Classic car show revs up the crowd

More than 10,000 spectators and car enthusiasts flocked to downtown Burbank on Saturday to admire roughly 200 classic cars at the third annual Downtown Burbank Car Classic, a show made up of cars featured on television shows and in movies.

Highlights included George Clooney’s Batmobile, brought to the show by Warner Bros. VIP Tours, which allowed spectators to take a seat behind the wheel.

PHOTOS: Downtown Burbank Car Classic draws a crowd

City officials also recognized and welcomed Ryan Friedlinghaus from West Coast Customs, as the company is soon moving to Burbank near the Bob Hope Airport, said Marissa Minor, economic development analyst for the city.

Meanwhile, Drake Bell, a musician formerly with the television series “Drake & Josh,” joined the live band on stage for a few songs, while children in attendance were encouraged to demonstrate their creative skills by painting on a van brought by Media City Church.

“The show went really well,” Minor said. “Everyone came out and really braved the heat.”

Other cars on display included a 1963 Oldsmobile Starfire from “Jersey Boys,” a 1961 Volkswagen Beetle from “Herbie: Fully Loaded,” a 1965 Lincoln Continental convertible from HBO’s “Entourage,” a 2002 Jaguar XKR from “Die Another Day,” and a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 from “Almost Famous.”

Ed Levitt, known in Burbank as Ed Car Guy, won the Petersen Preservation Pick award for best preserved vehicle for his 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe, “Vivian.” The award, he said, was “the highlight of her career.”

Levitt bought the Mustang in 2010 as its third owner. He was struck by the car’s high documentation — he even has the receipt for the car’s first oil change in July 1968, which cost a total of $2.75.

Over the years, anything that was replaced on the car was done so with “new old” stock — parts that were made at the time the vehicle was manufactured, but were never used.

“A car is only original once, then it’s molested or modified or customized,” Levitt said. “This is none of those.”

At the event, the following car owners received awards for their cars in six categories:

Best in Show: Tom Leonard, 1947 Triumph

Burbank Mayor’s Award (Most Classic): Eric Hernandez, 1932 Pierce Arrow

The “Jay Leno Award” (Most Unusual Vehicle): Steven Pierce, London Taxi

Best Pre-1960 Vehicle: Art Gragnotty, 1956 Mercury Montclair

Best Post-1960 Vehicle: Larry Grey, 1969 Chevy Camaro

Petersen Preservation Pick: Ed Levitt, 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe