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2006 LA Concours
By: Frank Filipponio
Photos by Drew Phillips
May 23, 2006

Article Images


The Inaugural Los Angeles Concours d’Elegance held May 21, 2006 featured more than 200 classic, vintage, antique and exotic vehicles in a judged competition held at the historic Rose Bowl and adjacent Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena. The setting provided a beautiful backdrop for the pre-1984 vehicles, which included European and American classics and European sports and touring cars. The venue had ample space for the vehicles allowing plenty of elbow room for the visitors.

Despite the overcast skies and light drizzle early in the day, the turnout was pretty good for a first-time event, which raised funds to benefit the eight services of Assistance League of Southern California, a nonprofit corporation founded in 1919 that serves more than 100,000 individuals in need, from infants to the elderly, each year.

Honored Marque Ferrari was well-represented in both judged and display-only vehicles. Several Dinos, Daytonas, Lussos, and Specials, an Enzo, 308s, 330s, 365s, and a whole slew of 250 derivatives were arrayed around the fairways and greens. A couple of highlights were the silver 1957 von Neumann Testa Rossa and 1949 166 MM Barchetta that were featured on the commemorative event posters.

An eclectic collection of racecars was lined up along one end of the field, representing drag racing, NASCAR, SCCA, IMSA, sprint cars, and open-wheeled racing through the ages. Gurney and Foyt’s LeMans winning GT40 Mk. IV, a Bugatti 37A, Old Yeller II, and a genuine ’65 Cobra competition car, shared space with a 1965 Alfa GTA, a Stanguellini, Huffaker Genie, Jaguar Lister, and even a 3-wheeled Morgan Beetle Back.

The vintage and classic machines were a real crowd favorite. An 1895 Mercedes, 1904 Pope Toledo, 1915 Silver Ghost, 1924 Bugatti T-46, 1934 Chrysler Airflow, were particularly attractive, but three cars really stood out in this arena: The naugahyde-wrapped 1927 Lancia Lambda, 1931 Bugatti Type 51 Atlantic-Coupe-homage, rebodied Formula 1 car, and the Petersen Museum’s 1939 Figoni and Filaschi, ex-Shah of Iran Bugatti 57C Roadster that had me drooling the moment I saw it.

American classics and musclecars, Aston Martins and Porsches, Woodies and British sportscars, Pre-war iron and exotic Euro-American hybrids drew the eye in every direction. Look over there, a Lamborghini Urraco, Lancia Fulvia rallye car and an Alfa
Romeo Montreal near a sweet Bizzarrini 5300 Strada, Facel Vega Facel II, and a DeTomaso Pantera L.

Who could ask for anything more? Well there was more as the pictures attest. And next year should be even better. The event was a lot of fun and aside from the lack of refreshment options, has to be considered a great success.

www.laconcours.com www.assistanceleague.net