Culver City Car Show 2017
Culver City, CASaturday, May 13, 2017
Call it the biggest and most exciting used car lot in Southern California. The 14th annual Culver City Car Show brought out thousands of spectators to “kick the tires” of some 350 of the hottest and coolest antique, vintage and classic cars. The event helped celebrate the city’s Centennial and its 100 year-long historic relationship with the local movie industry, as well as California’s love of the automobile.
The show, sponsored by the Exchange Club of Culver City, invited a wide spectrum of motorized American and European vehicles, including all styles of hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks, lowriders, racers, specialty vehicles, Cobras, Mustangs, Corvettes and motorcycles. Some 50 awards include the Mayor’s Choice, and yes, Culver City Mayor Jeff Cooper was in attendance to hand out the Mayor’s Award. Specialty categories included Best 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s 60’s, 70’s and ‘80s machines, as well as Best of Show. The George Barris Memorial Award was given in memory of the legendary car designer and builder, who passed away in 2015. George created a fleet of iconic TV and movie vehicles, including the Batmobile for the 1960s hit series as well as wild machines for the Munsters and the Beverly Hillbillies. The trophy was handed out during the show’s award ceremony by George’s son Brent.
Car clubbers were out in force, as well as fans of the Ford, Chevrolet, Mopar, station wagons, convertibles and even commercial vehicles as well as crusty, cool ‘rat rods’ and even a class for ‘daily drivers,’ plus Ladies Choice and Best Flames along with examples of the latest, greatest new cars also showcased… Yes, there was something for everyone and every age at this family event.
There were some changes for this year’s venue. Because of ongoing construction in the downtown Culver City area, previously the car show’s location, it was moved lock, stock and high performance barrels to the Veteran’s Memorial Park area, near the intersection of Culver Boulevard and Overland Avenue.
As the vehicles were now placed within the park’s environs and not spread over such a large area as previous shows, spectators found them even more ‘up close and personal,’ with less walking required. Along with the rainbow of chrome and paint, spectators rocked out to four live bands playing on stage, including the awesome Lynda Kay, Christopher Ameruso’s Swamp Rock, the Red Surf Band and Debbie & The Good Man Band. Plenty of food and drink flowed forth via a virtual wagon train of gourmet food trucks, plus a beer garden, and you could shop from a wide selection presented by car culture merchandise vendors. The free admission show had new extended hours from 10 AM to 6PM, and you needed all that time to take in all the vehicles. These included a special exhibit showcasing several rare early-1900 machines brought to the event by the famous Los Angeles Petersen Automotive Museum.
As far as good car deeds go, the Culver City Car Show tops the charts, with proceeds benefitting many local youth and health programs. The response to the event’s new location received a major thumbs-up by the attendees, so the park location is being considered again for next year’s car party.