Cars and the People who Love Them

50s Car Clubs article header.

In the 1950's, the "hoods" were the boys who wore their hair greased up and their jacket logos flashy. They peeled out from the confinement of society's rules in souped up custom cars that were painted primer black with flames, rode low to the ground, and sounded louder than a rock n roll guitar. Hoods liked to hang with their element, so they formed hot rod gangs to cruise the main streets and drag the backstreets in races that became a trademark for the era.

That same spirit is popping up now among 20- and 30-somethings who are forming car clubs, particularly in Southern California. Seen less as reckless youths on the rampage than true enthusiasts, they love the look and feel of a classic automobile. Whether they keep the cars "stock," that is looking like they did when they were first marketed, or customize them into their own personal hybrid

rides, today's car club members aren't all that different from members of clubs that formed years before they were born.

"All I remember about the car clubs of the 50's is looking out of the backseat of my grandmother's DeSoto and seeing these greasy haired, tough looking guys drive by with car club plaques dangling off the bumper," said Stefan Doamanis, a member of California's West Coast Scrap Metal car club. Today's club members don't look that different from their 50's counterparts either. Sporting greased up pompadours, T-shirts, and rolled up jeans, they can usually be seen hanging a tattooed arm out of their prize wheels while blasting rockabilly music on the stereo.

The idea of being in a car club isn't just about exchanging tips on engine mounting but rather a lifestyle and a celebration of an era. Most clubs form on the basis of friendship and mutual interests such as music and night clubs, "Our club is basically people we know who have cars. It's more of a friendship thing, we all know each other." said West Coast Scrap Metaler, Dave Freston.