3rd Annual Highway Earth Car Show in Beverly Hills Brings Out LA's Custom Car Culture

1991 Nissan Figaro one of 200 imported to the U.S. Powered by a 3-cylinder turbo motor.

Summer is car show time, a season packed with public and private events throughout the country, especially in the epicenter of car culture, Los Angeles. They range from benefits for local causes, to club gatherings, to venues for serious Pebble-Beach-aspirants to layer on some provenance.

Closing out the month of June was the third Highway Earth show in Beverly Hills, an eclectic and egalitarian gathering in an atypical corner of the 90210 code, Franklin Canyon Park. The 605-acre preserve surrounding the three-acre reservoir is a world of its own, protected as a part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and a perfect site where the vehicles are grouped in the turnouts and positioned along the paved park road. Visitor admission is free.

Creators and organizers, photographer Evan Kline and creative executive Thomas Miltch, describe the event as a community for classic car enthusiasts to share their passion for cars. That may be the description for just about any show in any town, but when it takes place in the birthplace of the custom movement, the event is a little different.

Alfa Romeo Club Concours ribbons await winners in three classes plus overall and people's choice.

Like family at a picnic, Highway Earth exhibitors are gathered up for a group photo.

Clean ICON machine. One of several at Highway Earth.

The duo are true enthusiasts themselves, and truly enjoy this project, welcoming upward of 150 like-minded owners to get together for a day. The idea is an outgrowth of Klein and Miltch's work, and the concept certainly seems to work.

This year's theme was "Made in L.A." and the entries from local craftsmen included an exquisite outlaw Porsche 356 from Rod Emory Motorsports; three Wasteland cars built by artists as an homage to Mad Max (a Mercury, VW Baja Bug, and Mustang that are on their way to becoming a zombie patrol film); an ICON restomodded Plymouth Roadmaster, and at least two terrific ICON 4x4 trucks. Surrounding those were marque groups including English Morgan three-wheelers; Italian Alfa Romeos meeting for a concours-within-a-show with 19 examples all running on the same day; a French Deux Cheveau and Traction Avant; a Swedish 122 sedan and 220 wagon. Oh, and the new Acura NSX was here, next to the wonderfully unique (one of 200 never formally sold in the U.S.) Nissan Figaro. And Elvis Presley's 1971 DeTomaso Pantera from the Petersen Automotive Museum was there, along with a pair of Corvair buses.

Elegant Traction Avant in the French car grouping.

Carl Stubbs of Bellflower will be back at Highway Earth next year.

Evan Klein sets up for the group photo.

What could be a dizzying array of machinery seemed completely natural tucked under the shade of native scrub oaks and taller, introduced pines, and touring the show required a healthy one-mile walk around the reservoir.

It is a non-juried event, but sponsor Hagerty Insurance asked their volunteers, members of the local Boy Scout troop, to be youth judges and perform a "people's choice" evaluation – a way to get the next generation involved with cars. The boys identified their top three favorites: first, an immense Cadillac Fleetwood; second, a Dodge Phoenix; and third, a 1956 Ford F-100 pickup with a 2000 5.0-liter V8 Explorer engine, owned by Carl Stubbs of Bellflower.

MadMax homage Ford Mustang ready for its close-up.

Mister Vintage Machine custom is quintessential rod-building.

Nothing beats a V8 Ford.

"This is the third iteration of the truck," Stubbs said. "I completely re-did it again, this time with the Explorer engine, fuel injection, new differential, and Philippine mahogany bed. The tones in the wood really work with the new paint. I also put in this 135 db horn made from motorcycle and automotive components." The horn was very authoritative. The truck was gorgeous, a two-tone, cherry-plum on top, silver-gray below with pinstripe details and philosophy hand-painted on the tailgate and front fender. He was pleased the kids appreciated his work. It is a driver and Stubbs and wife, Pam, participate in a full calendar of club and regional activities.

A peek under the hood of the "1956 Explorer" revealed Stubbs' meticulous installation, complete with a K&N engine air filter. "Is there any other filter to have?" he declared. "They make it so easy to install and use. It does help with power. Oh, and, it looks like it's time to clean this one again." Maybe, but it seemed fairly spotless on this day. It was Stubbs's second year at Highway Earth, and he is looking forward to a third. He wants to bring his El Camino next time, another example of the custom movement, made in L.A.

Rod Emory outlaw art is made in L.A.

Stubbs' 3rd iteration of the 1956 F-100 brought in a 2000 Explorer 5.0L and a K&N engine air filter.

Stubbs philosophy painted on his 1956 F-100.

Organizer Klein has announced the show with, "Well, they (the Parks Service) let us come back again!" But it is also the word of mouth enthusiasm and the spirit of sharing that has let the show continue. "We live in a town where people can afford just about anything they desire, but sometimes the car you restore with your Dad or best friend is the priceless one," Klein wrote in his event publication's welcome page. "Everyone has an opportunity to bring whatever they like. As long as you dig the show, we'll keep going." They will.

Some more philosophical paintings from Carl Stubbs' F-100.

The paint can't shine in the shade, so you have to take a closer look, and it's worth it.

The Stubbs 1956 F-100 has a 2000 Ford Explorer 5.0L under the hood.