The Benedict Castle Concours started out as a fundraiser for Teen Challenge of Southern California, one of the largest and most effective substance abuse recovery and prevention programs of its kind. The Concours was founded by a graduate of that program, Nicole Meguiar, who championed it till her untimely passing in 2019. The concours and its cause was picked up and carried on by her family and many friends in the hot rod and car enthusiast community, including Don and Christine Nicholson and a host of volunteers. Car celebrities recognize the show’s value and attend and support it every year, including this year’s Grand Marshal Peter Brock, Sung Kang (of Fast & Furious and his own movie Drifter), Chip Foose, emcee Mike Brewer from Wheeler Dealer, Cody Walker of FuelFest and Fast & Furious (and Paul Walker’s little bro), Mike Spagnola (president of SEMA), automotive designers Dave Marek, Stewart Reed, Ford GT designer and artist Camilo Pardo, car builders Gary Wales and Rick Dore, Shelby Team driver Allen Grant, industry scions Camee Edelbrock, Jo Coddington, Joji Barris, and many more… up to and including Erik Estrada of CHiPs, who joined everyone for the Benedict Castle Concours Gala the night before the show.It all worked. “With donations still coming in and numbers not final, the Benedict Castle Concours may have exceeded the $500,000 mark this year!” said Nicole’s dad Barry Meguiar. “Great cars, massive crowds and un-precedented VIPs... This is a ‘Happening.’”And a car show. See if there’s one you like below. There has to be, they had one of everything. (Thanks to photographers Dave Parker, Randy Berg, James Maxwell, Christine Reed Nicholson, Scott Martin, Evan Sanchez/Magnify, and Ryan Bentley.)Manta RayManta Ray! This iconic custom was built in 1963 by the late, great customizer Dean Jeffries. It rides on a pre-World War II Maserati racing car with a wire-mesh "cage" with the body laid over the bare space frame.Longbow Speedster EV"The Longbow Speedster is an ultra-lightweight British electric vehicle aiming to revolutionize driver engagement by prioritizing agility over heavy battery packs," says its maker. Specs say it weighs 1,973 pounds, goes 275 miles per charge and has a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds. When we saw it at CES it was also supposed to have a solid state battery, but we haven't heard much about that lately. Then we noted that even though the Speedster makes just 300 hp, the all-aluminum Longbow weighs just 1984 pounds (less than the figure above), a ratio strong enough to get it to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds.Its H-shaped battery sits low in the chassis, giving it a ground-hugging center of gravity and a "favorable" center of inertia, according to co-CEO and co-founder Daniel Davey."Since Tesla stopped building the roadster, there are no electric sports cars," he said at CES, apparently forgetting the MG Cyberster.The plan is to build and sell 150 Speedsters in the U.K. and Europe, then start on the Roadster, which gets a roof and a windshield. As such, it will meet all of our U.S. FMVSS standards and be eligible for sale on our shores, Davey said. The plan is to be producing 10,000 a year by 2030. They're taking orders for Speedsters now, if you live over there, at $115,000. No pricing on the Roadster yet.Bisimoto Porsche 935 K3VBisimoto Porsche 935 K3V is a famous electric track monster.Superformance Shelby Daytona CoupeSuperformance Shelby Daytona Coupe continuation car on its way into the show.LamborghinisPart of Meguiar's Exotics on the GreenCobra, MiuraPart of Meguiar's Exotics on the Green1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint SpecialeAdil Farooqui’s 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale won a Designer's Choice award.1953 Cadillac 62 Series Kustom1953 Cadillac 62 Series Kustom built by Keith “Kid” Dean at South End Customs won the Barris Award for Best Kustom.911 OutlawSMG Werks 911 Outlaw.1936 Mercedes 540KAaron and Valerie Weiss’ 1936 Mercedes 540K1936 Packard Victoria ConvertibleForm Mustang GT 350 Custom WagonMustang GT 350 Custom Wagon by Bob Cumberford1963 Ford ThunderbirdPete DeLeon’s 1963 Ford Thunderbird mild custom won a Designer’s Choice award.2022 Ferrari RomaEvel Knievel RidesJeff Styles’ 1975 Custom Shorty Chevy van with Evel Knievel theme came with a matching Evel Knievel-themed bike. Chip Foose worked on it, too. You’d totally rule the school with this set up back in the day.1951 Ford Coupe RestomodDesi DosSantos’ Wicked Shoebox is a heavily customized, award-winning 1951 Ford Coupe restomod.1980 320i Group 5 Tribute1956 Mercedes 300SL1956 Mercedes 300SL from the Nethercutt Collection.1971 Lamborghini Miura SMcLaren SennaCorvette ConvertibleChopped Chevy vanPlymouth Superbird1951 Hudson Commodore custom Chris Holland's ’51 Commodore custom won an Award of Excellence.Lucky Buck Speedster Lucky Buck Speedster by Gary Wales, driven by co-builder Andres Aranda.1991 Lamborghini DiabloDr. Gary Leach’s 1991 Lamborghini Diablo.A Who’s WhoCan you name all the luminaries? Left to right: Chip Foose, Cody Walker, Barry Meguiar, SEMA president Mike Spagnola, Sung Kang, Pete Brock, Mike Brewer from Wheeler Dealer, former Art Center chair of transportation design Stewart Reed, and Cleo Shelby.1932 Ford RoadsterHot Rod Chavik’s latest creation, which should have won the AMBR this year.1969 M6 GT McLaren CoupeCar creator and artist Randy Grubb’s 1969 M6 GT McLaren Coupe, with a 1977 John Collins tub.1969 M6 GT McLaren CoupeGrubb’s McLaren from the rear. The car got the Marconi’s Choice award.1914 MarmonThe Petersen Museum’s 1914 Marmon.Hot Rod LincolnFlames ForeverRat Rod Representing911 GT3 RS1963 Chevy Corvette StingrayLori Kingston’s 1963 split-window Corvette Stingray.“Trinity”Joe Magliato custom #03.Funny CarConcours organizer Don Nicholson recently restored the championship Pro Stock car of his late uncle “Dyno Don” Nicholson.Kids Love CarsNext generation fan.