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Vintage Machines
by Ken Handman
Old car heaven
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Allan Mest with his '40 Ford convertible, one of about 30 cars he owns and drives daily. Photo by Ken Handman |
If you are an "old car" collector or enthusiast, you probably attend car shows, auctions, cruise-ins and occasionally go to the Peterson Automotive museum. You also might visit special interest car museums while traveling, all in the pursuit of knowledge about your hobby.
If you have done this for many years, you get to a point where new places to visit start to get scarce. The thought of an interesting car venue as close as Gardena might sound improbable.
A couple of months ago, while interviewing Dave Rusher for the story about his Intermechanica Speedster, Alan Mest's name came up as the ultimate local car guy. Dave was surprised that I didn't know Alan, so while we were test driving the Porsche, we stopped by Alan's shop.
The shop building and side yards are a Disneyland of old cars, parts, restoration and conversation. The 20 some-odd cars that are on the premises are very interesting, but the parts are amazing. Stacked neatly, and covering about half of the 7,000 square foot shop is an incredible stock of new and used parts for old American cars. You can find every type of part that you can think of, also books, memorabilia, old gas pumps, neon signs and car hop trays from drive-in restaurants. My favorite item is an old Ford V8 flathead motor perched on top of a shelving unit. The engine is wearing a classic "3 deuce" manifold with the requisite Stromberg carburetors, dual point ignition and headers. Just like my first car. Sweet memories.
The place is so interesting that you just feel like hanging around for awhile. If you do, you will likely be rewarded with something that you haven't seen in this area in many decades -- men standing around, engaged in long conversations. The conversations are about old cars, or just as likely, about politics, real estate or children. Like the old days when people had more time.
Alan Mest is retired from the LA Fire Department. He has been in the old car business for 35 years, part time, while on the LAFD, than full time after retirement. While answering fire calls he found a number of collectable old cars in junk filled garages.
Frequently he offered to buy the car and in some cases remained life-long friends with the old people who sold him the car. Now he only works on the cars he likes and also rebuilds old engines.
Alan's customers run the gambit from celebrities, to executives, from retired guys, to mail order customers on the other side of the world. He bought his building in 1971 and has been there since. He has never placed an ad, but has a world wide reputation for parts and restoration. The mix of people who wander in during the day is about as interesting a group of folks (lots of codgers) as you would ever want to meet. Alan recalled a day recently when a particularly diverse group stood around talking. It was made-up of a Superior Court judge, a priest, an actor, two lawyers and the guy who picks-up Allan's junk parts. They were there to look for parts for their restorations, or just hang-out, no one was in a hurry to leave.
Speaking of restoration, all of Alan's personal cars, many on the premises, have been restored to daily driver condition. He isn't into show cars. He couldn't remember for sure, but thought he had about 30 cars that he alternates driving on a daily basis. It's about as eclectic a list of cars as you could imagine. And as far as I could determine, none of his cars are for sale. The only customer car in the shop was a wonderful '47 Chrysler Town and Country convertible with wood (station wagon type) sides.
Alan said he no longer has employees, but their is one fellow who seems to be there most of the time. Bernie is 72 and he is the guy who keeps the parts organized after Allan buys them at swap meets. Bernie doesn't volunteer a lot of information, so I never did find out if he just likes to hang out or what. Either Allan or Bernie knows where every part is located, no computer needed. Another interesting guy showed-up one of the times I was there. He is 78-year-old Ben Ehrlich, who has been driving his '34 Ford Phaeton on a daily basis for 25 years. By the ease of the conversation that started on his arrival, you would have to assume he stops by frequently.
I don't have the space in this column to describe all the cars and unique items, you will just have to visit for yourself. The location is 1712 Gramercy Place, Gardena. Phone (310) 532-8657. Some car clubs go there as a cruise destination. You may want to do the same.
The Project Touch/Easy Reader Car Show information line is now available. Call 323)290-3639 for entry forms and questions about the show. The event will be held October 22 at Clark Field in HB. This is the fifth year and it will be better than ever. New this year is a Harley Davidson section and a great local blues/rock band, the Rogues. Entry spaces have sold out each year, so get your entry in early. Next week's column will feature some cars, people and activities at the show. ER