The Beatles' Hamburg Van

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:03 am

I have located an old photo of Temple Street in Liverpool which I think was taken in 1960. Parked outside the Iron door Club is what appears to be The Beatles' Hamburg van. While it could, of course, be any van, your comments would be appreciated. You can find the post here.

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:21 am

Great shot Peter.

Can't offer anything helpful, but the photo struck a melancholy chord in me. Although the fella's did rather well, perhaps their lives would have been "better" had they not rode the Beatlemania train to fame, fortune, turmoil, lawyers, murder and disease.

It's almost sad to see a young Lennon standing there at a time in his life where he must have been full of hope, desire and excitement.

Jeez, must be the rain.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:25 am

Poignant pics, Peter.

They had a ride in life that few humans ever experience, and at a time when they could not isolate themselves like so many celebs do today.

There was good, and it was incredible. There was tragedy of the worst sort, too.

I could not imagine a better life for any of them. I just wish John and George were still around.

karl_teten · Post by **karl_teten** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:17 am

I wonder where that old van might be today? Probably smashed into kipper cans.

I remember reading back in the 90's that someone found Buddy Holly's old sports car still sitting in the Lubbock wrecking yard on the outskirts of town. It was purchased and being restored.

Can you imagine what the value of The Beatles touring van would be restored?

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:18 am

Great shot, Peter. I recall seeing the 'hoisted' van photo shot somewhere before. Not the most 'road worthy' looking vehicle I've ever seen...but they were probably lucky to have any wheels at all at the time.

Karl, as a Lubbockite, the car was restored about a year ago.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:00 pm

What kind of car was it, do you recall, Stan?

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:10 pm

As I recall, Paul, it was a convertible Caddy. I saw it only once, and I say it was about a year ago, maybe longer. A local bought it and had it restored.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:10 pm

As I recall, Paul, it was a convertible Caddy. I saw it only once, and I say it was about a year ago, maybe longer. A local bought it and had it restored.

Edit here...No, it wasn't a Caddy, it was a '58 Chevy. The owner is a fellow by the name of Bill Clement. He had it restored and it was nearly three years ago. My timing is way off. Of course, things I think that happened to me two weeks ago actually happened six months ago.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:21 pm

So he had a pair of Caddies?

Just foolin'.

I do remember seeing a film (LaBamba?) where Holly was shown as entering a Cadillac showroom in NYC and purchasing a specially-built Caddy convertible. The car used in the film was Cadillac LeMans #4, built for Bud Goodman, owner of Dixon Cadillac in Hollywood, CA. It is still owned by his son, Jack. Goodman was a personal friend of GM Pres Harley Earl, from their youthful days growing up in SoCal together.

The car shown in the movie was an anachronism, having still been in construction when Holly died.

I suspect that the REAL Holly Caddy was an Eldorado Biarritz convertible.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:23 pm

I knew Bill Clement. He owned a Chevy wrecking yard on Quirt in Lubbock, called "Chevycraft". He was source of many parts for my Nomad restos in the late '70s and early '80s.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:31 pm

I think it 'tis the same fellow. He bought a small radio station here, KDAV, he licensed the old call letters of the station when Buddy did the roller rink shows on the radio. At about the same time he purchased the station, he had the '58 Chevy restored with the help of a local shop, Bigham Automotive.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:12 pm

I went to school at Texas Tech in Lubbock (BSME '83). Ralph DeWitt of Ralph's Records was a friend of mine. He used to sell white pickets from Buddy Holly's childhood home to French tourist groups that came to Lubbock every year. After the originals ran out, Ralph had to find more suitably old looking pickets to sell!

winston · Post by **winston** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:19 pm

Ah! The world wonderful world of commerce. "Come and get yer pickets here. Yep they're the real thing" That's the funniest thing that I have read in days Randy.

Mind you when you have to hang out with lawyers and accountants...well you get the picture.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:30 pm

Randy, needless to say you and I have discussed Lubbock before, but it just so happens I saw old Ralph today. Didn't know you knew him. His store is still goin' and some hard to find things are still available from him, like his vinyl collection.
BTW, plan to be at this year Guitar Show in Arlington.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:56 am

Stan, it's been over twenty years since I've seen Ralph. I doubt he'd remember me. I remember when he cornered the market on still sealed 8-tracks. Everyone thought he was crazy, but I'm sure he made money on them. Glad to hear you'll be in Arlington. We should have 6-8 Forum members there for the weekend. See you there!