“Car culture is a part of Los Angeles culture,” said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Heather Hutt during the “Hot Cakes & Hot Rods” community gathering outside Earle’s On Crenshaw. Looking out at an array of multicolored classic automobiles, collector vehicles and vintage concours cars, she added, “We’re in Motor City. We are the reason why Detroit was able to sustain itself because we bought the vehicles here.”
Classic cars lined the street as residents ate breakfast and talked during the Sunday morning event on March 8. Earle’s On Crenshaw and several car clubs hosted the gathering to honor Bruce C. Gray, a longtime Fremont High School automotive instructor who taught generations of students how to maintain and modify vehicles.
For many in the community, Fremont High’s automotive program introduced young mechanics to the car culture that still gathers along the Crenshaw corridor today. Many car clubs across Los Angeles were later started by Gray’s former students.
During the event, Gray received a Los Angeles City Certificate of Recognition for his contributions to automotive education. The neighborhood celebration continued a long tradition of car culture along the Crenshaw corridor, where cruising and car clubs have brought people together for decades.
Hutt also shared a personal connection to the automotive world. “My grandfather was the first black car dealer west of the Mississippi. He had lots where he sold vehicles right on Avalon in the 1940s. It was C and D auto. And so, the car culture has been a part of my family my whole life.”
Car club members said their groups continue to grow as more enthusiasts join the scene. Mike, known as Big Mike, said his club began around 2018 with a small group of friends who shared a passion for cars…