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HARLAN OSBORNE
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| Jim's truck can be seen to the right of the The Pharaohs |
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| Jim stands proudly with his '41 truck. Photo: Scott Manchester Argus-Courier Staff |
With the classic car show season
rapidly approaching, many Petaluma car buffs are getting prepared by
busily detailing, polishing and fine tuning their well-preserved hot
rods, custom cars and roadsters. Motivated by a rock ’n’ roll
soundtrack, they’re eager to turn back the clock to their coolest
memories of toolin’ town by celebrating Cruisin’ the Boulevard’s annual
Salute to American Graffiti on May 21. And since the homegrown car show
and parade is all about reliving cherished car-culture memories, I asked
lifelong Petaluma resident Jim Bergstrom, a 1958 graduate of Petaluma
High School, about his recollections of that era.
While
you may not recognize Bergstrom on the street, it’s quite possible
you’ve noticed his eye-catching, fire-engine red 1941 Ford pickup, which
he’s been toolin’ around in since he bought it in 1960. His pickup was
also featured in a memorable scene from the movie “American Graffiti,”
shot on Kentucky Street, where Curt (Richard Dreyfuss), encounters the
Pharaohs.
The pristine
pickup is also showcased in artist Elise Durenberger’s current
promotional poster for the upcoming event, along with the iconic ’58
Chevy Impala, the ’56 T-Bird, and the yellow deuce coupe from the 1972
movie.
If he ever chose
to, Bergstrom might consider opening a “Petaluma Graffiti” information
booth, or conducting tours of Petaluma’s long-forgotten businesses and
landmarks. Living here since he was 9 months old, the 76-year-old
retired pipe fitter certainly knows his way around, having resided in 12
different locations around town and attended seven schools: Pepper
Kindergarten, Phillip Sweed, Lincoln Primary, Washington Grammar, McNear
Elementary School, Petaluma Junior High School and Petaluma High
School.
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| (Click on pics to enlarge) |
“I
think I knew just about everybody in town, which made it really easy to
get a job,” said Bergstrom, without explaining why he changed jobs so
often.
With
attention focused on Cruisin’ the Boulevard’s parade of classic cars at
the end of the day, Bergstom recalls stories from the good old days
when the sound of squealing tires, peeling out, or “burning rubber”
pierced the calm night air. He’s a throwback to those
not-on-our-best-behavior days, admitting to the time he “just lit ‘em
up” in front of Lund’s Drive-In and left a screaming trail of rubber, a
performance that was witnessed by a traffic cop who didn’t buy his
inevitable excuse of “my throttle stuck” and resulted in a disturbing
the peace charge. And another incident, where he “smoked the tires” at a
traffic light, before looking around and spotting his father in the car
next to his.
In 1960,
Bergstrom accepted a $2.37 an hour job as a pipe fitter at Mare Island
Naval Shipyard, which blossomed into a 30-year career. He and his wife
of almost 54 years, Leslie, were married May 25, 1962, which makes
Cruisin’ the Boulevard’s question, “Where were you in ’62?” an easy one
for him to answer.
Jim I luv ya man! thanks for your hospitality. It was a pleasure meeting your wife, son & Connor at Petaluma Celebrates American Graffiti 2016. - Kip
~ FINI ~
NOTES: ________________________________________
http://www.petaluma360.com/entertainment/5604520-181/petaluman-recollects-cruising-the-boulevard?artslide=0
