Features tri five chevys lets see em"

That's a nice car! Unusual two tone.

 

Louisville

 

Bought a Hardtop last week. 327, 4 speed, I quickly lowered it and new wheel and tire for a correct look

 

@SmokinBill , that is one smooth looking hardtop.

 

That '56 is gorgeous!

 

Early So Cal car shows held in city parking lots at shopping centers and large community parks with dedicated parking areas were a simple way to gather to show the custom builds. Over the years, that led to more public displays, then car shows in arenas and exhibition halls. Finally, back on the streets with the latest versions called Cars and Coffee, being started in Irvine, CA in So Cal. Some industry insiders at the original location of a west coast division, car company parking lot started it all as a weekly event.

Hello,

From a very old stack of photos from So Cal. A very early mild custom two door sedan from a car show happening in Lynwood, CA (abbreviated Calif. back then) A lowered rake, full size hubcaps, two tone paint and an odd scallop or two.

It was difficult to get more clarity from such an old photo that was probably taken with an old point and shoot camera. But, prior to around 1965-66, 35mm SLR cameras were only for pros and not readily available for the general population, except for those that had pockets full of money for a Leica.

Jnaki

Once the onslaught of 35mm SLR cameras came on the scene, the general public now had access to taking some quality photos using color negatives or color slides. Plus there was always B/W photos that were less expensive to develop and process. Those old 35mm cameras started the big push to handy digital small size cameras of today, something other than phone cameras.

Note: The history of public car displays as a weekly gathering started with some folks just showing up at an empty parking lot, just to hang out and enjoy the gathering of cars. Small as they were, it depends on who or what was the first one, as there were plenty of small lots going on all the way back to the 70s.

It is difficult to claim who was the first as most gatherings were similar. But, who cares, The gatherings usually started from a few friends hanging out, like those teenagers used to do at our Westside of Long Beach house with food, old hot rods and drinks in one location. Plus, we had one other reason for the gatherings... drag racing films being shown from the weekly events at our local Lion's Dragstrip located nearby.

So, those small gatherings came and went until an auto company parking lot in So Cal was opened up for those that wanted a central place to go every weekend. So, no public area was taken over. Private property held the early hot rod folks with ease and wonderful gathering of cool hot rods and customs. YRMV