Comments on: La Jolla – Car Goes Over Torrey Pines Cliff – Blacks Beach

By: Dick Robinson

Dick Robinson — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 07:31:58 +0000

It’s amazing how we remember things. we pushed cars off the cliffs 2 different times. My memory is this footage is the 1929 Jordon 4 door that was owned by Dick “Wings” Snyder. It had good tires, so we removed them. John scaled down the cliffs with his father’s 16mm Bell & Howell. Once in position, he signaled and we all gave the Jordon it’s final push. I think the model A episode was a few weeks before this Jordon show. But on the other hand, I have played your footage over and over in my mind many times and remember that you were south of the car while shooting not north as it shows here, so who’s memory is the winner? It’s still fun to watch after 60 years.

By: The Enabler

The Enabler — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:35:02 +0000

Kip Ives classic ‘Death of a Hudson’ is currently being featured on Surfer’s Journal homepage…check it out!!!!

By: John Gewalt

John Gewalt — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 02:14:35 +0000

OK, try 1949, JB Canfield, Bud Rutherford, Dick Robinson, Charles Gewalt and his younger brother getting together, towing a ‘31 Model “A” 2 door sedan (with a rope) from downtown LJ to Torry Pines, pushing it off the cliff and catching 12 rotations, count ‘em, 12 on 16mm film. Anybody earlier than this?

By: Jerry Troyer

Jerry Troyer — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:09:02 +0000

Steve is right. It was a 1948 Pontiac with the Indian Chief Hood ornament and a “straight” 6 or 8 engine. However, the car was not in good shape as it had “thrown a rod” and was banging like the piston was going to come up right through the hood.

John Collins did take it around a bit before steering it right up to the cliff and jumping out at the last moment. We were not sure initially whether or not he had gone over with the car. It was that close.

Normally, we would have put a brick on the gas pedal and lashed the steering wheel, but there was some reason, that I forget, as to why, on this night, this one was handled differently.

Can’t say it any better then Steve did, “those were fun years”.

By: steve shultz

steve shultz — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:46:25 +0000

I am really sad to hear about brud. Hope, Idaho is only about 85 miles north of my home in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. I wish I had known brud was so close. What happened anyway?
When I moved away from La Jolla in 1971, I have missed a lot of you guys. Maybe I’ll make it back. Where is Denny? I thought you wern’t talking to me anymore doug, after the “triumph” sports car fiasco. I was so screwed up on coke and booze at the time, I even lost my marriage over the whole deal.
Looking forward to coming for a visit.
Steve Shultz

By: Doug M.

Doug M. — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:14:44 +0000

Steve, where are you? Break out your old photos!!!!!