Fonzie’s motorcycle and leather jacket from Happy Days is on display at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park!
There are lots of good reasons to visit the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. They’ve got all sorts of one-of-a-kind cars that you won’t find anywhere else. They also have a very cool motorcycle that you might have seen on television. That is, if you’re an old-timer like me.
Remember the classic show Happy Days? Remember how The Fonz would appear on his motorcycle, wearing his 50s-style leather jacket? During the 1970s and early 1980s, Fonzie became one of America’s greatest cultural icons. Today, by visiting the San Diego Automotive Museum, you can see a motorcycle and leather jacket that actor Henry Winkler used while portraying The Fonz!
I visited the museum last weekend and took a few photos. Check it out!
This 1949 Triumph Trophy TR5 Scrambler is one of three motorcycles used by The Fonz in the classic television show Happy Days. You can see the motorcycle up close at the San Diego Automotive Museum.Photo of Fonzie’s cool 1949 Triumph Trophy TR5 Scrambler from a different angle.Leather jacket worn by Henry Winkler, who played cultural icon Arthur Fonzarelli–The Fonz–on the very popular American television show Happy Days!
…
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
This 1947 Cadillac was transformed into an amazing cross-country contraption! The unusual car drove from San Diego to New York and back–without stopping!
Have you heard of the amazing car that features a toilet, washing machine, ironing board, shower, and even a kitchen sink?
Did you know this amazing car also has an electric stove, refrigerator, medicine cabinet, and drinking fountain?
And that this particular car holds the cross-country driving endurance record? In 1952, three men drove the car 6,320 miles nonstop–literally without stopping–from San Diego to New York and back, accompanied by a police escort the entire way! They refueled from a moving gas truck!
What else can this amazing car do?
The car automatically changes oil and refills the radiator. Movable platforms and hydraulic jacks allow any tire to be changed without stopping the car. And repairs to the engine can be made while driving. The hood, when open, has transparent panels that allow the driver to see the road!
A shower and drinking fountain! Why not? The shower is on the right running board and the drinking fountain can be accessed at a rear taillight! The back seat conveniently contains several household necessities, including a refrigerator, stove, small washing machine, chemical toilet, and, of course . . . that kitchen sink!
Never heard of this crazy car? It once was quite famous, widely appearing on television, in magazines and newspapers. But that was decades ago.
Today you can see Louie Mattar’s extensively modified 1947 Cadillac for yourself. It’s on display at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park!
Here’s to the dreamers. And here’s to the actual doers. It took Louie Mattar five years to transform his amazing dream into reality!
Louie Mattar’s car was driven 6320 miles without ever stopping. Refueling, tire changes and even engine repairs are done on the run!You can see the most amazing car in the world at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park!The car tows a trailer, which stores gasoline, water and oil. At the rear is an outdoor dining area complete with dial telephone!When the car was in motion, a passenger in swim trunks could stand on a narrow platform outside and take a shower!A look at the complicated dashboard. I’m reminded of an airplane’s cockpit.Diagram shows the many gauges and switches available to the driver. A bar and hookah are within easy reach of the front seat passenger!Another look inside the amazing car through the front passenger side door.A crazy tangle under the hood. It looks like a dish of spaghetti!Diagram shows numerous modifications and additions to the 1947 Cadillac’s original stock engine.A passenger in the moving car could stand on this projecting platform to change a tire! The axles are drilled, so tires can be inflated while they are turning!A video in the San Diego Automotive Museum shows the amazing car in action!How many cars in the world are equipped with an electric stove and ironing board?
…
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
International M-2-4 Rocket Truck used in the Pacific during World War II.
An interesting new exhibit will open this coming Friday, April 3 at the San Diego Automotive Museum. Part of this year’s Centennial Celebration, the new exhibit is called Balboa Park: The War Years. According to one website: “The (auto museum) floor will be transformed into a USO show venue to tell the story of the impact that war had on San Diego and the entire West Coast.” As part of the museum’s general admission, visitors will be able to check out a dozen-or-so 1940s period vehicles used by the American military during the Second World War.
I was lucky to experience a small taste of the exhibit this afternoon. A rocket launching truck and anti-tank gun were waiting to be rolled from the outside parking lot into the museum during my Sunday walk through Balboa Park.
Here are several pics…
This historical military vehicle comes from the Marine Corps Mechanized Museum at Camp Pendleton north of San Diego.One of many interesting vehicles arriving for the upcoming Balboa Park: The War Years exhibit at the San Diego Automotive Museum.US WW2 37mm M3 Anti-Tank Gun backing up to the museum’s big side door!
(After doing some searching on the internet, I’m pretty sure I have the above caption correct. If I don’t, leave a comment!)
Cool guy from San Diego Automotive Museum smiles for the camera!
…
To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Cool San Diego Sights! 