Unidentified model atop a 1950’s vintage Pontiac at what looks like a car show. I can’t figure out the location but I’m sure someone out there will recognize the distinctive tile work on the stairway. Let me know if you figure it out.
(Update) Thank you to the Vintage Jacksonville fans who were quick to identify the location. The photo was shot in the showroom of the Claude Nolan Cadillac dealership on Main Street. The building is now boarded up but the Henry Klutho designed building was built for the dealership which began in 1905, in 1910 and was used by Claude Nolan until they moved to a new location in 1985. I spoke with Steve Terbrueggen, the Senior Sales Consultant for the dealership who started working there just before they moved from the Main Street location. He described the main showroom as pretty much unchanged from the photo other than some of the signage. Terbrueggen said the stairway tile was still intact and there was the original Cadillac logo inlaid into the showroom floor. Now for bonus points, identify the year and model of the car!
Tags: bathing beauty, car, Car Dealership, car show, Claude Nolan, historic photographs, interior, Main Street, model, Pontiac, vintage photography
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this is the showroom of the Claude Nolan Cadillac building in Springfield, beside Confederate Park
bob,
that poor building has been robbed of any semblance it had with its original look. i got to inspect that building a little over a year ago and it was just a total wreck. the door was OPEN if that gives you an idea. a co-worker actually asked me to go with him so he could make it out alive.
Based on the bumper and hood ornament, well, the one bolted to the car anyway, I would say this is a 1956 Pontiac Star Chief. If you look closely at the front edge of the hood ornament (again – the one bolted to the car), it appears to be a lucite type light-up design.
Sad about the historic Claude Nolan dealership building falling into disrepair. I used to pass by it almost daily during my childhood in the 1940’s and 1950’s. My father’s 1953 Pontiac ( his first new car after coming home from WW11) was his pride and joy.
My guess was that the car was a 1954 or 1955 but Lurch may very well be correct about it being a 1956. Can the city fathers do anything about the crumbling inner city? So sad.
Looks like the cash register girl.