Parts Runners of the Past

"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4) 11/02/2020 at 19:00 • Filed to: None

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Thanks to an exchange I had with atfsgeoff yesterday, I started reminiscing about some of the shopping plazas where I grew up. Specifically, the hardware stores and auto part stores. A stroll through Google Street V iew jogged my memory of something interesting.

Up until the late ‘00s, regional auto part stores seemed to dominate the area ( I hadn’t been to an AutoZ one until ~2011 or so ). National Auto was store we went to in the ‘90s to mid ‘00s, with the occasional trip to A&A Auto.

One thing that stood out in particular was their choice in parts runners. This store seemed to have a thing for Mazdas ( I believe the Sundance was an employee car ).  I do appreciate that it appears the passenger seat was removed in the 323.            

Notice the old Ames in the background.

National Auto Stores is still around, but this location closed sometime in 2012 or so. The 323 was there until the end.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Boxer_4 11/02/2020 at 19:09

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One of the local parts places here uses a PT Cruiser. 

Boxer_4 > BaconSandwich is tasty. 11/02/2020 at 19:31

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That seems like a practical choice to be honest. 

Urambo Tauro > Boxer_4 11/02/2020 at 19:31

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When I think of parts runner vehicles, I think of the old NAPA hat trucks. Th ey always stood out from the rest.

Boxer_4 > Urambo Tauro 11/02/2020 at 19:47

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Where I lived previously, all the Napa trucks but one wore hats.

Kiltedpadre > Urambo Tauro 11/02/2020 at 19:47

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This reminded me of finding an old NAPA D50 I found for sale that still had the hat.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Boxer_4 11/02/2020 at 21:05

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Lower purchase price (probably bought from someone's grandmother because nobody else in the family wanted it). Decent cargo space, and fairly low running costs. As much as we rag on them, it probably is a good choice.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Urambo Tauro 11/02/2020 at 22:25

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I think they stopped using the hats in many locations but I don’t know why. They were distinctive and whimsical in a fun way.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Boxer_4 11/02/2020 at 22:26

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Wait, can you access historical streetview images from Google Earth Pro? How did you get those screenshots?

Boxer_4 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/02/2020 at 23:17

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Not sure about Google Earth Pro, this was from Google Maps.

Just click the clock-icon-thing in areas that have had multiple passes.  

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Boxer_4 11/02/2020 at 23:31

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I never knew that. Woah, now I’m really curious.