When Harvey’s Broiler opened at 7447 Firestone Blvd in Downey in 1958, the Googie-style combination coffee shop, restaurant, and drive-in was the largest of its type in Southern California. The car at the far right is a 1957 Chevrolet convertible, so I’m guessing this photo was taken just after the opening and just before Harvey’s became a hub of the Californian cruising culture as shown in the movie “American Graffiti.” The place lasted until 2007, when it was illegally demolished. The Bob’s Big Boy chain rebuilt it as close to the original as possible, for which they received a Conservancy Preservation Award in 2010.
I remember Harvey’s.
Great burgers and malts.
The Biggest drawback in the 1960’s was getting a ticket from the Downey P.D. when leaving the parking lot. Every kid got a ticket for “something” when leaving that parking lot!
My friends and I NEVER got tickets—maybe because we were a car full of high school girls—ha ha—Candy apple green ’54 Chevy.
We were from the South Bay and also cruised Hawthorne Blvd from Torrance to The Witch Stand in Baldwin Hills.
Those were great times before times changed and now even driving in your car has become dangerous.
So Sad
I was a member of the Cavaliers car club from Lakewood and we were always being pulled over by Downey police and told to go back to Lakewood I drove 58 Impala white with hydralics and Astro supremes Bellflower was another great place to cruise same story with the police tho
Had some friends in the Mercifuls car club in the late ’60s that I used to meet up with at Harveys. We always waited for the PD shift change to leave the place in order to avoid getting a ticket for something.
We use to cruise harveys on Saturday night looking for races after coming
from lions drag strip. Yes the P.D. was around the corner just waiting. Good memories and a good time
Hey! I cruised Harvey’s at least 6 times every night before I went home to show my cars off I
Had a 1960 Pontiac Ventura candy apple red and a 1964 Buick reveira yellow a special ordered yellow from the factory two very beautiful cars the undercarriage on both cars was painted a CB pistol pearl white hard to keep clean but worth the effort. To look cool!!!
Wow, what a trip down memory lane! I cruised Harvey’s often during 1967-68 in my new ’67 Camaro. You really had to have an outstanding custom to park in the car hop section or risk getting shamed by one of the owners of the show cars that frequented Harvey’s. Many of the cars were trailered in on weekends to claim the choice spots. It was a wonderful time for an 18 year old car nut like me and my buddies. I only wish that I had taken up photography earlier and captured some of those times. But it shows what happens when you turn 72 – you cruise the senior dinner at Denny’s in a Pacifica.
I used to live in north Long Beach. My friends in Oceanside would drive up on weekends to cruise Harvey’s . He had a 63 dodge polara blue in color 383 4 speed. My other friend had 63 dodge center post 383 with 4 speed and Schneider racking cam in his. Always looking to race..
“Oh What A Night” is a song by The Four Seasons, released in December 1975. The song was written by Bob Gaudio and Judy Parker and produced by Gaudio. It became a big hit for the group, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in March 1976.
The song is a nostalgic look back at a memorable night at Harvey’s December 1963, when I met Nancy Madsen who left a lasting impression on me. The lyrics describe the excitement and anticipation of that evening, as well as the lingering memories of the Nancy who captured the my heart.
The catchy melody and upbeat tempo of “Oh What A Night” have made it a classic of the disco era, and it continues to be a popular party song to this day.
Cruiser Harvey’s all the time back in the 60’s. Got pulled over in the parking lot in my 62 Chevrolet for turning right on a red light from Firestone to Old River School Rd.
Iam almost positive that I knew Harvey Ortner in the early 1940’s, Just one of the kids on the block, it was war time, and we were all ‘latch key’ kids. while our parents were busy working for the ‘war effort’. his parents were in the Restuarant business at that time. I have lots of great memories of that time and often thought about those days. and the kids on the block! Some really fun times and memories. I am 93 years old, and often thought of those days so long ago, just wondering if Harvey is the ‘Harvey i remember.
I did the Harveys cruise and hung out there pretty much throughout 64-66. The custom cars, the pavement scratching low riders, even the hotrods that came through….. What an experience! A totally unique place that will never be duplicated. Many, many fond memories.
During 1961-62 at Harveys, I recall Saturday nights being so crowded with cruising cars that by the time I made it through, my car would be overheating.
When Harvey’s Broiler opened at 7447 Firestone Blvd in Downey in 1958, the Googie-style combination coffee shop, restaurant, and drive-in was the largest of its type in Southern California. The car at the far right is a 1957 Chevrolet convertible, so I’m guessing this photo was taken just after the opening and just before Harvey’s became a hub of the Californian cruising culture as shown in the movie “American Graffiti.” The place lasted until 2007, when it was illegally demolished. The Bob’s Big Boy chain rebuilt it as close to the original as possible, for which they received a Conservancy Preservation Award in 2010.
I have been there, and it is a gem. It’s worth supporting, so when we are able to go out again, take a trip there for a burger.
I remember Harvey’s.
Great burgers and malts.
The Biggest drawback in the 1960’s was getting a ticket from the Downey P.D. when leaving the parking lot. Every kid got a ticket for “something” when leaving that parking lot!
