The story begins in 1965 when a group of young car guys thought to band together to go to events and enjoy the cruising culture around the Long Beach region of Southern California.
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The club grew to over 30 members at one time and they currently enjoy the camaraderie of their 18 members. The members own anything from1948 and earlier with some exceptions to ‘50’s and ‘60’s American Cars. The club started with requirements of ’34 and earlier, then recently changed to pre-1949.
CLUBHOUSE PHOTOS:
Members are encouraged to enjoy their cars with cruises, poker runs and more. They have an annual inspection of the cars to help fellow members maintain the safety of their vehicles. In Mid-winter they host a Poker Run on the last Sunday in February. This year was their 47th Annual Mid-Winter Rod Run. On the second Sunday in June they host a club picnic at the Compton Hunting and Fishing Club, also in their 40-something’th year, the picnic started at Newport Dunes. The club also hosted a swap meet and pancake breakfast for about a dozen years, and was revived last year and will have another in October of 2013.
CLUB PICNIC PHOTOS:
Each year in November the guys usually head up north a couple hundred miles to Solvang for the Bent Axles’ event at Nojoqui Falls and in the winter they cruise together down Christmas Tree Lane in Long Beach. They help the community with event funds and membership time donated to Orangewood Children’s Home, Wounded Warriors and the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Many of the club members’ cars have been featured on the cover of Rod and Custom and other magazines. Some of their “famous” members include luminaries such as Jim “Jake” Jacobs of Pete and Jakes fame, incredible builders such as Dan Woods, Hot Wheels designer Larry Woods, and media icon Del Austin.
Members meet weekly at their clubhouse in Long Beach with a monthly family dinner meeting. A full history which they have kept in huge srapbooks put together through the ‘80’s I had the pleasure of sitting in on one of their weekly meetings. The clubhouse is an old office building on the border of Signal Hill and Long Beach. They have all their event t-shirt designs on one wall, photos of members cars in frames on another, and memorabilia, trophy’s and awards on another. Their meetings cover the standard “Old Business” and “New Business” and also share “For Sale, Trade or Give-Away” items. Each member is encouraged to help each other sell their cars, parts, or memorabilia. The current officers include: Greg Randle; President, John Robinson; VP, Mike Trimmer; Secretary, and Richard Graves; Treasurer.
You can learn more about the club at their newly created website:
www.EarlyTimesCarClubSoCal.com maintained by Norm Adams.