The Mystery Girl from the World of Autodynamics
In late 1956, a celebrity in disguise as the "Mystery Girl from the World of Autodynamics" toured car shows and dealerships. The public was challenged to guess her identity to have a chance to win a new 1957 Dodge.
Can you guess who she was? The answer is below in extended.
Here's a hint. She's not an A-list celebrity, but we've posted about her before on WU.
Answer:
The "mystery girl" was Hillevi Rombin. She was best known as the winner of the 1955 Miss Universe contest. She's been featured before on WU because of her skill at sausage-snake charming.
More info: wikipedia
Can you guess who she was? The answer is below in extended.
Here's a hint. She's not an A-list celebrity, but we've posted about her before on WU.
North Hollywood Valley Times - Nov 24, 1956
Answer:
The "mystery girl" was Hillevi Rombin. She was best known as the winner of the 1955 Miss Universe contest. She's been featured before on WU because of her skill at sausage-snake charming.
More info: wikipedia
Pomona Progress Bulletin - Jan 18, 1957
Los Angeles Citizen News - Jan 31, 1957
Comments
I happen to have a subscription the the newspapers dot com site, and searching for the "Mystery Girl from the World of Autodynamics", I found her identity revealed in a few newspapers.
What I found especially interesting was that on page 12 of the January 31, 1957, issue of the Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, the winner of the contest was revealed, and she also was a former beauty contest winner. The winner was Gladys Jeans, who was Miss Hollywood of 1932. (I saved an image of the announcement, which includes a photo of the keys being handed to the winner. I can email it to you, Alex, if you don't have access to that newspaper.)
What I found especially interesting was that on page 12 of the January 31, 1957, issue of the Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, the winner of the contest was revealed, and she also was a former beauty contest winner. The winner was Gladys Jeans, who was Miss Hollywood of 1932. (I saved an image of the announcement, which includes a photo of the keys being handed to the winner. I can email it to you, Alex, if you don't have access to that newspaper.)
Posted by Fritz on 07/28/21 at 09:40 AM
Fritz -- thanks for doing that research!! I do have a subscription to the newspaper archive and was able to find the photo. Adding it to the post.
Definitely odd that another beauty contest winner won.
Definitely odd that another beauty contest winner won.
Posted by Alex on 07/28/21 at 04:11 PM
Not odd at all, Alex. All California girls are beautiful, at least according to the Beach Boys.
Posted by ges on 07/30/21 at 10:06 AM
Maybe, if they were both beauty contestants, Miss Jeans knew Miss Rombin either by sight or maybe even personally? That would give her a better chance at least.
Posted by Richard Bos on 07/31/21 at 10:04 AM
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Category: Publicity Stunts | 1950s | Cars