What we have today is another chance for armchair traveling, thanks to a series of snapshots from what looks like a vacation to Las Vegas in the early 1970s. And while the traffic is fairly light (Yeap, less cars back in the ’70s!) there’s actually a lot to see car wise in these shots. Especially if you like American iron from the period.
We start with the above photo taken from the passenger’s seat. The Tropicana Casino is off in the distance, and we got some Pentastar products on the National Car Rental on the left, plus what looks like a Rambler entering the intersection on the right. And of course, the boattail Riviera and the Pinto are easy to spot. See anything else?
As usual with these images found online, there’s no info on who or when. That said, I assume it was a family on vacation and my favorite images are the ones taken from inside of what I assume was their ride. This particular one shows a Torino and what looks like an Olds Custom Cruiser, both in blurry motion.
A bit more of traffic action, now with the Sahara Casino in view. And is that an Imperial about to make a left turn to see Johnny Mathis?
Looks like these tourists finally stepped out of the car, with the next couple of shots taken in the same location. Perhaps where they were staying?
A late ’60s ‘Bird can be seen speeding by the road, though of more interest to me is the Datsun pickup and the unidentifiable import parked next to the white Mustang. About which, there are hardly any imports in these images. But that might have to do with Las Vegas being a tourist attraction… Imports of the early ’70s were improving, yes, but if you were riding from Chicago, a US-built highway cruiser was the tool for the mission.
Shot number two from the same spot shows a late ’50s Mercury wagon (a Curbside Classic!), and yet one more Mustang in the distance. Curious to see the camper/home pickup too (Save on lodging, gamble more away for those fellas!)
Last shot of the sequence that I found, and I guess they all belong to someone who rode with this stylish group. If so, thanks for the memories fellas! And good luck with your bets!
That ’72 Ford taxi appears to have a roof top a/c unit like seen on a lot of big trucks.
This is a great series of photos! Not just for the vintage scenes, but also to be reminded of just what folks took photos of 50 years ago. I love the final shot of the people posing in front of the Hot Dog House – and also the woman’s briefcase (with attached umbrella, which was unlikely to be used in Las Vegas).
That last shot also gives a clue as to the date – the Oldsmobile’s license plate has a 1973 expiration sticker.
Image #1. I could be wrong, but my immediate reaction was that it is a VW Squareback.
That’s what I assumed until reading the text. Now I’m not sure!
Yes, it could be a Squareback. Hard to tell with the photo’s resolution.
When I first looked this morning, I assumed Volkswagen Type 3 Fastback. Assisted by the body length trim located above the wheel arches. And the size and shape of the bumper ends, and rocker panel trim. With the quarter window appearing to curve down, just as the photo ends to the right.
I was just entering college in L.A. at that time and we’d take road trips to Vegas often, particularly for spring break. We’d drive in up through the night in my buddy’s yellow ’74 Firebird Formulae 400. So, I can vividly remember the “then and now” differences. It was less frenetic in the 70s, although we wouldn’t have thought that then. And, ‘freebies’ abounded to get bodies in the casinos. We’d play blackjack at small storefront casinos located in places like the Hot Dog House with hand minimums at 25 cents, just to “loosen up” before we’d go big-time at the hotel casinos playing at the $2 tables! Different, indeed. I also remember staying at the Sands Hotel in the 60s as a youngster when my mother married my step-father. Jerry Lewis was the headliner and I got to hang around the casino periphery watching my step-father playing craps. An early education.
People were a lot thinner then.
That’s a great photo of a Riviera Boat Tail in traffic. I had a ’71 like that one, and drove it for a few years in the early ’90’s. It sure looked “distinctive” even back in the Day. It stood out even more in the ’90’s, which was the reason that I bought it!