San Marino Motor Classic concours, 2016

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This amazing show has grown beyond the scope of a “regional concours” and continues to gain in quality and scope of a much more national or international level. It is my honor to serve as a judge for this event, but I would attend every year I could no matter.

One of the few moments this fabulous Tatra didn't have a crowd around it.

One of the few moments this fabulous Tatra didn’t have a crowd around it.

Part of its magic is location, this event an outgrowth and rebirth of the previous Los Angeles Concours that was held on the grounds of the country club that sits next to the Rose Bowl, and unfortunately lived an all too short life.  The location is now Lacey Park in San Marino, CA.  Lacey Park is gorgeous and its design and layout really lends itself to a car show.   There’s a large grassy field and a ring road that circles it.  Plenty of room and clear site lines.  Parking outside the park is a little dodgier, but arrive early and you won’t be parking more than a block or two away.

Part of the fun of arriving early at any great show is to watch and hear the entrants roll in.

Part of the fun of arriving early at any great show is to watch and hear the entrants roll in.

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Very racy looking Stutz.  Check out that round glass windscreen.

Very racy looking Stutz. Check out that round glass windscreen.

I've long felt that the 1940s was one of Cadillac's greatest, as evidenced by this fabulous '42 Fleetwood convertible sedan..

I’ve long felt that the 1940s was one of Cadillac’s greatest, as evidenced by this fabulous ’42 Fleetwood convertible sedan..

San Marino also offers a “show with in a show” aspect in that the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) holds a concours event within the San Marino confines.  So if you love really early iron, and especially classic era machines of the Depressions through WWII eras, you’ll be happy here.  The rest of the show has plenty of classes for post WWII, Cobra, Porsches, Muscle,  Corvettes, Ferraris, Mercedes-Benz and all manner of other interesting cars.  Something for everyone here.  Your easily likely to see Jay Leno and some other celebrity car guys cruising the lawn.

Of course it is an Enzmann 506 -- can't believe you didn't know that!

Of course it is an Enzmann 506 — can’t believe you didn’t know that!

If the plate fits, wear it.

If the license plate fits, wear it.

Organizer Aaron Weiss, and his team put on a super high quality event, offering up world class cars in a lovely environment.  And there’s a huge charity aspect to this day as well; ticket prices are reasonable, and every year the donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to various local charities.  The event is kid and pet friendly too, so everyone should come out, and bring your picnic too (if not there’s a wide variety of food trucks serving up great fare.

How's this for a heart-stopping layout of all of Ferrari's great hypercars.  And yes, they all belong to one (very lucky) guy.

How’s this for a heart-stopping layout of all of Ferrari’s great hypercars. And yes, they all belong to one (very lucky) guy.

I hope you enjoy these great Kirk Gerbracht photos, and you might want to mark June 11, 2017 into your diary as “San Marino Concours” day for next year.  I’ll be there, hopefully with a car entered, and hope to see you there as well.

and more Ferraris...

and more Ferraris…

lots of absolutely show quality muscle on hand too.

lots of absolutely show quality muscle on hand too.

True Brit: the lines of the original Jaguar XK120 fixed head coupe never grow old, just timeless.

True Brit: the lines of the original Jaguar XK120 fixed head coupe never grow old, just timeless.

Another great automotive view I'll never tire of.  Lots of winged things on hand at San Marino.

Another great automotive view I’ll never tire of. Lots of winged things on hand at San Marino.

Interesing combination of original patinated elements, plus restore stuff in this Gullwing cabin.

Interesing combination of original patinated elements, plus restore stuff in this Gullwing cabin.

My friend Jeff's '74 Alfa Spider, a previous San Marino class award winner.

My friend Jeff’s ’74 Alfa Spider, a previous San Marino class award winner.

Fine array of Asian classics on hand like this dazzling Mazda Cosmo and the right hand drive Hino coupe just behind.

Fine array of Asian classics on hand like this dazzling Mazda Cosmo and the right hand drive Hino coupe just behind.

more great Asian treats

more great Asian treats

You won't see so many Nissan Figaros in the United States, as its just crazy trying to get one imported and legally registered in the U.S.

You won’t see so many Nissan Figaros in the United States, as its just crazy trying to get one imported and legally registered in the U.S.

This amazing Studebaker Golden Hawk just defines the 1950s.

This amazing Studebaker Golden Hawk just defines the 1950s.

And a fine class of traditionally styled hot rods.

And a fine class of traditionally styled hot rods.

This mildly rodded, gently raked '40 Ford cut a perfect profile with its great shape and stance.

This mildly rodded, gently raked ’40 Ford cut a perfect profile with its great shape and stance.

Sorry, but small-block Cobras just make me weepy.

Sorry, but small-block Cobras just make me weepy.

What you likely can't tell from all the single car photos is that this is a really large event, worth the price of admission, and with lots of something for everyone.  Keep up to date on the 2017 event at https://www.sanmarinomotorclassic.com/

What you likely can’t tell from all the single car photos is that this is a really large event, worth the price of admission, and with lots of something for everyone. Keep up to date on the 2017 event at https://www.sanmarinomotorclassic.com/