Auto festival to be showcased at Veterans Memorial Park for 2017

Call it the biggest and most exciting used car lot in Southern California. The 14th annual Culver City “Back to the ‘50s” Car Show will spotlight 350 of the hottest and coolest antique, vintage and classic cars as it helps 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.

Hours of Saturday’s car extravaganza will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Veterans Park, the corner of Culver Boulevard and Overland Avenue.

The show, sponsored by the Exchange Club of Culver City, has invited a wide spectrum of motorized American and European vehicles, including all styles of hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks, low-riders, racers, specialty vehicles, Cobras, Mustangs, Corvettes and motorcycles.

Some 50 awards, to include the Mayor’s Choice, presented by Culver City Mayor and Exchange Club member Jeff Cooper, who will be attendance. Specialty categories include Best 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and ‘80s machines, as well as Best of Show; the George Barris Memorial Award will be given in memory of the legendary car designer and builder, who passed away in 2015.

Barris 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.

Car clubbers will be out in force as well as fans of the Ford, Chevrolet, Mopar, station wagons, convertibles, even commercial vehicles as well as crusty cool ‘rat rods’ and even a class for ‘daily driver’ plus Ladies Choice, Best Flames and even bicycles… along with examples of the latest, greatest new cars also showcased…yes, something for everyone and every age for this family, and pet friendly, event.

There have been some changes for this year’s venue. Because of ongoing construction in the downtown Culver City area, previously the car show’s location, has been 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 are now placed within the park’s environs and not spread over such a large area as previous shows, they will be even more ‘up close and personal’ with less walking required.

Along with the rainbow of chrome and paint, spectators will enjoy four live bands playing on stage, including Lynda Kay, Christopher Amerusoso’s Swamp Rock, the Red Surf Band and Debbie & The Good Man Band.

Food and drink will be available via several gourmet food trucks, a beer garden as well as offerings by car culture merchandise vendors. Plenty of free parking can be fouind at the Sony Studio’s parking structure while the hours of the free admission show have also now been extended from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

And of course, bring your cell phone or camera because photo ops will abound not only of the vehicles, but of their owners, often as colorful and “classic” as their cars, many dressed in period attire and creating special memorabilia displays to enhance the presentation of their cars.

Another special exhibit will showcase several rare early-1900 machines brought to the event by the Petersen Automotive Museum.

As far as good car deeds, ago, the Culver City Car Show tops the charts with proceeds benefitting many local programs including the Downey Child Abuse Prevention Center, Culver City Youth Health Center, Culver-Palms YMCA scholarships, Culver City Police Officer’s Santa Sleigh, Disabled Children’s Carnival, Farragut Fan Club, Culver City High School AVPA Foundation, Upward Bound Center, Culver City PTA backpack program, Train 4 Autism, The Jeffrey Foundation, Culver City Senior Citizen’s Association, Culver City Boy Scouts, Santa Monica Youth Football Program, Grace Lutheran Church Homeless Project, Culver City community based scholarships and many other local youth programs.

 

More information concerning Car Show and Veteran’s Memorial Park available at 310-499-4840.