Redondo Beach Classic Car Show Closes Out 25-Year Tradition

REDONDO BEACH, CA — Harbor Drive in Redondo Beach bustled with cars Saturday, as the Cruise at the Beach held its final show — ending a 25-year tradition that has served as a subtle reminder of the city's 1970s car culture.

Darryl Boyd, the show’s founder, happily greeted and hugged attendee after attendee as he weaved in and out of cars, clipboard in hand.

“I'm very tired, but it was all worth it,” Boyd said of the final show, which was Cruise at the Beach's 17th annual Christmas show.

The parking lot echoed with live music by the Michael Forbes Explosion Band, while attendees danced, and the United States Marine Corps greeted guests as they brought unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots drive.

Boyd glanced at the rows of cars.

“We got a lot of cars,” Boyd said. “We got maybe 300 cars here today, I think. I’m trying to talk to as many people as I can, but it's hard. We're just so busy.”

Bob June, who has been participating in the shows for the past 15 years, sat in a chair beside his light green 1956 Volkswagen Beetle, talking with other participants.

“It’s been a nice place to go,” June said of Cruise at the Beach. “I've met a lot of people, so it's nice. It's something to enjoy and have somebody enjoy your car. … And I'm sad to see it go.”

Boyd echoed the sentiment.

“It's sad, and I'm gonna miss it,” he said. “It’s our crowd and the people that I'm going to miss the most, but it's just time, you know. It's just time.”

Aside from the event ending due to stress over conflict with a local business owner, Boyd said the wear and tear that comes with putting on a show is taxing.

“I'm not a young guy, and it’s two days to put on one show pretty much,” he said.

Boyd paused as he thought about what it meant to see his final show come to fruition.

“I'm happy; I'm sad, but I'm proud too,” Boyd said. "I'm proud of my family."

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed the street where the car show took place. The correct street is Harbor Drive.