History of The Mile

1955

In 1955, the "Hunt" was re-discovered hidden behind the back wall of a grocery store in Ensenada. It was purchased by Lonnie Reed, an American, and brought back to San Diego where restoration was begun. It wasn't until an avid collector, Jim Renzulli, purchased the car that it was fully restored to running condition. Meanwhile, dealerships were flourishing along National Avenue and advertising themselves as the Mile of Cars. As Ford introduced its new overhead valve engine, E.M. Stanley opened Stanley Dodge-Plymouth and joined City Motors Ford (now Perry Ford). Concentrated between 12th and 18th Street were Westcott Motors, Glen Lincoln-Mercury (became Frank Lincoln-Mercury), Severin Pontiac (became Webster Pontiac) and the McCune dealership. City Motors was offering the new Ford Fairlane Sunliner for $2,764.00 in an ad in the National City Star News in 1955. A youthful generation was swept up by enthusiasm for cars. Along National Avenue, chopped, channeled, chromed and lowered customized cars were common. California was the center of the new car culture.

1904 • 1906 • 1920 • 1941 • 1955 • 1965 • 1970 • 1990s • Development