Pontiac

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Navy Air Show – 1945

Back (l-r): Bob Reading, Smo Smolinsky, Dick West, Jack Seabolt, Norm Reid, Bill Plunkett, Skull Nelson, Wes Harper, Junior Locher; Front: Jack Simmerman, Bob Johnson, Mike Michaelson, Al Thorngren, Norm Schram, Hoot Nejdl, Ted Wallover.

I continue to scan photos that belonged to my Great Uncle and Aunt, Dave and Betty Donaldson. This one had names typed on the back. Chauncey “Mike” Michaelson married my Grandma’s sister, Dena Donaldson on 7 December 1943 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.

This photo says “Navy Air Show” at “NAS Santa Rosa, Calif.” on 31 March 1945. Dena and Mike had a son born 29 October 1944 in Brigham City, Utah.

The back of the card has the names written on it. I assume it is accurate as it was likely from the time, but the handwriting gives further definition. I can also tell there are a number of nicknames, so I wasn’t able to find most of the people listed in the photo. Either the name was too common or the name given is not sufficient.

Wes Harper – could be Wesley Raymon Harper (1922 – 1982) of Larned, Kansas.

Bob Johnson – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Junior Locher – could be Junior Lewis Locher (1919 – 2003) of Glasgow, Virginia.

Chauncey De Orr “Mike” Michaelson (1922 – 2006) of Montpelier, Idaho.

Hoot Nejdl – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Skull Nelson – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Bill Plunkett – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Bob Reading – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Norm Reid – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Norm Schram – could be Norman Hayner Schram (1922 – 2011) of Pontiac, Michigan.

Jack Seabolt – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Jack Simmerman – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Smo Smolinsky – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Al Thorngren – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Ted Wallover – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

Dick West – could not find anyone that seemed to fit.

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1962 Pontiac Bonneville

1962 Pontiac Bonneville in Richmond, Utah July 1963

I previously wrote about a 1958 Pontiac Bonneville in Preston, Idaho. That car belonged to Donald and Phyllis. Fast forward a few years to July 1963 (at least that is when the photos were developed) and you have this car.

This car was new to the Norwood and Colleen Jonas family. I recall seeing these photos when I was a young kid and that my Grandma mentioned that she loved this car. But that is the extent of my memories. I don’t know how long they had it, when it went away, why, or what replaced it.

1962 Pontiac Bonneville tail light
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1958 Bonneville

Once and a while, something in a photo catches your attention more than what the photo was intended to capture.  This is one such photo.

Doug and Sandy Jonas behind a 1958 Pontiac Bonneville with Phyllis McKinney Andra holding Vickie Andra

This photo is fun as it shows the back of a 1958 Pontiac Bonneville.  This car belonged to my Great Uncle Donald Andra.  Donald’s wife, Phyllis McKinney Andra, stands behind holding Vickie, who was born in September 1958.

Looking at Vickie, she could be pushing a year old, so fall of 1959.  Doug as born in 1952, Mom in 1954, which would put them at 7 and 5 years old at the time.  This is likely when the photo was taken.

Vickie was born in Preston, Idaho and her brother was also born there, this photo was at the Andra home in Preston at 422 East 400 South where Bill and Mary Andra lived and raised their family.  Donald and Phyllis must have been visiting as was Norwood and Colleen Jonas.

The 1958 Pontiac Bonneville was one of the classic space-race inspired, behemoth, beautiful, land yachts that were produced during the chrome infested heyday of flashy cars.

Larry indicates this car has a special lever that you could pull to raise the car so it was less prone to be stuck in snow drifts, or you could get out of them then.