Mt. Hollywood Tunnel

Bill Busch's 1949 Mercury photographed by George Barris in front of the Mt. Hollywood Tunnel, Griffith Park, circa 1954. The tunnel’s clean concrete arch and rugged hillside made it an ideal, distraction-free backdrop for early Barris Kustoms photo shoots. Photo by George Barris.

Jerry Reichman's 1950 Mercury photographed by George Barris at the Mt. Hollywood Tunnel. While not a major hotspot like Lynwood City Hall or the Compton Drive-In, sharp-eyed enthusiasts often recognize the distinct shape of the tunnel from these iconic Barris photos. Photo by George Barris.

A present-day Google Street View of the Mt. Hollywood Tunnel photographed in July 2024. While best known to custom-car fans from early Barris photo shoots, the tunnel remains a recognizable filming landmark and looks much the same today as it did in the 1950s. Photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Famous Hot Rod and Custom Car Photo Locations

The Mt. Hollywood Tunnel, located on Mount Hollywood Drive in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, is a lesser-known but memorable backdrop in early custom-car photography. Its simple concrete arch and clean surroundings made it an appealing location for George Barris when he needed a neutral, uncluttered setting that allowed the lines of a custom to stand out.

Barris shot a few cars here in the 1950s, including Bill Busch's 1949 Mercury and Jerry Reichman's 1950 Mercury, giving the tunnel a quiet place in custom-car lore. While not a major hotspot like Lynwood City Hall or the Compton Drive-In, sharp-eyed enthusiasts often recognize the distinct shape of the tunnel from these iconic Barris photos.

Outside the custom-car world, the Mt. Hollywood Tunnel has appeared in numerous films and TV productions. Its most famous roles include Who Framed Roger Rabbit (as the entrance to Toontown), Back to the Future Part II, and WarGames, further cementing its place as a versatile L.A. filming landmark.

Directions

Click here to check out the location on Google Maps.