Topic: What's the Story? #460 - LA Auction of Fire-Damaged Auto Show Cars - 1929

[Otto Puzzell]

For one point: Identify the place and year this photo was taken, and the reason these vehicles are here.

Only a correct, complete and specific answer will earn a point; tag-on's to other guesses will not. So, be specific and complete!
  

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[karguy]

1929 Fire damaged auto auction

[Otto Puzzell]

I need the place (where was the picture taken?), and 1929  is incorrect. But you've got the right general idea.

[karguy]

Ronald Washington?

[Otto Puzzell]

No, not there. This place doesn't get as much rain.

[karguy]

LA auto show fire.

[Otto Puzzell]

For one point: Identify the place and year this photo was taken, and the reason these vehicles are here.

Only a correct, complete and specific answer will earn a point; tag-on's to other guesses will not. So, be specific and complete!

[karguy]

Boy.. you guys are tough!  It is 1929 and the L.A. auto show fire burned most of the cars on display after multiple large tents caught fire and wind swept flames raced through the show. Over the next few weeks the debris was cleaned up and the cars moved to a central location where they were catalogued, claimed and appraised and then sold off for scrap.

[Otto Puzzell]

OK, you get your well-earned first point. 

You know more about this fire than I do - the source where I found it indicated 1930. I suppose the cars could still be there the following year. The LA times reported about the March 9, 1929 fire:

Fire starting from a smoldering cigarette broke out at the Los Angeles Auto Show at 4:10 p.m. yesterday, and a half hour later the $1,250,000 display at the corner of Washington and Hill streets, housed in four huge tents, was a mass of smoking embers, charred wood, blazing rubber and twister steel. The loss is covered by a blanket insurance police, officials of the show stated.

The flames originated, according to investigators, in or near the display of the Monocoupe Company, in the northeast corner of Tent No. 2, just in rear of the offices of the show, and near the restrooms…..

When the fire was discovered it was a small red trickle leaping up the hangings to the top of the tent. The flames soon burned a hole in the canvas and the wind whipped the blaze to a fury and it leaped from tent top to tent top.

Firemen, stationed at the show, made a futile attempt to halt the blaze with the use of the extinguishers scattered about the four tents, but found themselves powerless in the first few moments.

Approximately 2500 spectators were in the four tents when the call of fire was sounded, and there appeared to be no stampede to reach the exits….

Light explosions, as gasoline tanks burst on account of the heat, and heavy tires ignited, adding a light hazard to the attempt of the firemen to move some of the cars from the fire.

A pic of the fire aftermath:

[ropat53]

The one-off 1929 Auburn Cabin Speedster was among the cars that were destroyed in the fire.
This is a picture of the car at the Chicago Auto Show, a recreation has been made of the car.