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As a teenager in the late 1950s and early 1960s, we all knew how important cars were to us. This is something that was universal and we could certainly share that fascination with our American Bandstand friends. We might never have been able to hop in one of their automobiles and taken a few rides around Philly with them, but we could definitely appreciate any picture their fan clubs or visitors to Bandstand could share with us. So take take a ride along with me as I show here some of the cars that the Regulars of Early American Bandstand had their fun in and with. Many of these pictures were shared with me from personal collections of both the Regulars themselves and many fans--and sometimes from vintage magazines of the day.

Arlene DiPietro in front of a car that looks like a 1960s Ford to me. Anytime someone has a definite correction to cars, let me know, as I only know from my years of going to car shows but am by no means the final word on vintage automobiles.

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The ever popular Jimenez sisters (Ivette and Carmen) parked near the studio and ready to go hit the dance floor. Pic courtesy Don Gillis private collection.

Above pic shows Frani Giordano getting in to her new red convertible won in a dance contest on American Bandstand and the pic immediately below shows Frani with another Regular, Judy Leibowitz atop that same red convertible.

Justine Carrelli in late 60s infront of her home and automobile

And Frani wasn't the only Regular to win an automobile in a dance contest. Below are Arlene Sullivan and Kenny Rossi who won this unusually cute 1957 Isetta BMW. I did an entire Blog Topic titled I WON, I WON in July 2011.

KennyRossi loved cars and here are a couple of pics of him with his new car taken in front of his home on July 4, 1960--from Don Gillis' private collection taken when he visited American Bandstand on that same day.

and now to Pat Molittieri and her new car>
--picture courtesy Bonnie Baker's private collection given to my website

above pic of Pat Molittieri's new car is courtesy Don Gillis

And below we have fan Terry Tolas with Carole Scaldeferri in the Bandstand parking lot with lots of cars of the day

Below is Justine Carrelli and Pat Molittieri tooling around in Pat's new car--such fun. Courtesy Justine.

And below is Justine Carrelli with her date, taking a drive in a convertible.

And we cannot forget Regular Arlene Sullivan sporting around in her new convertible

This Fashion Friday is dedicated to Carole Scaldeferri-Spada. Since she was one of the fashion girls of Early American Bandstand, she often appeared in fashion articles back in the day of newsstand magazines. When you see the many pictures of her, you will well understand why. Her Cousin Diana Benero also had a lovely wardrobe and much of that was thanks to Diana's mother (Carole's Aunt) who could turn any piece of fabric in to fashion magic. She could make her own patterns and whenever she sewed something for Diana, people took notice and many compliments followed. So you can see that this fashion sense ran in the family. I have featured some of Diana's coats in the past and now we view some of Carole's. It must have been great

When we think of cutie American Bandstand Regular Frani Giordano, there are lots of memories and connections. Of course the strongest memory is of her dancing across our 1950s small TV sets.
The magazines of the day showed her having summer fun with friends and Regulars at her folks' Sea Isle New Jersey Home
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We only had to look at the beautiful condition of her hair to know Frani had the best of products and probably salons to make it that special, and we assumed rightly that she was one of the more privileged dancers on the show. What most of us did not know was that her family for many years owned Giordano's Italian Market in Philly--a very successful market that has survived through the decades. Here's a picture of that market ......

Though most of us recall the real Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer as Cary Grant and Shirley Temple, I thought I would have a little fun with this because here we have Bachelor Sean Lowe of 2013 and our very own "bobby soxer" Bunny Gibson.. How many times we saw her in her bobby socks on the American Bandstand dance floor in late 50s/early 60s. Bunny just sent this neat picture on February 5 and I am happy and privileged to be able to bring it to you. In her words: "Marsha, Tonight 7:00 on Extra...went there for my daughter, Maria, who loves The Bachelor show. Met him and he was so nice - even left a message for Maria on the phone that he was "rooting for her". A really decent and caring man.....and Maria's heart lit up when she heard the ......

In Bunny's words, here is an exclusive she has given to my website: "Hi Marsha~~~ Again, coming full circle from dancing on American Bandstand as a teenager to dancing on "Two and a Half Men." Booked four days on "Two and a Half Men" as a Principal Dancer performing with John Cryer and Ashton Kutcher in my scene, which I have to keep secret now, but I can tell you that it will be shown in January as the finale - 12th show - of half of their season. Fun show to do and a big surprise in store for everyone - huge finale!!! Had my own trailer."

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