paulvaranasi just posted this at the Cohort, and says: “This fellow lives in his car; on street cleaning days, he pushes it back and forth around the corner from the Rainbow General Store in San Francisco.” My heart goes out to him. It is the rainy season in SF, and his situation might explain what appears to be some very crude fiberglass repair work on the C-Pillar of this 1956 Montclair. Oddly, the same stuff seems to be on the wheels… hmmm? In any case, I’ll bet it’s no joke pushing this chunky Big M (CC here).
This reminds me of when I lived in Santa Monica and had a dead Peugeot 404 parts car (or two) that twice weekly I had to push across the street for the same reason. That got old pretty quickly, and it got me to stop collecting old beater 404s. City life can have its challenges, and this fellow certainly has his share. I guess it beats a shopping cart–for living in, not pushing.
Shoulda gone for a wagon, heavier but more room inside
Or a Nash so that the seats would at least fold down.
I wonder if this one is on Craigslist – “1956 Mercury Montclair, low miles. Very comfortable. Would consider trade for van.”
It isn’t fiberglass, it’s packing tape. The back & side window, hubcaps & hood are all covered in it.
That explains it.
Isn’t this San Fran, where everyone loves one another and everything is awesome? how come some lovable billionaire hasn’t bought him a house, or a at least a new Prius to live in? A 40 plus year of a “war on poverty” hasn’t gotten us very far hasn’t it?
No it’s not; the city you’re describing only exists as a crude and condescending stereotype in the minds of those that tend to embrace that that kind of thing.
I’m not going to get into politics or stereotypes, but, if he has to push the car, that tells me it probably doesn’t have valid registration.
I’m surprised that he can keep it on the street, as even our little town here in Pennsylvania is very aggressive about having non-licensed vehicles removed from the street.
I’d say if he is pushing it doesn’t run, or he can’t afford any gas. I seriously doubt that it wouldn’t be gathering tickets and eventually get towed if it was parked on a public street without having a current registration.
A guy who pushes around a car that he lives in might cause mayhem to anyone trying to roust him.
Must be a San Francisco thing. When I went to school there back in the ’90s, there was an older lady who lives in a white Studebaker in the parking lot near the school. And the Stude still works! As it moved once in a while to comply with parking regulation.
In London there was a woman that lived in a 59 Ford Consul for about 35 years! .Makes this one look like a show winner. Covered in parking tickets Local council named it an eyesore and it got towed and scrapped. A local person not wishing to see here made homeless gave her a Mercedes t 123 series to live in. Not a flat or deposit for a lease.. no another bloody car! Does any one know if she is still there?.
MH.
That car appears to have been in decent shape not too long ago. What a waste…
Perhaps we should set up an account at a bank and do a fundraiser to buy him a Mercury wagon….that starts.
This car is a San Francisco icon. Variuos blogs such as oldparkedcars.blogspot, the
Street Peep, and California Streets have monitored this car since it was discovered
in 2009. According to sources inside these blogs, it has been parked in the same
general area for nearly 20 years now. It is said to move under its own power. It is
said to be owned by an elderly black gentleman who bought it new. He has done
his best to preserve it by covering parts of it with packing tape. He does indeed
live in the car after losing his home in the late ’90’s. The car is said to be equipped
with a 312 V-8 and 3-speed stick with OD. That car must really be something for
him to keep it this long–let alone live in it. To view all articles on this car, visit:
oldparkedcars.blogspot thestreetpeep.blogspot or californiastreets.blogspot. Maybe
they should give this car its own address.