Looking at used cars in 1937, Trenton, New Jersey


I stumbled across a couple of wonderful old photos on the Duke University site yesterday, and since I love looking at old cars, I decided to immerse myself, and time travel. Let's go look at used cars in 1937 in Trenton, New Jersey.

We're on State Street looking towards the Moose Lodge, at Carol Street. Well, you may be looking towards the Moose Lodge, I'm looking at Balderston's Used Cars.


Hang on a minute, before we look at the cars, I want to take a closer look at the billboards. It looks like smoking White Owl cigars will get a pretty girl to kiss you, they're easier on your breath. And for my money, it's Buick again!


It's 1937, so this is during the Great Depression, and money is tight. Luckily, we're from the 21st Century, so we can buy whatever we want. Looks like Chrysler is invading the low-priced field! And I've seen that billboard "World's Highest Standard of Living" which seems a stark contrast to the number of people who were still in breadlines, and out of work. By the way, the lot is for sale from the billboard company, R.C. Maxwell. From here west 170 feet. I'm sure that we could afford to buy the lot AND all of the cars!


Here's another view, looking along Carol Street. Yeah, I checked Google Street View and nothing has remained, except of course the street names. I'm no expert on cars of that era, so if you recognize a make a model, let me know and I'll update the post. Here, I'll zoom in a bit.


What? Are you still looking at the White Owl cigar billboard? Pay attention! I like that little roadster there under the "It's Buick again" sign. And I just noticed the Pontiac billboard on the left. "What? Only 15 cents a day?" We can afford anything here!


Isn't it fun being in 1937? There's no way like the American Way! And there's something I've never seen before: the stop sign also says "street". I wonder why?


OK, I can tell that you can't make up your mind which car to get, so we'll get 'em all. I'm sure we can hire a truck somewhere for cheap. I wonder what the driver will say when we tell him that we need them to go to the 21st Century? We may have to tip him an extra nickel!
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