On August 2nd Rod Authority was able to make it out to Long Beach, California for the world premier of filmmaker and fellow hot rod enthusiast Brian Darwas’s documentary This Is Long Beach. This film is his fifth installment in what has turned out to be a growing collection of films that cover some of the most historic aspects of car and motorcycle culture in our country.

This film follows the history of California’s Long Beach Cavaliers, one of America’s oldest car clubs. For a little over an hour, Darwas gains access and insight into the lives and memories of three generations of club members.

Darwas divides the film into three sections based on the car clubs waves and resurgence: 1st generation covering the people and time period between 1948-1955; 2nd generation members between the years of 1956-1965; and the 3rd generation covering 1998 into the present. It also features footage of the current club helping their member Tony Guardado chop his ‘47 Ford.

Filming took place in Long Beach, and Brad Masterson’s Kustoms Car Shop in Lynwood, California were Tony and his boys worked on the chop inspired by Jesse Lopez’s famous ’41 coupe.

Overall, the film is one good time. You’ll experience lots of laughs by way of the first and second generation members recounting the trouble they got into as adolescents. From second gens stealing hub caps as an initiation right to run ins with rival clubs like Los Angeles’s Pharaohs – it’s one pleasant trip back in time.

As a younger person who’s used to the forewarnings and cautionary tones old timers take, it was nice to hear some coming-of-age tales from those who came before us and lent a hand in laying the foundation of Southern California’s hot rodding and custom car scene.

Brian Darwas is currently embarking on a summer film tour across the coast so be sure to check out his website for updates on locations and times. It was a real treat getting to enjoy the roots of hot rodding on the silver screen and we can’t wait for the next installment.

Be sure to check back often and stay tuned for a full feature on the present day Cavaliers. All we can say is they’ve got some sweet and innovative rides but we’ll hold onto further details until we’re able to do them justice with a full feature piece. Check back often!