La Jolla Concours d’Elegance Concludes 13th Year Of Inspired Automotive Experiences And Sets Sights On 2018
In a day and age of dwindling automotive events, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance offers an inspired and renewed energy to the Concours scene as its 13th year concludes. Staying true to the tagline “world class cars, world class experience” the La Jolla Concours proved yet again that it is so much more than just a car show. Taking place Friday, April 7th through Sunday, April 9th, the chic coastal town of La Jolla, California transformed into a paradise for automotive enthusiasts.
On Friday, April 7th, the La Jolla Concours was kicked off with a bang at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Contemporary Classic Cocktail Party presented by The LOT. The LOT’s boutique atmosphere set the scene for a showcase of the finest cars of the Rolls-Royce fleet, provided by O’Gara Coach La Jolla, to take center stage as over 400 party-goers relished and danced unabashed into the night. Live performances on the world famous Sonic Butterfly long string chromatic harp took the elegant affair to new heights as all 26 harp strings arched out above the crowd attached to the adjacent building creating a full sensory experience. The Balvenie provided tastings of their finest whiskeys and guests were treated to hand-rolled cigars as silver Rolls-Royce mascots came to life and towered above the crowd on stilts.
On Saturday, April 8th, the BH Gold Tour d’Elegance presented by Symbolic International invited over 200 attendees to take a scenic tour of San Diego’s most treasured collections. The Tour kicked off at Symbolic International with a tour of the showroom over coffee and breakfast. From there, the motorcade paraded through San Diego to Chuck Spielman’s Only Yesterday Museum where entrants were given a very rare and unique opportunity to see one of the most incredible collections of automobiles as well as view spectacular military artifacts. The tour then traveled to the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club where guests were treated to a delicious lunch on the white sands of San Diego’s only private beach. A vintage flyover above provided a private aviation show for tour guests as they dined and mingled with other car enthusiasts.
The evening of Saturday, April 8th, entrants, judges, sponsors, and a few lucky members of the public spent an evening of wonder filled with inspiration and indulgence at the Bentley Motors “Imagine” VIP Reception presented by Fraser. Over 1000 guests were led through spiraling doors before entering the reception which featured five hosted bars with curious car-inspired craft cocktails by Hendricks Gin, samplings from 15 incredible restaurants, a secret gin and whisky tasting garden, a silent and live auction, and stunning live entertainment. Larger than life stilt walkers paraded massive poodles around the party as gorgeous dancers swayed above the crowd clad in white.
The 2017 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance concluded its 13th year on a high note on April 9th, 2017 with a fantastic display of automobiles set along the picturesque cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. The astounding automobiles were curated by the expertise of a dedicated, all-volunteer committee led by Chairman G. Michael Dorvillier, Vice Chairman Harry Clark, and Chief Judge Nigel Matthews. The show saw over 10,000 attendees over the course of the day. The superior collections were highlighted by similarly superior experiences with the introduction of the Bentley Motors Champagne and Honey Tasting Garden, offering tasting flights of honey from around the world. VIP guests were welcomed to the Bridge Club for hosted bars and satisfying nibbles from 15 of San Diego’s top chefs.
125 stunning displays of automotive innovation competed in 17 classes during the La Jolla Concours. From the featured marque, Packard, to incredible one-of a kind automobiles, American classics, vintage racers, modern supercars, and more, this year’s La Jolla Concours d’Elegance evoked the sense of being treated to a pop-up museum of moving sculpture. Guests were given the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the fine display of rare, high-caliber automobiles that have not been showcased in the past three years, and will not be considered for the La Jolla Concours again until 2020. Eyes turned to the skies for a vintage airshow featuring beautifully restored aircrafts.
The Best of Show award was presented to Ron and Sandy Hansen for their beautiful 1921 Duesenberg – A Dual Cowl Phaeton.
The 2018 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance is on course to produce the most extravagant and elegant affair yet. Save the date for a weekend of beautiful cars, world class parties and over-the-top decadence; April 6th – April 8th, 2018.
