Under sunny skies, the 16th annual Hermosa Beach Endless Summer Classic Car Show brought hundreds of visitors to Pier Plaza to gaze longingly at four dozen handpicked vintage vehicles lining the downtown square as the Beach Boys blared from a speaker.
The show was organized by David Freedman, a founder of MovieFone who more recently produced the movie review show “Just Seen It,” for public television. He said the car show is all about having a good time. As such, there was no competition, prizes or fees for entry.
“It’s what you see,” he said. “A gorgeous day at the beach.”
The show was decidedly eclectic. Cars on display ranged from classic American muscle to woodies and European oddities. A pack of DeLoreans at the end of the plaza nearest the beach put off a Miami Vice vibe with their gullwing doors wide open. The black 1965 Lincoln Continental featured in the opening sequence of HBO’s “Entourage” also made an appearance.
Freedman brought his terra verde green 1960 Lincoln Continental Mark V convertible, which for many years has carried Hermosa Beach mayors during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He personally picks the cars for the show and said he’s fairly inclusive.
This year, he gave the green light to the most cars ever for the show – 48. He said about three-quarters are repeats from previous years. But there are no plans to grow the show much beyond that.
Freedman said he prefers to keep the show relatively small, with no advertising.
“We don’t want the place to become too crowded,” Freedman said. “It’s a mellow crowd.”
Freedman said he got help staging the event from businesses on the plaza. He said Mediterraneo, American Junkie, Patrick Malloy’s, Sharkeez, Palmilla and Hennessey’s pitched in $200 apiece to cover the city’s permitting fees and insurance.
