Long Beach Sultans’ 31st. Annual Car Show at Marina Green
This was a special time. We had a visitor for the show. Jack Petitt and his ’57 Pontiac came out from their homestead in Oklahoma. Previous member of the Sultans and long time Merciful he now continues to roll his plaque in northeastern Oklahoma.
This year the Sultans hosted the show at Marina Green Park right adjacent to Shoreline Village right at the Start/Finish line of the Grand Prix of Long Beach. We don’t hear the tune of Indycar, today we hear the crackle of straight pipes and the shine of chrome. The Sultan’s annual show is a draw for the Long Beach and surrounding areas customs, with an occasional hot rod or muscle car.
Astro Supremes, 1″ white walls, lake pipes or Bellflowers, Metalflake, Kandy, Pinstriping, Airbags or heated springs, white upholstery, clear glass and cruisin’. That is the scene of ’60’s era customs arguably started in Long Beach and the south bay communities of Southern California.
In the late 1960s, Long Beach, California, was a haven for gearheads. The streets buzzed with the sound of revving engines, as muscle cars and customs ruled the asphalt. Back then, the scene was all about custom rides, and a bit of friendly competition. Everyone had their favorite ride, and showing it off at local cruise spots was the weekend ritual. Bellflower Boulevard became a hotbed of cruisin’, with impromptu street races breaking out after dark—though the cops were never far behind, keeping everyone on their toes.
The car culture was about craftsmanship. Backyard mechanics and small custom shops were the heartbeat of the scene. Whether it was chopping tops, adding louvers, or building bigger engines, everyone was pushing the limits. The laid-back, sun-soaked vibe of Southern California combined with a deep-rooted love for cars made Long Beach a hotspot for car clubs, where camaraderie was just as important as shining chrome. It was a golden era of creativity and rebellion, where every car had a story, and every driver was itching to make their mark on the road.
Many of the cars on Marina Green Park are reminiscent of that era and some are survivors.
Mercifuls had a great showing with Travis’ ’67 Camaro hand-me-down who won the Under Construction award. Bill Torres and his ’58 Fairlane, Gordon and his ’58 Cadillac, Don with his ’64 Galaxie, Johnny and Mike with their ’56 F100’s, Jerry’s ’51 Chevy, Jack’s ’57 Poncho and my ’56 Fairlane.
Take a look at the photos and hope to see you in August for the next one.