Best In Show Winner: Ron and Sandy Hansen's 1921 Duesenberg – A Dual Cowl Phaeton
2017 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance Specialty Winners
Best in Show
Ron and Sandy Hansen
1921 Duesenberg – A Dual Cowl PhaetonMost Outstanding Post-War
Donnie Crevier and Larry Alderson
1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica 2 Door Aerodynamic CoupeMost Outstanding Pre-War
Aaron and Valerie Weiss
1936 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A 2 Door Convertible CoupeLa Jolla Historical Society Preservation Award
Skip and Margo Atkins
1966 427 Cobra RoadsterHVA Award for Best Preserved Vehicle
Randy Carlson
1934 Packard Super 8 1103 SedanThis Car Matters Award for a Well Preserved Car of Historical Significance
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
1915 Packard 1-35 TouringThe Spirit of Motoring Award
Eric Hoover
1973 Lotus Elan Plus 2S 130 2 Door CoupeMayor’s Award
Bruce Spangrud
1954 Packard Caribbean ConvertiblePeople’s Choice Award
Riverside International Auto Museum Foundation
1951 Maserati A6G-2000 Pininfarina CoupePhillip Wichard Memorial Trophy
The William Lyon Family
1934 Packard Twelve Model 1108 Runabout Speedster by LeBaronChairman’s Award
The Stephens Family
1927 Packard 343 Murphy Convertible SedanHonorary Judges Choice Award
Camilo Pardo
2005 Ford GT 2 DoorAubrey Taylor Award of Excellence for Best Upholstery
Petersen Automotive Museum
1953 Nash-Healey Pininfarina ConvertibleLPL Summit Most Elegant Award
Roy Sayles
1929 Bianchi S8 Convertible Touring
2017 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance Class Winners
2A – American Classics (1925-1948)
Ron and Sandy Hansen, 1921 Duesenberg-A Dual Cowl Phaeton
Gary Marchetti, 1931 Nash 887 4 Door Sedan Town Car
Frederick Lax, 1934 Auburn V12 Model 1250 Phaeton Salon Convertible
2B – Packard (Through 1932)
Richard Walworth, 1931 Packard 833 Five Passenger 2 Door
Richard Greenfield, 1927 Packard Runabout 2 Door
Collins Family Partnership, 1929 Packard 645 DC Phaeton
2C – Packard (1933-1958)
Neil Torrence, 1942 Packard Formal Sedan
Tom O’Hara, 1934 Packard 1101 4 Door Convertible Sedan
Randy Carlson, 1934 Packard Super 8 1103 Sedan
3 – European Classics (1925-1948)
Aaron and Valerie Weiss, 1936 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A 2 Door Convertible Coupe
Colin Seid, 1935 SS1 Jaguar Tourer
Roy Sayles, 1929 Bianchi S8 Convertible Touring
4 – Rolls-Royce and Bentley
Roxanne Day, 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud
Candace and Cody Sears, 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II HJ Mulliner ParkWard Drophead Coupe
Captain Terence and Melody Johnson, 1939 Bentley Owen Sedanca Coupe
5 – Ferrari
Donnie Crevier and Larry Alderson, 1963 Ferrari 400 Superamerica 2 Door Aerodynamic Coupe
Charles Wegner, 1968 Ferrari Dino 206 GT Coupe
W Malcolm and Naomi Barksdale, 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Berlinetta
6 – Modern Supercars
Bill Ceno, 1988 Porsche 959 Coupe
Bill Ceno, 1995 Ferrari F50 Berlinetta/Barchetta
Rudy Vilkutaitis, 1966 Ford GT40 MK II GT Race Car
7A – Corvette
James and Gail Smalley, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Jason L. Fisher, 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible
Michael Vietro, 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
7B – American Sports and Muscle
Joseph and Shella Salvo, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 2 Door Hardtop
Barry Connally, 1976 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega Coupe
William Gise, 1964 Shelby AC Cobra Roadster
8A – Coachbuilt by Pininfarina
Garry Peters, 1960 250 GT PF Ferrari Series 11 Roadster
Tom Frick, 1993 Ferrari 512TR Pininfarina
Greg and Margie Millard, 1966 Pininfarina Peugeot 404 Coupe
8B – Italian Sports Cars
Charles Dunn, 1951 Alfa Romeo 1900 Coupe
Antonio Covelli, 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Bollino d Oro Sedan
Dr. Perry and Judith Mansfield, 1972 Jarama Coupe
9A – Austin-Healey (100 and 3000)
Steve and Cindi Kirby, 1967 Austin-Healey OTS
Marty Hovivian, 1953 Austin-Healey Roadster
Capt. Dave Grundies, USN (Ret.), 1965 Austin-Healey 3000 MK III Phase 2 Convertible
9B – Jaguar
Marco De La Barrera, 1951 Jaguar Roadster
Craig Wright, 1965 Jaguar E-Type Fixed Head Coupe
Colin Seid, 1956 Jaguar XK140 MC, Drop Head Coupe
9C – British Sports Cars
Ned Scudder, 1966 AC Cobra Roadster
Eric Hoover, 1973 Lotus Elan Plus 2S 130 2 Door Coupe
Ron and Deborah Rader, 1954 Nash Healey Le Mans Coupe
10A – Porsche
Paul Colony, 1962 Porsche 356 Twin Grill Super 90 Roadster
Mark Leonard, 1964 Porsche 356
LL (Mike) Fowler, 1957 Porsche 356A Coupe
10B – Mercedes-Benz
Barry Sohnen, 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300d Coupe
Tammy Baufield, 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible
Jeff Wu, 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
11 – Race Cars
Antonio Covelli, 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super Bollino d Oro Sedan
Mike Fisher, 1959 Bocar XP5 Roadster
Fred Yeakel, 1964 Bill Thomas Motors – Cheetah Coupe
100% of net proceeds raised at the 13th Annual La Jolla Concours d’Elegance benefited local 501(c)3 non-profit La Jolla Historical Society. For more information on the Concours, please visit LaJollaConcours.com or call 619-233-5008.
