olds that sat for years across from Hankins' garage in Beridgeboro, NJ. I have seen a couple Model A coupes and a 40s Studebaker. I'm sure there were others

[marcapra]

I would assume that most of these double front cars were made to be head turners to draw your attention to a business like a garage or a restaurant.  I just found this old snapshot in the back of an old desk.  I'd like to see any other pics of cars like this.  

[Scott Bonesteel]

There was a similar topic thread recently, including a discussion between Keiser and me about an orange, double ended Pontiac Catalina that sat for years outside the Catalina Lounge at Voltaire and Catalina, also in San Diego/Point Loma.  Made inquiries about it to the current Lounge owners and to a local photographer, both without any success.  Still trying to locate a photo of that one. 

[Dave Mellor NJ]

Nothing too old here

 

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[Jim Bollman]

This was used as a Dogs & Suds sign.

 

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by Jim Bollman (see edit history)