Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/551480
A s I take the relaxing drive to Salinas, I wonder what meeting Andy Southard Jr. will be like. I was told he is 82 and an amazing photographer who got his first 35mm camera when he was stationed in Munich, Germany, after WWII in 1953. He put out five books of hot rod and custom cars photos and did painting on cars as well as many other cool things. I was intrigued. Andy and Patty Southard were married in the 1950's house they live in today. Patty was his answering service gal for one year when she finally decid- ed to date Southard, "I knew it was against the rules to date the clients, but after talking to this guy for over a year, I knew I just had to meet him." On their hallway walls and in the media room are some 88 framed, autographed photos of movie stars that Southard has collected over a life- time, and cabinets filled with prized mementos from celebrity friends. In the bedroom are walls of awards for car shows showing his maroon 1940 chopped Mercury Coupe with a custom V-8 engine, and automatic trans- mission, which he still owns. Framed prominently in the living room are three photos of Southard's. To my utmost surprise is that 1955 iconic night shot of Mel's Diner that we all recognize. Southard was the photographer. The other two photos that share that special space are 1950s' photos of Main Street Salinas, complete with cars of that decade, taken with his 35mm Leica. The Mel's Diner shot also graced the cover of the Salinas phone book back in 1963. Two items in his display cabinet are dear to his heart. One is a mug designed by Sammy McKim. Reflecting back to his childhood at the Lyric Movie Theatre in Pennsylvania, Southard was enthralled by the first chap- 202 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 5 A Life of Legendar y Fr iends, Car s and Camer as B Y M A R J O R I E S N O W Andy Southard Photo: Kelli Uldall Photographer Andy Southard Jr. of Salinas has had an amazing career pin-striping cars, boats and airplanes, writing and photographing for car magazines, and producing automobilia books.