Wow, Richard, makes me wonder what you kids were up to! Or at least what the DPD thought you were up to!
Got nailed driving out of the parking lot in 1968 in my ’53 Chevy for being too low, too loud, and too loaded!
Got nailed driving out of the parking lot in 1968 in my ’53 Chevy for being too low, too loud, and too loaded!
Your car couldn’t be any lower than a pack of cigarettes.
My friends and I NEVER got tickets—maybe because we were a car full of high school girls—ha ha—Candy apple green ’54 Chevy.
We were from the South Bay and also cruised Hawthorne Blvd from Torrance to The Witch Stand in Baldwin Hills.
Those were great times before times changed and now even driving in your car has become dangerous.
So Sad
I was a member of the Cavaliers car club from Lakewood and we were always being pulled over by Downey police and told to go back to Lakewood I drove 58 Impala white with hydralics and Astro supremes Bellflower was another great place to cruise same story with the police tho
Had some friends in the Mercifuls car club in the late ’60s that I used to meet up with at Harveys. We always waited for the PD shift change to leave the place in order to avoid getting a ticket for something.
We use to cruise harveys on Saturday night looking for races after coming
from lions drag strip. Yes the P.D. was around the corner just waiting. Good memories and a good time
Hey! I cruised Harvey’s at least 6 times every night before I went home to show my cars off I
Had a 1960 Pontiac Ventura candy apple red and a 1964 Buick reveira yellow a special ordered yellow from the factory two very beautiful cars the undercarriage on both cars was painted a CB pistol pearl white hard to keep clean but worth the effort. To look cool!!!
And I’m sure it looked very cool!
Wow, what a trip down memory lane! I cruised Harvey’s often during 1967-68 in my new ’67 Camaro. You really had to have an outstanding custom to park in the car hop section or risk getting shamed by one of the owners of the show cars that frequented Harvey’s. Many of the cars were trailered in on weekends to claim the choice spots. It was a wonderful time for an 18 year old car nut like me and my buddies. I only wish that I had taken up photography earlier and captured some of those times. But it shows what happens when you turn 72 – you cruise the senior dinner at Denny’s in a Pacifica.
Hey Richard, you may not have photos of that time to share, but you’ve sure got some wonderful memories.
My dad ran that restaurant for
Mister other. And in Lynnwood, he was the head chef for him until he retire in 11965.
He sure did i saw him many times. Many of my friends hung out at harveys. They had great food
My dad ran that restaurant for Mister other. And in Lynnwood, he was the head chef for him until he retire in 1965. And I never posted it?
I remember going to Harveys in 1965 before I left for vietnam. It is a great memory for me indeed.
And what a great memory to take with you.
I used to live in north Long Beach. My friends in Oceanside would drive up on weekends to cruise Harvey’s . He had a 63 dodge polara blue in color 383 4 speed. My other friend had 63 dodge center post 383 with 4 speed and Schneider racking cam in his. Always looking to race..
“Oh What A Night” is a song by The Four Seasons, released in December 1975. The song was written by Bob Gaudio and Judy Parker and produced by Gaudio. It became a big hit for the group, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in March 1976.
The song is a nostalgic look back at a memorable night at Harvey’s December 1963, when I met Nancy Madsen who left a lasting impression on me. The lyrics describe the excitement and anticipation of that evening, as well as the lingering memories of the Nancy who captured the my heart.
The catchy melody and upbeat tempo of “Oh What A Night” have made it a classic of the disco era, and it continues to be a popular party song to this day.
Cruised Harvey’s in my 1956 Chevy and my boyfriends Plymouth custom car Ron dulin a member of the cut outs car club
Beth
Cruiser Harvey’s all the time back in the 60’s. Got pulled over in the parking lot in my 62 Chevrolet for turning right on a red light from Firestone to Old River School Rd.
Iam almost positive that I knew Harvey Ortner in the early 1940’s, Just one of the kids on the block, it was war time, and we were all ‘latch key’ kids. while our parents were busy working for the ‘war effort’. his parents were in the Restuarant business at that time. I have lots of great memories of that time and often thought about those days. and the kids on the block! Some really fun times and memories. I am 93 years old, and often thought of those days so long ago, just wondering if Harvey is the ‘Harvey i remember.
It certainly sounds like if could be the same guy!
I would like to receive a comment. I have often wondered if this is the same Harvey I remember. Really, I think it is.
I used to cruise there in my 1957 Chevy Belair…last time was in my 1963 lifted Ford Galaxie in summer of 1967
I used to cruise there in .last time was in my 1963 lifted Ford Galaxie in summer of 1967
I cruised there …the last time was the Summer of 1967…in my lifted 1963 Ford Galaxy before that was in my lowered 1957 Chevy Belair
I did the Harveys cruise and hung out there pretty much throughout 64-66. The custom cars, the pavement scratching low riders, even the hotrods that came through….. What an experience! A totally unique place that will never be duplicated. Many, many fond memories.
I grew up in south gate my dad worked for the city and my mom worked in a factory.Had many good times cursing Harveys.
During 1961-62 at Harveys, I recall Saturday nights being so crowded with cruising cars that by the time I made it through, my car would be overheating.