Framed or unframed, desk size to sofa size, printed by us in Arizona and Alabama since 2007. Explore now.
Shorpy is funded by you. Patreon contributors get an ad-free experience.
Learn more.
November 1940. "Pool hall in Shasta County, California." Recreation for the workers and engineers building the Shasta Dam across the Sacramento River. Photo by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.
Model 77 Willys, parked in front. Contrary to popular belief, it is pronounced "Willis"
It's a 1934 Willys, the Fiat 500 of its day. Notice that the license plate is about a third as wide as the whole car. I couldn't find a single modern photo of one that hasn't been hot-rodded.
The unusual black sedan is a 1934 Willys 77. It was advertised as the "Cheapest Car in America" with a price below $500. Its 145ci engine produced 48hp and a 65 mph top speed.
That appears to be a 1936 Buick behind it, hard to tell the year.
Here's a photo of the front of the Willys 77.
To me the smell of America is fresh sawdust. So many photos from the 1800s through the next century seem to be of Americans putting up quick functional buildings in which to do things. To me, this building looks relatively new and one can imagine a fine dusting of the stuff still covering some of the nooks and crannies within.
No stone buildings meant to last millennia but just do what needs to be done so we can be on our way to sell dry goods or shoot pool.
Don't get into a game of stud with the guy wearing the green eyeshade visor on the right. Looks like he's been dealing nothing but losing hands all day long.
On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5