Mickey Mefford

Mickey Mefford was a member of the Townsmen car club involved in the infamous clash at the Lakewood Moose Lodge. His son, Christopher Mefford, shared this photo with Kustomrama, offering a glimpse into his father's life during a turbulent time. After serving a year in LA County jail for his role in the incident, Mickey was given the choice to either remain incarcerated or join the Armed Services. He chose to enlist in the Air Force, where he became a jet engine mechanic on Okinawa, transforming his life in the years that followed. Photo courtesy of Christopher Mefford.

This is the plaque of The Townsmen of East Long Beach Car Club, featuring their emblematic character dressed in a top hat and holding a cane, a symbol of their club's identity in the Southern California car scene during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Officially established on September 27, 1959, and centered around Millikan High School in Lakewood, California, the Townsmen were known for their modified cars and, unfortunately, gained notoriety following the events of the 1960 Car Club Murder. Photo courtesy of Car Club Plaques.

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.

Mickey Mefford was a member of the Townsmen of East Long Beach car club, a group deeply involved in the Southern California car culture scene of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He grew up in Lakewood, California, an area that had transformed from a quiet suburban community to a hub of teenage car clubs and cruising destinations.

The 1960 Car Club Murder

Mickey Mefford’s name became intertwined with one of the most notorious events in car club history: the 1960 Car Club Murder. On the night of March 28, 1960, Mickey was part of the Townsmen group that violently stormed a Dutchmen car club meeting at the Lakewood Moose Lodge. The attack, described as a well-coordinated and armed raid, ended in tragedy when 16-year-old Neil Mahan was shot in the head. Although Mickey was not the shooter, he found himself swept up in the aftermath of the incident.

In June 2023, Mickey’s son, Christopher Mefford, spoke to Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama, shedding light on the consequences his father faced. Mickey served a year in Los Angeles County Jail, despite not being directly responsible for the shooting. After serving his sentence, Mickey was given an ultimatum: join the Armed Services or remain incarcerated. He chose to enlist in the Air Force, where he became a jet engine mechanic stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

A Life Shaped by Circumstances

Christopher described his father as someone deeply impacted by the events of his youth and the decisions he was forced to make as a result of the 1960 incident. The Air Force experience in Okinawa provided Mickey with a new direction, though the shadow of the car club culture and the events of that fateful night always lingered.

Mickey Mefford's story is a reflection of the turbulence that surrounded the car club scene in Long Beach during that era. His involvement in the Townsmen and the consequences he faced serve as a stark reminder of how youthful bravado and a desire to belong can lead to life-altering repercussions.