9th Annual La Jolla Concours dElegance

The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance has grown into an internationally recognized event. On the weekend of April 5-7, La Jolla, known for its fabulous shopping, dining, and five-star accommodations, turns into a weekend destination of elite automotive-inspired events.

This high-caliber weekend of events has become the place to see and be seen. In its 9th year, the event will kick off with an inaugural party, A Contemporary Classic Cocktail Party presented by Westime, on Friday, April 5, from 7-10pm. This year the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance is honoring the classics, and this exclusive party at Amaya La Jolla will showcase incredible wines, Champagnes, and cocktails from premier beverage purveyors, and will provide unparalleled cuisine encompassing simple to indulgent menu selections. This will be a very intimate soirée with limited tickets available at $125 each.

On Saturday, April 6, car enthusiasts will cruise 60 to 70 miles of San Diego’s beautiful coastline visiting its most scenic locations. The Motor Tour will leave from the San Diego Automotive Museum, and drive to Evans Garage. The next stop will be a catered lunch at The Grand Del Mar prior to one of the most spectacular automotive displays at the private collection of Chuck Spielman’s Only Yesterday Garage. After an eventful and memorable Motor Tour, enjoy a final stop at The La Jolla Country Club for a Champagne toast and awards presentation.

The Ellen Browning Scripps Park will light up the night on Saturday evening with the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance’s Saturday Evening VIP Reception from 6-9pm. This exclusive event is the perfect escape for car entrants, judges, sponsors, and VIP guests to mingle and enjoy a fabulous cocktail party along the oceanfront. Some of La Jolla’s finest restaurants and chefs will be in attendance serving up culinary masterpieces along with high-end silent auction items and incredible entertainment. Limited tickets are available for $100 each.

Concluding this weekend of automotive events will be 9th Annual La Jolla Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, April 7, from 9am-3pm. This year’s pristine collection of vintage automobiles will include: Chuck Spielman’s Duesenberg Convertible Sedan Body by Murphy that took Best In Class at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance; Paul Emple’s 1930 Isotta Fraschini 8A Flying Star Roadster, 1947 Delahaye 175S Cabriolet and his 1930 Minerva AL Van Den Plas Cabriolet; Ken Smith’s 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Disappearing Top Convertible that took Best in Show at both the 2010 Quail Motorsports Gathering; Peter Mullin’s pontoon-fendered 1937 Delahaye Type 145 V-12 Coupe featured in Road & Track Magazine and Classic Driver Magazine; and a car from the Petersen Automotive Museum collection, which has showcased the famed Jonckheere “round-door” Rolls-Royce Phantom I Aerodynamic Coupe and Cadillac Ghia Coupe 1953, once owned by Rita Hayworth in the previous years.

Tickets to the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance are $35 in advance and $40 on the day of the event or upgrade your experience with a VIP Ticket for $100, which includes one entry plus access to the exclusive VIP Area with complimentary food & beverages and one commemorative poster. In addition to these options, elite businesses and individuals will have the option to purchase a hospitality tent located in the center of the Concours action, which will provide a private lounge area along the ocean where guests can all mingle together with an array of complimentary beverages and food.

Attendees will once again see the return of the La Jolla Motor Car Classic at the Concours as an extension of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, expanding the show from the Ellen Browning Scripps Park into the La Jolla Village. This event is free and open to the public and will provide event attendees with a unique display of over 150 cars along with a stage providing a variety of entertainment and a children’s automotive area.

Additional La Jolla Concours d’Elegance highlights include Honorary Chief Judge Ed Gilbertson, a former Head Judge of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, as well as Dr. Cy Conrad the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance chief judge and a past judge of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Keith Martin, editor and publisher of Sports Car Market Magazine, will also be in attendance returning for his third year as emcee of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance.

The funds raised at the 9th La Jolla Concours d’Elegance will benefit the Monarch School Project, which educates students who have been impacted by homelessness and the La Jolla Historical Society, which preserves the history of La Jolla, both organizations are 501(c)3 nonprofits. (619.233.5008, www.lajollaconcours.com)

 

Photography by Rudy Vaca