San Marino Motor Classic 2021 Greets 5,000 Guests, 450 Classics
A 1930 Duesenberg Murphy Butterfly Dual Cowl Phaeton owned by Ross Meyer was Best in Show – Pre War, and Peter Mullin’s 1951 Delehaye Model 235 was Best in Show – Post War at the 2021 San Marino Motor Classic August 21 and 22. The annual event attracted 5,000 classic car fans, and 450 cars to the city just south of Pasadena and home of the famed Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.
“We have cars participating from all over the country, and very few local shows have that,” says Aaron Weiss, chairman of the 501(c)3 not-for-profit event, the premier regional automotive exhibition in the San Gabriel Valley and one of the finest concours-level exhibitions in Southern California. He notes that winners this year also traveled from Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Jersey and other states.
Successor to the Los Angeles Concours d’Elegance, the San Marino Motor Classic was established in 2011 by Weiss and co-founders Ben Reiling and Paul Colony and is held in 30-acre Lacy Park in San Marino.
On Saturday afternoon, a dozen celebrated automotive artists displayed their recent works at the Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS) Pavilion at the San Marino Motor Classic.
That evening, the Symphony of Cars Gala took place, also in Lacy Park. While the participants had their food and drinks, they also enjoyed 15 classic cars, and Gary Tole and the Legends of Swing Orchestra played music from their eras. The event was sponsored by David Lee, Hing Wa Lee Jewelers. Proceeds benefit the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, the Rotary Club of San Marino and Cancer Support Community Pasadena.
On Sunday, judges selected seven award-winners as well as first-, second- and third-place awards per class in 45 classes. VIPs had a gourmet luncheon and beverages while watching the awards ceremony.
The Chairman’s Award was given to Mark Hyman for his 1937 Delahaye 135 Torpedo Cabriolet and The Art Center College of Design Designer’s Choice to Ken Roath for his 1955 Ferrari Europa 250GT.
The Most Elegant awards went to a 1914 Packard in the Antique class, Janice & Joe Conzonire; 1933 Cadillac V16 Convertible Coupe, John Groendyke, Open Pre-War Car; 1928 Packard Model 443 Dual Window Phaeton, Dianne and David Reidy, Pre-War Car; and 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 Model D Sedan, Barry Sohnen, Post-War.
In addition, Gary Wales’ 1920 La Bestioni Beast of Turin 14 Liter Racer received the Mayor’s Award; Ron Siess the Meguiar’s Award for his 1971 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible; the Petersen Automotive Museum the San Marino Rotary Club Award for its 1959 Scimitar Hard Top Coupe; and Jason Russo, the Classic Car Capital Award for his 1982 Lamborghini Countach. Finally, the Pasadena Humane Society Award was won by John Chencharick for his 1970 Ford Torino Cobra, and Edgardo Lim took home the People’s Choice Award for his 1966 Toyota Corona.
“After a year of not having our wonderful show, it was great to see so many of our old friends and supporters return and so many new participants and new cars,” says Weiss. “We look forward to welcoming everyone back again next year.” That event will be August 27 and 28 in Lacy Park.
For more information, see www.sanmarinomotorclassic.com.
