“Herbie,” “Grease Lightning” and a 1927 Phantom Rolls Royce Town Car once owned by the legendary and elegant Fred Astaire, are just a few of the nearly 500 cars that will be on display at the 2016 edition of the Culver City Car Show to be held May 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Culver City.
This is the 13th year that the streets of the city will serve as the backdrop for this annual charity event hosted by the Exchange Club of Culver City.
With the passing in 2015 of celebrated car customizer George Barris, the Exchange Club has re- honed the show theme to focus on the intersection of cars and movies – both of which have long traditions in Culver City.
In place of the irrepressible Barris, L.A.’s Petersen Automotive Museum is now the show’s principal co-sponsor.
“While George (Barris) will be sorely missed, we are thrilled with the Petersen’s involvement in our show,” said event co-organizer Jay Shery. “Culver City is not just the ‘Heart of Screenland,’ where great movies get made – the City’s past is inseparably tied to the colorful history of the automobile. The Petersen Automotive Museum is the ideal partner to help us bring these two great Culver City traditions together.”
As in year’s past, downtown’s streets will be filled with hundreds of custom hot rods, muscle cars and classic rides displayed by proud owners hoping that their car will be chosen “Best in Show,” in this annual judged competition.
Along with automotive vendors from across the Southland, the show stage will feature live entertainment by the “The Red Surf Band,” “Luis & the Wildfires,” returning favorite Lynda Kay.
“Everyone knows about Culver City’s leading role in movies and television,” said Shery. But very few people know that Culver City was the West Coast answer to ‘Gasoline Alley.’ We were the home to two race tracks where 70,000 fans would gather on a typical Saturday afternoon to cheer on their favorites. In fact, one of auto racing history’s most mythical figures – Barney
Exchange Club of Culver City P.O. Box 212, Culver City, CA 90232
Oldfield – is laid to rest right here in Culver City. This year’s show kicks-off our annual celebration of this extraordinary history.”
Other historic cars from Petersen collection will include “Mach 5” from the television series and 2008 movie “Speed Racer,” and a 1941 custom Cadillac that screen icon Clark Gable had built as a birthday gift for wife and screen sweetheart Carole Lombard who died a short time thereafter in a plane crash.
The 2016 Car Show Grand Marshal is Michael Hammer. Hammer – the grandson of Los Angeles-based industrialist Armand Hammer, and father of screen actor Armie Hammer – is well known as a philanthropist and the Chairman of the Armand Hammer Foundation. Michael is a long time show supporter and a custom car enthusiast with one of the most extensive private collections on the West Coast. He also is one of the newest members of the Petersen Automotive Museum Board of Directors. Grand Marshal Hammer plans to bring some of his most-prized cars to display at the show.
Parking is available at City lots and structures ringing the event. Street parking in designated locations will be restricted. Take the bus or Metro’s Expo Line as a hassle-free way to enjoy the show. A bicycle “valet” will be available at the City’s Lot “B” for attendees looking to beat the traffic on two-wheels. All proceeds from the Culver Car Show go to support the many youth charities underwritten by the Exchange Club of Culver City, including the Club’s part in a national effort to prevent child abuse.
A complete description including artwork of the Petersen cars at this year’s show is included with this release. Also provided is background link to Culver City historic racing scene. http://www.culvercityhistoricalsociety.org/history/the-historic-culver-city-racing-scene/.
For more information about the show contact: John Cohn (310) 402-3263 or john@thejungle.biz.
