DRIVING : Waving Bye-Bye to ‘50s Facades

Lucinda Lewis has photographed the shiniest and flashiest of ‘50s cars for “Dream Machines: 1993,” her highly polished introduction to the new calendar year.

Finned and tri-toned Desoto Fire-sweeps, Plymouth Belvederes and Ford Skyliners are among the pinups, all photographed in their natural habitats--Angelo’s drive-in and the Tower movie house in Fresno, Dimple’s Diner in Visalia and a neon-lined street in downtown Las Vegas.

But a funny thing happened on Lewis’ way to the shoot. Pristine period cars were easy to come by. The difficulty was in finding backgrounds that haven’t been fast fed or franchised into extinction.

“America’s glorious tourist traps and roadside attractions are falling by the wayside,” she says. Polynesian-fronted restaurants and juice stands shaped like oranges are no more. “We have preserved our cars, music and residences . . . but not the distinctive commercial buildings.”

Lewis is focusing on 1994, asking buyers of her 1993 calendars, available for $9.95 plus shipping by mail order only ((800) 331-1957), to send in snapshots or addresses of their favorite bowling alley, burger joint, tourist court or porticoed gas station. Write to her at 14431 Ventura Blvd., Suite 441, Sherman Oaks, Calif. 91423. Selected sites will be memorialized in calendars to come.