Historic Hood River
Who Am I?
5-13-2022
Notes
Do you recognize the teenager showing off his Pontiac GTO in front of the Hood River High School (now Hood River Middle School) in 1970? He’s a well-known figure in the Hood River valley. He tells me this was the last year for Hood River High School, which moved into the newly completed Hood River Valley High School building for the next term.
I may post some hints later.
And if any of you are brave enough to offer your own photos showing you cruising around town “back in the day” contact me at the museum.
Category: Downtown Hood River
Tags: 1970s, automobile, GTO, Hood River High School, May Street, school
Tags: 1970s, automobile, GTO, Hood River High School, May Street, school
Jim Gray
Looks Like Mike Oates to me,
ArthurB
And you are correct, Jim! For those who don’t know Mike is an orchardist and chair of the Hood River County Commission.
Jim Gray
He is a Cousin of mine, didn’t know he had a GTO !
Stever
" yah yah "¦. little GTO ! " "¦ " looking fine " ..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IgoDotf4mo8
Nice one !
Kurt Cyrus
I have it from an unnamed source that Mike would never rev up his GTO, or race, or exceed the speed limit even once. He basically drove it like a Pinto. That’s just the word on the street.
Judy
Heck, that was no fun!!! 🚗 😇
L.E.
Pretty cool photo, car, guy, school, and a bit of fun local history where the subject is still alive. Doesn’t happen at this site very often.
Greg Oates
Mike’s first car was a Chevy Corvair, reputedly "unsafe at any speed". Coming home from firewatching above Troutlake one night, the front wheel fell off. No one was hurt but the Corvair soon became someone else’s problem. That experience might have contributed to his safe and sane driving habits.
Upriverdavid
I’m betting he wishes he still had it.Worth a whole bunch of cash today.