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Feb. 15, 1950. "Crystal Motors, business at 5901 Bay Parkway, Brooklyn, New York. Exterior I." The Oldsmobile emporium last glimpsed here. Large-format acetate negative by Gottscho-Schleisner. View full size.
Must be a Chevy dealership across the street -- I see the backwards reflection of "Chevrolet" in one of the windows? --RJ--
Whitewall tires had been available for cars since the 1930s; postwar America (II and Korean) suffered a shortage.
I see someone's collection of large trophy fish hanging on the wall of the far showroom.
There's a light stand or tripod next to the tree on the right edge of the photo. Did it hold the light that might have made the odd reflection of the front door onto the brick wall? Or was that lighting effect more direct, coming as a result of a light placed at floor level inside the showroom, behind the foliage and column in the near showroom?
[The latter; it's the shadows of the door handles and door frame on the bricks. -tterrace]
A very striking building design to be a showroom for "Rocket-Action" Oldsmobiles. Very "mid-century moderne" and I'm sure an inspiration for other architects' ideas.
Here is the combination of the two photos of the "Crystal Motors" car dealership.
It was in the days before whitewalls.
The worst car I ever owned came from here. A Plymouth Horizon.
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