Long Beach Motorama is a modern indoor and outdoor Car Show & Cruise steeped in tradition! The first car show to be back in the Long Beach Arena in 32 yrs. Long Beach Motorama pays tribute to the Renegades Car Club formed in 1941 in Long Beach. In early 1950 through 1957 the club was producing Kustom car shows on high school football fields. This new craze grew into the show being held in Long Beach Municipal Auditorium from 1958-1960. This was the “Premiere” Kustoms show on the West Coast back then, with the National Roadster Show (Oakland) being the equivalent for hot rods to the North.

Long Beach Motorama is dedicated to the Renegades C/C and Rich Pichette. Without both, and the fact that Rich Pichette brought the Cruisin’ Nationals to Paso Robles I wouldn’t have known of, or been inspired to carry on this tradition of Kustoms and Hot Rods (I lived in Paso).

This “New” Car Show is staged to preserve that heritage and present it to you the automotive enthusiasts.

“Stroll down Avenue of Dreams to view the Technicolor Stars of the Arena Car Show.” We have builders from as far as Australia and across the U.S debuting cars here for you. Across the Arena floor, the ALL Kustoms indoor portion will be spatially laid out for 360 degree viewing of these “One of a Kind” “pre-64″ American made Dream Kustoms. Alongside this in the lobby we have some of the Renegades Car Club memorabilia that includes Club Jackets and Wool Club banner from the 50’s in mint condition, and their historical leather bound bible in acrylic vault documenting the club activities from 1947 thru the early 60’s. It shows all the car shows and community affairs the club and other clubs of the region were involved in. This is from what we will extract a “NEW” historical presentation of the Renegades C/C on the “Historical Wall” to illustrate just what they did for Kustoms and Hot Rods in Southern California. Part of the wall contains the “Wall of Legends”. Trace Edwards is out casting the hands of the first generation of kustomizers. Each hand is casted in repose for what the builder is known for and mounted on a walnut wall plaque with a picture of the young builder atop their hand. We will have 10 of these monumental creations displayed for you to view.

From the late 50’s-early 70’s indoor car shows would grow to number 30 taking place a year on the West Coast. Which, you could find local “Kustom Painter Extraordinaire” Larry Watson competing at almost all of them; without him, Kustoms wouldn’t have looked the same. On display in the lobby will be the “Vino Paisano”; Watson’s 1958 Thunderbird, the one that changed it all and is considered to be one of the top 10 Kustoms in its time. This car debuted in 1958 at the Renegades C/C, 3 day Rod & Kustom Motorama, held in the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium 52 years ago; it will re-debut at our 2010 show in its fully restored form, parked in front of Larry’s North Downey shop front. Also in the lobby will be Dean Jefferies’ “Mantaray” which hasn’t been at a West Coast car show in 25 yrs, displayed just like Dean did when he won the “64” National Roadster Show. Other cars included will be a Sam Barris “40” Merc and the unmistakable X51.

In our second year of recognizing the industry’s’ forefathers-our “Masters of the Kustom” inductees are Frank DeRosa Sr. and Dean Jefferies. Both long standing legends of the Kustom Car World. Also inside the lobby you’ll meet this year’s “Kustom Innovator of the Year”. This induction recognizes the “New” Talent of the industry and this year we induct Marcos Garcia of Lucky 7 Customs, all will have cars on display.

Just outside the Arena are the Horsepower Corrals. These areas are for traditional hot rods, gassers and those wanting their Kustom viewed under the sun.

The 20+ acres of grass for the outdoor Motorama is open to all American made vehicles “pre-69″.

Be on hand for ribbon cutting ceremonies with “Original” members of the Renegades C/C Friday Sept. 24th to witness history in the making. You’ve got to be here to experience it!

~As stated in 1960 event program by Harold Johnson-Renegades C/C Pres. ~

Here you will find hand-formed Kustoms, hand built Hot Rods and hand-made sports cars. These unique machines offer the finished product of many painstaking hours and individual ideas of their creators.. These creators of “personalized cars” are the automotive pioneers of today. They have turned away from the dull pattern of uniformity and conformity, seeking that personal expression of individuality which burns deep within almost every man, woman and child. These non-conformists have used the automobile as their instrument for personal expression and in doing so they present the true “Classic” cars of today. Some ideas may appear fantastic, others may seem sensible, but, practical or impractical, the ideas developed on each car are the magnificent expression of an individual.

Long Beach Motorama enjoys 20+ acres of grass waterfront in sunny Southern California, with sail boats and the “Historic” Queen Mary as our back drop for you to kick back and soak in the SoCal lifestyle.

We hope to see you here.

Keen Entertainment is pleased to participate with the Rich Pichette Alzheimers Project. Rich Pichette is a close friend of the Kustom Culture community. He was stricken down with this terrible disease, Alzheimers, in the prime of his life. This man was a huge driving force behind the resurgence of awareness and appreciation for Kustoms on the West Coast for the past 30 years. He is the man responsible for conceiving of a show to celebrate Kustoms and their builders, West Coast Kustoms’ Cruisin’ Nationals, formerly known as “Paso.”

We in this community miss him and are continuing his legacy by coming together to produce a “One-Off” ‘54 Merc Roadster Kustom, appropriately named “MEMORIES,” in his honor, which was one of his own projects.

The “One-Off” Merc will be auctioned to the highest bidder through RM Auctions. 100% of all donations will go directly to National Alzheimers for research and daily care giving.

We need your help in getting this done! Show us your support by donating to this worthwhile tax deductible cause.

Show Your Love of Kustoms!

Make Donations to:
RP Alzheimers Project
25717 Margaret Ave.
Moreno Valley, Ca 92551
www.richpichette.com