Belmont Shore Car Show puts car culture on display

The Belmont Shore Car Show, which showcased nearly 800 cars ranging from classic vehicles to LBCC’s very own van, took place Sept. 13 in Long Beach.

Since its inception in 1992, the car show has become a tradition in Belmont Shore, rarely missing a year, and it is now one of the largest car shows on the West Coast.

2nd Street, between Bay Shore Avenue and Livingston Drive, was closed for traffic due to the thousands of pedestrians and street vendors who attended.

The event had a lively atmosphere, with families walking through the show throughout the day and live music playing, including a band made up entirely of children.

“It’s my first time coming here. I’ve only been here for about thirty minutes, but this whole thing has been super fun,” said Ayden Trang, a local high school student and self-proclaimed car enthusiast.

“I’m more into modern cars. I like looking at Porsches and Corvettes, but if someone is into classic cars, I would definitely tell them to come,” Trang added.

^{The engine bay of a 1950s era Volkswagen Karmann Ghia decorated with more than 30 Volkswagen Hot Wheels model cars at the 35th Belmont Car Show Sept. 13. The Karmann Ghia was one of more than 700 vehicles featured at the show, which began in 1992. (Akiel Archer)}

Anyone could register their car for the event, but multiple classic car clubs occupied many of the nearly 700 parking spots designated for the show. One of them being the Sultans Car Club, which entered more than 20 cars. 

“Our club entered over 20 cars into the car show this year,” Sultans President Brandon Riddle said.

The club has been coming to the Belmont Shore Car Show for more than 20 years.

“I’ve only been a member for 10 years, and only the president for three, but some of the older members have told me how they’ve been coming here for decades,” Riddle said. 

Many club members were seated in lawn chairs next to their cars, and several spoke on their experiences with the club.

“I’ve been a member for over twenty years, probably my favorite part about coming here is seeing all the people who come out,” said Bob Valencia, one of the club’s longest-tenured members.

^{A black 1963 Chevy Impala parked on 2nd Street for display at the Belmont Car Show Sept. 13. The car was one of more than 700 vehicles featured at the show, which began in 1992. (Akiel Archer)}

Located about a block away from where the Sultans were parked was LBCC’s booth, which featured school ambassadors and a promotional van that had previously been advertised as a mystery car.

Cars weren’t the only vehicles featured at the event. Next to the LBCC van was a retired Vietnam War-era helicopter that attendees were allowed to climb into and take pictures with.

The car show brought plenty of foot traffic to the neighborhood, with local businesses along 2nd Street and vendors selling ice cream, iced coffee and other refreshments to attendees throughout the day.

From classic cars to longtime club members and first-time visitors, the Belmont Shore Car Show brought people together to celebrate their shared passion for cars and the community.