Oh, Daytona. It’s the quintessential Florida beach town – a little bit raunchy, a little bit retro and oh-so-seaside-kitchsy. Though Daytona can be a little rough around the edges in some spots, the Daytona Speedway, the beach-side boardwalk and the hard-packed sand that makes it possible to drive on the beach (in some areas) make it a fun day trip from Orlando.

In the 1950s, this little getaway was all about the cars, from races on the beach to races at the Speedway. This gallery, gathered from the State Archives of Florida, highlights the best bits of this seaside town in the ’50s.

Related: (NSFW) Vintage shots from Daytona Bike Week in the ’70s and ’80s

Photos by State Archives of Florida http://floridamemory.com/

Automobiles racing on the beach road Credit: State Archives of Florida
Posing in the Daytona Beach surf Credit: State Archives of Florida
Crowds watching an automobile race Credit: State Archives of Florida
A rented beach car Credit: State Archives of Florida
Greetings from Daytona Beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
Race at the Daytona International Speedway Credit: State Archives of Florida
Young woman on the beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
View of Daytona Beach from the water Credit: State Archives of Florida
Daytona Beach boardwalk at night Credit: State Archives of Florida
Daytona beach scene Credit: State Archives of Florida
Firefighters battling blaze at the Orange Hotel Credit: State Archives of Florida
Aerial view of bandshell Credit: State Archives of Florida
Young woman posing on a small motorboat Credit: State Archives of Florida
Bird’s eye view of the Daytona International Speedway race track Credit: State Archives of Florida
Family picnic on the beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
Crowds watch cars racing on the beach road Credit: State Archives of Florida
Visitors at Perry’s Ocean Edge Court Credit: State Archives of Florida
Cars parked on the beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
Crowds gathered on beach for automobile races Credit: State Archives of Florida
View of Daytona Beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
Easter service at the Daytona Beach bandshell Credit: State Archives of Florida
Unidentified hotel on the beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
Sun and Sand Hotel Court Credit: State Archives of Florida
Two women take a break during the checking of the race cars on beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
Long rows of cars parked on beach during an auto race Credit: State Archives of Florida
Beautiful day at the beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
The pier and casino on the beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
Automobile mechanics checking a race car Credit: State Archives of Florida
FSU football coach Pete Peterson and family Credit: State Archives of Florida
Cars on the beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
Beach traffic Credit: State Archives of Florida
Daytona Beach bandshell Credit: State Archives of Florida
Crowds walking toward beach during an auto race Credit: State Archives of Florida
Race cars on the beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
View of the boardwalk in Daytona Beach at twi-light time Credit: State Archives of Florida
Unidentified beach park Credit: State Archives of Florida
A race car accident on the beach road Credit: State Archives of Florida
Beach scene on a beautiful day Credit: State Archives of Florida
Golfers put boots on for water golf Credit: State Archives of Florida
Drivers and mechanics stand between the race cars on beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
Crowds watching race cars lined up on beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
Entrance to the Daytona Beach pier casino Credit: State Archives of Florida
Attraction on the beach Credit: State Archives of Florida
Band shell and world’s largest open-air theater Credit: State Archives of Florida