By Richard Truesdell
An important new event has been added to the concours calendar with the 12 June launch of the San Marino Motor Classic. Held in Lacy Park in San Marino, California and headed up by Aaron Weiss, Paul Colony, and Ben Reiling, the San Marino Motor Classic replaces an event previously held at the Rose Bowl. The inaugural event attracted a world-class field of nearly 200 entries covering 16 classes.
The judging was divided into two main categories. In one group were the more than 100 vintage, classic, and exotic cars, including brass-era automobiles from the turn of the previous century. They shared the show field with 82 classic vehicles judged by the Classic Car Club of America, most of which dated to the period between the two world wars. Dominated by more than 30 Packards, the class also featured a number of Cadillacs, Lincolns, Auburns, Duesenbergs, Pierce-Arrows, Jaguars, Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and more than a half dozen additional marques.
Judges selected the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing owned by John La Barbera for the Best of Show award. More than 200 photos are now posted in the Automotive Traveler/Fotki Image Gallery.
The Classic benefitted the San Marino Rotary Charities and the Pasadena Humane Society.
Full results and information on next year's event, already scheduled for 10 June 2012, is posted on the San Marino Motor Classic's website. As the photographs on the following pages attest, if the first event is any indication, it promises to be stellar.
1940 Packard 1807 Darrin Convertible Sedan, owned by D. David France. (France drove his classic to the event from Palm Springs.)
1957 Corvette Roadster, owned by Dennis Pagliano.
1964 Jaguar 3.8-liter Semi-Lightweight E-Type, owned by Bruce Meyer.
1964 Sunbeam Tiger Le Mans, owned by Darrell Mountjoy.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, owned by Ted Stroscher. Check out the plaid interior trim and factory-fitted luggage.
1960 Mercedes-Benz 220SE Cabriolet, owned by Paul Colony.
1965 Porsche 356-C Coupe, owned by Eric Breslow--representing the end of the 356 era at Porsche.
1972 Porsche 911S Targa, owned by Ray Crawford--an award-winning example of an early Porsche 911.
1969 Maserati Ghibli Coupe, owned by Robert Funari and powered by a small-block Chevrolet V8.
1959 Lancia Flaminia Zagato Coupe, owned by Bruce Milner.
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SS Sprint Speciale (body by Bertone), owned by Mike Malamut.
1960 Ferrari 250 PF Coupe, owned by Paul Colony.
1910 Kissel Tonneau, owned by Frank Bristing.
1930 Packard 745 Dietrich Convertible Victoria, owned by the Margie and Robert Petersen Collection.
1930 Cadillac 452A Fleetwood Roadster, owned by Frederick Lax.
1932 Auburn 12-160 Boattail Speedster, owned by Stan Lucas.
1933 Cadillac 452C Fisher Convertible Coupe, owned by Aaron and Valerie Weiss.
1928 La Salle Model 303 Roadster, owned by Richard Stanley.
1941 Chevrolet Cantrell F55 Station Wagon, owned by Richard Luna.
1946 Chrysler Sportsman, owned by Aaron and Valerie Weiss.