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1042 Princeton Dr, Marina Del Rey


Cali_KR

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Had some time after my design meeting and my flight out of LAX last Friday, therefore I thought I'd take this opportunity to drive by 1042 Princeton Dr in Marina Del Rey as I'd never been there, and in light of its recent sale (it is surrounded by high end condos very close to the beach) and with Carroll's passing a few days prior, I'd thought I'd better go take a look at this automotive landmark before it is gone. For those that don't know, this location was where Shelby American Cobra production was based from June 1962 thru March 1965

 

I took a number of pix, the best being the caricature I found taped to the front door. It really hit home when i walked up and saw that... :(

 

Door_memorial.jpg

 

I downloaded the vintage picture of Carroll Shelby & Steve McQueen to give you a point of reference (garage door and side access) from the pic I took from the street

 

1042Princeton.jpg

 

shelby-mcqueen.jpg

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Design meeting, 3 hours too long...

 

Flight out of LAX, delayed 90 minutes...

 

Short visit at 1042 Princeton Drive, Marina Del Rey and witness to where it all started, Timeless!

 

 

Tom,

 

Thanks for sharing the sketch and photo of 2 American icons.

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Had some time after my design meeting and my flight out of LAX last Friday, therefore I thought I'd take this opportunity to drive by 1042 Princeton Dr in Marina Del Rey as I'd never been there, and in light of its recent sale (it is surrounded by high end condos very close to the beach)

 

 

 

I lived right down the street from there. 1962 to about 1965 or 66. Staight down Venice Blvd. towards the beach, make a right on Pacific Ave and about 4 houses down on the right...1912 A Pacific Ave, Venice CA.

 

There was a storage yard right by Shelby's place that had big boxes of clay that we would steal, by lifing the chain link fence and sliding a box under. My mom still had many of my 'sculptures' when I cleared her Apt. out last year.

 

We played in the Canals to the west of Shelby, down to Marina Del Rey.

 

Man, I had some GOOD times growing up in that area. Then came Culver City and the street gangs...BAD place to be nowdays.

 

 

Phill

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I made this from Bing Maps - you can see how this historic Shelby building is being swallowed up by its surroundings...

 

1042princetonbirdseyefromBingmaps.jpg

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I made this from Bing Maps - you can see how this historic Shelby building is being swallowed up by its surroundings...

 

1042princetonbirdseyefromBingmaps.jpg

 

 

WOW! The place is really built up!

 

There was almost nothing there back in the day...Well, at least building wise.

 

 

Phill

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Door_memorial.jpg

 

 

 

 

From this, it's pretty obvious that someone on the inside of the building - presumably the new owners - know what they have and its history. It is a piece of automotive history and needs to be documented but I can't blame the owners if they find their property has a "higher and best use". On the other hand where would we be if someone didn't keep the place that "George Washington Slept Here".

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Beautiful car. Too bad you couldn't get it inside the building for some shots~ Now THAT would be priceless!

 

 

Phill

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  • 3 months later...

Stopped by 1042 Princeton this afternoon after the LASSAC Tony Sousa Memorial Car Show on the Santa Monica Pier.

 

The building is being renovated but I still could feel Carroll's spirit lingering around.

 

 

Thanks for sharing the pic ! Beautiful black Shelby you have !

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Just saw this thread, didn't see mention of the artist of the drawing but it caught my eye...

 

I recognized Phineas & Ferb in the drawing, looks like the note is from Jeff "Swampy" Marsh - here is the info on him in Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_%22Swampy%22_Marsh

 

the best being the caricature I found taped to the front door. It really hit home when i walked up and saw that... :(Door_memorial.jpg
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Just saw this thread, didn't see mention of the artist of the drawing but it caught my eye...

 

I recognized Phineas & Ferb in the drawing, looks like the note is from Jeff "Swampy" Marsh - here is the info on him in Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia....Swampy%22_Marsh

 

Good catch, to the right of the drawing, signed vertically, it looks like the signature says "swampy"

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