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CARLV12 Blog
The CARLV12 Blog is intended to reflect and document the commercial and industrial arts, and urban design of the 1950’s to the 1970’s. The topics will primarily focus on architecture, neon and vintage signage, and automobiles.


Doo Wop: Building the Sound into Neon and Concrete
The Wildwoods, NJ The Wildwoods is a five-mile island on the southern Jersey Shore, famous for its massive free beaches and action-packed boardwalk. The 1950s and 60s beach vibe in The Wildwoods is all about "Doo Wop" culture - a mix of post-WWII optimism and space-age excitement. It’s a total time capsule of neon lights, pastel colors, and vintage architecture that celebrates America's golden age of summer road trips. The island is made up of three main towns: Wildwood: The
2 days ago


Tiki: A Playful Getaway into the Magic of the South Pacific
Tonga Apartments - Ventura, CA Tiki culture is a uniquely American daydream about the South Pacific - part fantasy, part nostalgia, and entirely about escape. It first emerged in the 1930s and really took off after World War II, when returning GIs brought home scattered impressions of islands they’d visited or heard about. Bars like Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic’s took those impressions and turned them into fully immersive environments: rooms glowing with pufferfish lamp
May 18


NEWSLETTER
2026 - 2nd Quarter News We hope everyone is having a nice spring. It has already reached 110 degrees here in Palm Springs, but has recently settled into the high 80s - low 90s. Since shipping fees from the US are constantly changing, we are currently shipping all items free of charge to the US and Canada, and unframed fine art prints to the UK. Photo retirement Lucky Boy Motel We're listing the top 5 closest to retiring. Lucky Boy Motel 95 In-N-Out Burger II 94 Pink Cad
Apr 11


The Giants of the American Road: Muffler Men
Big Josh - Joshua Tree, CA If you’ve ever been cruising down a quiet American highway and suddenly noticed a 20-foot fiberglass dude staring back at you from the roadside, welcome to the world of Muffler Men . These larger-than-life figures, usually standing 18 to 25 feet tall, began popping up in the early 1960s as a way for gas stations, tire shops, and muffler shops to get noticed. And honestly? It worked. Built from molded fiberglass with broad shoulders, a stern expressi
Mar 20
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