Not many downtown car-parts stores remain viable these days, what with the Carpocalypse on one hand and the relentless spread of big chain parts outlets on the other. Lee Auto Supply in Alameda remains, though!

In many ways, hanging out with the über-gearheads at Lee's during my formative automotive years is what got me completely hooked on this crazy car thing in the first place. I've written a little tirade for the folks at Hagerty that tells some of the joint's history.
[Hagerty]

Send an email to Murilee Martin, the author of this post, at murilee@jalopnik.com.