Among the show’s most appealing aspects is that the park is made up of a series of turnouts or mini parking lots around the lake, so the visuals are much more interesting than just a massive field full of cars. This was the Alfa club’s show within a show area, and they brought their own field and did their own judging and awards.
My friends Evan and Tom put on one of the greatest, most fun, easy to access, lowest impact car shows you’ve never heard of. It appears well on its way to becoming an Annual Thing, taking place each summer at the Franklin Canyon Park in the Hollywood Hills. Its a run what ya brung show, meaning anything from ratrods to Citroens to Mercedes 300SL roadsters and Gullwings. This year the Alfa Romeo Owners club of Southern California put on its own concours, a show within a show boasting around 30 fine Alfas.
Cover of this year’s special mag for the show. Nice photos (as Evan is a professional photographer) and good reads too.
There’s no judging, no awards, and no admission fee. Everyone is welcome.
Great spot for a car show, or just a hike or a picnic.
This park is a wonderful and historic old place, the site of much movie and TV filming. I’ve also done still photo shoots there for car magazines. Speaking of which, when you enter the show, you get your own free copy of the magazine the boys put out just for the show.
Kirk Gerbracht’s fine photos tell the rest of the story, so I’ll shut up now and let you enjoy the pix.
OK yes this is my own Benz, but shows you the perfect parking spot I had to watch the rest of the show cars arrive and park. Most magical and shady too.
The balance of “my” turnout was mostly German, with shooter Gerbracht’s 996 Carrera on the right, and two other luverly Porsches in this frame.
Two of the many interesting Alfalfa Spiders, the yellow one at left belonging to my friend Jeff and the silver on the right owned by event organizer Evan Klein.
I certainly never tire of GTVs.
Or Giulias and Giuliettas…
Lots of tasty British sports car stuff on hand too.
A long ago friend of mine had a GT6 just like this one.
My own Sunbeam Tiger was British Racing Green, the “sort-of” Cobra I’d never have. I kinda miss it now.
This fabulously 50s 1958 Continental III convert was resplendent in ivory pink, and concours inside and out.
I love Studes, especially the profile of this GranTuismo Hawk.
Lots of hot rods, race cars, and muscle on hand.
Cover car from this year’s magazine can be yours, by the day, from Beverly Hills Car Rental.
Strangely wonderful Kaiser Darrin
Particularly badass Shelby GT500, check out its particularly badass motor just below…
Yes, that’s twin Paxton superchargers and dual carbs, so one carb and one blower for every four cylinders…
My friend and all around fabulous car guy and enthusiast collector Bruce Meyer drive this mondo tasty 300SL; he’s the guy in the monster cowdude hat.
Among the stars of the show was the real George Barris, and his America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award winning XR6 hot rod from the early 1960s.
Yes, Franklin Lake Park really does have a lake.
Bikes too!
and lotsa Vettes.
Some people get really serious about their presentation. Did it impress the beautiful leggy woman on the right? Hmmmm….not sure.
Among the many cool things Evan does for his show is a group shot of everyone who wishes to be in it. Evan is down in front holding the sign, his father Phil is just to the left, and George Barris is in the pink shirt just behind Evan. And the fabulously elegant woman in all white is Ev’s fiance Sima. Lucky guy he is.