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The 1946 Super DeLuxe Ford.

Ford Sedan cost $1,074

The war ended and new cars started to arrive at the Seaview Garage in 1946. Most were built in ’45, but dealers referred to them as 1946 models. A black sedan with a new engine, a 59A 85 h.p. V/8. Wow.

Sometime in 1946, Charles Langille sold the Seaview Garage to Edward Soule. Soon afterward “Ed” started to expand the garage with unattractive additions. The first was to the north end, a 2-bay lubrication pit; then to the west, to the edge of Station Street. Most of the neighbors thought the additions were ugly!

The garage continued to sell gas (Tydol) and oil (Veedol). There was a large Tydol/Veedol sign hanging from a bracket on the roof, with a flying horse in the center. Gas price was about 15 cents per gallon in 1946. In 1949 it was 17 cents, in 1950 it was 18 cents, and in 1959, 25 cents. I can remember 5 gallons for a dollar!

There was a waiting list for a 1946 Super DeLuxe Ford. Those that could pay under the counter didn’t wait long! The 1946 thru 1948 looked much the same, some chrome changes and parking light relocations. In 1948, four new colors were added.

In ’48, I was 14 and knew about everything to know about a Ford car, so I thought! A 1948 Ford Sportsman convertible came in. “Oh wow, this is the best Ford ever!” Wood side panels, tan convertible top, white walls, red leather seats, a spot light, a radio, a 100 h.p. engine, and hydraulic lift windows. Also a Colombia 2-speed rear end. Oh ya, I knew what a 2-speed was — some of the contractors’ dump trucks had them. If you didn’t shift them correctly, oh what a grind! The cost of the Sportsman was over $2,000. Fat chance I’d ever own one!

by Ray Freden
Originally published in the Marshfield Mariner, February 4, 2009

Ford Super Deluxe Sportsman cost $1,982.
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WWII Air Raid Patrols & Military Convoys

There was an air raid horn mounted atop the Seaview Garage roof. It was tested every week at night. My Dad was a warden. The horn would sound and scare the —- out of me! Dad would don his air raid outfit, a helmet, an armband, a flashlight, dark clothing, a nightstick, a whistle and a notebook.

He patrolled from the Seaview Garage to the O’Donnells’ at 90 Summer Street.

The wardens were to be responsible for all lights out and no driving of cars. One time a car came down Summer Street during the test and my Dad stopped the driver. He said, “Harry you can’t drive. Pull over to the side and wait for the all clear.” Harry responded, “Bill, go to Hell,” and drove off. Dad never reported him as he should have. Harry apologized later.

When my Dad was on his air raid patrol beat, he would pass our house (189 Summer Street) and give a little flash of his light to the special window, where I’d be sitting, watching and waiting, on the second floor landing. This window had a clear center with different color stained glass around the border. I could see clearly to Central Ave, near the bottom of 4th Cliff during the day.

During the war years, military convoys would come down Summer Street past the Seaview Garage and past my house, sometimes during the day. That’s when I would wait until they passed, then run into the house, up the stairs to my window, and watch them moving slowly up Central Ave. in Humarock. They were going to the Air Force Base on 4th Cliff. At night, it was a different story. When a convoy came through at night, one could barely hear or see them, with no lights on or very small slits on their headlights. After they passed, I would take my Dad’s binoculars, go to my window, and try to see them approaching the Cliff — usually with no luck. I always thought enemy subs or ships were off 4th Cliff, and so reinforcements were sent to the base. It was pretty scary for an 8 or 9 year old!

Convoy stopped on Summer St. for a break, c.1944.

 

by Ray Freden
Originally published in the Marshfield Mariner, January 21, 2009

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The Seaview Garage

The Seaview Garage was built in the early 1900s by Edgar Willey. Mr Willey sold Graham Paige and Jewett automobiles. Mr. Willey opened the garage summers only. Edgar Willey married Susan Tilden Carver of the Barstow Carver family. In c.1820, Barstow built the Cape Cod style home at 110 Elm Street. In later years, Edgar & Susan would live there summers. This home was never out of the Carver family until my wife & I purchased it May 28, 1971.

In 1919, Edgar Willey sold the garage to Charles Langille of 207 Summer Street. Charlie ran it as a gas station and repair shop. Charlie did not work there: he was the owner/manager. Charlie was in the insurance business and very active in town affairs. He was a selectman and an officer in the Marshfield Fair.

The Jewett was a less expensive auto than the Graham Paige.

In the 1940s, the only employee I remember was James Lambert of 35 Station Street. Across the street from where I lived (189 Summer Street) Jim would walk to work in the morning, back home for lunch, then back to the garage. I was too young to go to the garage alone, but my Mom would sometimes escort me to buy a candy bar — that is, when we had an extra 5 cents!

I’m not sure when Charlie acquired a Ford dealership. I remember he always had a new car. I was becoming a car nut, trucks too. Now that I was 6 years old, I could go to the Seaview Garage alone, but had to walk on Station Street, not Summer Street. Summer Street was a state road and very busy. It makes me laugh today — busy was maybe 20 cars a day.

 

The original Seaview Garage, Summer St. with a 1920 Dodge/Paige wrecker. The Langille residence in the background.
Seaview Ma. Charles Langille.

 

 

 

Front line, 1933 or 4 Fords.
                             Rr, 1931 ”A”

The Seaview Garage was my hangout after school and weekends. Remember, there were no kids in Seaview my age. There were other reasons for hanging out — the candy counter, the Coke machine, the warm pot-bellied stove in the winter, the cars, and Eula. Eula was Charlie’s daughter, 12 years older than I and she always treated me nice. I remember not having a nickel for a candy bar but I always seemed to end up with 2or 3 pieces of a Skybar or the green Necco wafers.

The office was to the left of the huge metal overhead door that was operated with a chain — what a clatter it made opening and closing. The office had a large window in the front corner were Pansy Hayes sat at a large desk. Pansy was the book-keeper and lived on South River Street. My Mom would buy fresh eggs at the Hayes farm. I was always allowed behind the counter to sit on the swivel chair and spin around.

Charles C. Langille standing beside a 1923 Jewett auto. Credits: Ad and photo, courtesy of the Langille family.

by Ray Freden
Originally published in the Marshfield Mariner, January 7, 2009