Dutchmen of Paramount

This stunning 1958 Pontiac Bonneville, owned by Dutchmen of Paramount member Floyd De Boer became one of the club’s most iconic cars. Customized at Ed Schelhaas' Custom Shop, the Bonneville featured a nosed hood, decked trunk, mesh grille, and 1956 Oldsmobile taillights. It was lowered for a sleek, ground-hugging stance, accented with lake pipes, dual dummy spotlights, and 1958 Dodge Lancer hubcaps. The car's wild paint job was masterfully applied by Larry Watson of Watson's House of Style, with a plum and bronze lacquer base, brass-gold scallops, flame patterns on the rear fenders, and black fogging around the trim, creating an unforgettable work of art on wheels.

The 1960 Car Club Murder. On March 28, 1960, a violent car club clash shook Long Beach, California, when members of the Townsmen of East Long Beach Car Club raided a meeting of the Dutchmen of Paramount at the Lakewood Moose Lodge. The attack left 16-year-old Neil Mahan critically injured with a gunshot wound to the head. The event, covered in newspapers like the Independent on March 30, 1960, sent shockwaves through the local community and marked a pivotal moment in the region's car club history. The aftermath of the incident, involving multiple arrests and a high-profile trial, was seen by some as signaling the decline of the car club culture among teenagers in the area. Photo courtesy of the Independent, March 30, 1960.

Jim Beeson's 1960 Ford Starliner. Jim became a member of the Dutchmen in 1959, at the time he drove a mildly restyled 1953 Plymouth. Jim bought the Starliner brand new in the Spring of 1960.

This vintage club shirt belonged to Lonnie Parrish, a member of the Dutchmen of Paramount car club and a 1960 graduate of Paramount High School. The classic blue shirt proudly displays "Dutchmen Paramount" on the back, with Lonnie's name embroidered on the front. It's a nostalgic piece that captures the spirit and camaraderie of the car club culture in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Photo courtesy of Patty Waters.

The Dutchmen of Paramount was a car club based out of Paramount, California, during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The club's name, "Dutchmen," was inspired by the local community, which was known for its many dairies owned by families of Dutch descent. This connection to the area's heritage made the Dutchmen a fitting and iconic name for the car club.

The Dutchmen were known for their active presence in the Southern California car scene, where they customized and cruised their cars, frequently participating in local meets and events. They often gathered at popular spots, including Moose Lodge Hall, where they held meetings and social events.

The 1960 Car Club Murder

One of the most significant and tragic events associated with the Dutchmen was the 1960 Car Club Murder, in which their club became the victims of a violent raid by members of the Townsmen of East Long Beach Car Club. The attack took place at a Dutchmen meeting at the Lakewood Moose Lodge on March 28, 1960, and left 16-year-old Dutchmen member Neil Mahan critically injured. Mahan was shot in the head as he sought refuge from the attackers and later succumbed to his injuries.

Dutchmen member Jim Beeson provided a firsthand account of that night. In a 2012 interview with Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama, he described how the Townsmen's claim of seeking a "peace meeting" was false. According to Jim, the attack was a complete surprise: "We were just having our meeting, messing around when the Townsmen busted through the door and the windows. We were outnumbered by about two to one, but to make it even worse, the attackers had various weapons; they came fully prepared. I had never run away from a fair fight in my life, but being no dummy, me and my friends got out of there as fast as we could."

Despite the tragedy, the Dutchmen remained an integral part of the local car culture, remembered not only for the unfortunate events but also for their camaraderie, unique customs, and love for cars.

Members

Bob Hickcox
Floyd DeBore
Jim Beeson
Lonnie Parrish
Neil Mahan

Club Cars

Jim Beeson's 1953 Plymouth
Floyd DeBore's 1958 Pontiac Bonneville
Jim Beeson's 1960 Ford Starliner