South Gate Chrysler (and used Japanese engines)

[SoundOff]

I decided to take a "road trip" today to the old Firestone Tire and Rubber factory in South Gate, CA to see if the Chrysler on that building was still there.

Well, it's still there so I took a few pictures.




Here's the address you're going to be looking for:


A little bit to the right and looking up:



I did notice that it's pointing a different direction than in the picture on Victory Siren.com taken back in May 2003. Hmm


Well, that was a good thing though. This Chrysler is missing it's engine but the direction it was facing pointed me to this place across the street:



Knowing kx250rider, I went to that used Japanese engine place the Chrysler pointed me to and asked if they had any diesel engines; preferably a Toyota engine. The only one they had there was a 2L-THE but sitting near it were some Mitsubishi 4M4 engines which looked capable of running the Chrysler siren.

I did ask if they could get any Toyota 1KZ-T engines and was told they expect some to arrive by mid January.

Their website is www.soshinusa.com

[EL1998P71]

Is that building vacant?
That's a sad looking siren.
It looks like it needs a foster home?

[SirenMadness]

Great find, Soundoff!

I really wonder as to what happened to the engine of that Chrysler.
Wind could have been a factor in rotating the siren.

[CABLEVision]

Wow what a find thanks for the photos
South gate many years ago was the center of California manufacturing as well as Beverly hills and Hollywood (ex holly wood plastics, king o' lawn, Rain Jet)

[SoundOff]

EL1998P71 : The building is actually occupied; currently the part with the Chrysler on it is being rented as warehouse space. You can see a white truck backing up to the loading dock in one picture. Another part is being used as an adult school and the third part is owned by Hon Office Furniture.

SirenMadness: According to Victory Siren, the engine was probably removed in the late 80's and probably went into someone's car. A lot of Chrysler sirens were used as sources for 331 Hemi engines after they were decommissioned.

[C. Bryant]

Has anyone been by the West Hollywood Chrysler ?
Still intact it might be a better catch for a Foster Parent after-all
the tower is only 45 feet, not a four story industrial manufactoring building which is_
more like a Five or Six
story office building. I suspect it would take a very expensive crain_
rig, etc. ,to bring down the Firestone Chrysler.

[SoundOff]

Where is the West Hollywood Chrysler located ?

[kx250rider]

The West Hollywood siren is in storage, according to David Stall's list.. Sadly, I confirmed that the Newhall siren is gone too. Here's a link to the list on VictorySiren.com:

http://www.victorysiren.com/x/systems/s ... California

Charles

[AllSafe]

...but sitting near it were some Mitsubishi 4M4 engines which looked capable of running the Chrysler siren.

Yeah, a 4M41 with a variable-geometry turbo would be quite capable. (175PS@3800rpm and 282 ft-lb torque@2000rpm)

[SirenEnthusiast360]

Yeah, but would the db rating still be the same?