Approximately 350 classic cars will compete in 35 classes during the 11th edition of The San Marino Motor Classic, Sunday, August 28, at Lacy Park, 1485 Virginia Road, in San Marino, California. More than 5,000 motoring enthusiasts are expected to visit the city in Los Angeles County to compete and participate in a weekend of activities.
“Our annual community event brings increased awareness of the history of the motor vehicle through a broad-spectrum exhibition of historical automobiles from the early to mid-twentieth century,” says Aaron Weiss, who founded the 501(c)3 not-for-profit event in 2011 with the late Ben Reiling and Paul Colony.
“It is a full concours event in picturesque Lacy Park with objective judging that attracts the finest cars from some of the best-known collectors in both Southern California and throughout the country,” he explains.
The weekend offers a variety of activities.
The annual Automotive Fine Arts Society Art Expo takes place Saturday afternoon in the park, 4–6 p.m. Admission is free. Immediately following is the Symphony of Cars Gala, 6–10 p.m. This includes a display of 12 select cars as an orchestra plays a score from the model year of the car, a hosted bar and gourmet dinner with paired wines. The Gala benefits Cancer Support Community Pasadena. Tickets are $275/person.
The San Marino Motor Classic will be held Sunday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the gate; they may be purchased online at sanmarinomotorclassic.com.
The Porsche Club of America San Gabriel Valley Region is holding its concours in conjunction with the San Marino Motor Classic as is the Ferrari Club of America Southwest Region. The Classic Car Club of America, Southern California Region, will hold its Paul Cerf Meet and Packards International its Grand Salon. Paul Cerf was a founder of the Southern California Region of the Classic Car Club of America.
On Sunday, cars will compete at the 30-acre park with class awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. To close the event, two Best in Shows Award, Pre-War and Post War, and approximately 16 special awards will be given including People’s Choice.
Last year’s Best in Show – Pre War was the 1930 Duesenberg Murphy Butterfly Dual Cowl Phaeton owned by Ross Myers, and Best in Show – Post War was a 1951 Delehaye Model 235 owned by Peter Mullin. In the Concorso Ferrari, the Best in Show was a 1955 Ferrari Europa 250GT owned by Ken Roath.
Chief Judge for the San Marino Motor Classic is John Milliken, ICJAG Certified. “FCA judges judge the Ferrari Classes, CCA judges all C Classes, and some judges come from marque car clubs,” Weiss explains.
On Sunday, a VIP luncheon is available at $150/person. Food will also be available at a midway, where 15 trade booths will also offer gift items.
The Presenting Sponsor is Rusnak Auto Group. Other sponsors are Davie Lee and Hing Wa Lee Jewelers, Symphony of Cars Gala; Team Janice Lee/Berkshire Hathaway and Bonhams, Art Expo and Sale; Gooding & Co. and Chubb, the Entrant’s Breakfast; Vance Weisbruch/COMPASS, VIP Reception; and First Republic Bank; the People’s Choice award.
Proceeds benefit three 501(c)3 nonprofit charities: the Pasadena Humane Society, Cancer Support Community Pasadena and the Rotary Club of San Marino.
Children 12 and under are admitted free. Online tickets can be purchased at sanmarinomotorclassic.com.
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