Wheels of Fortune: Back-to-Back Classic Car Shows
The automotive passion so prominent in Southern California culture manifests itself over the next two weekends in the form of back-to-back auto shows that will feature something for enthusiasts of virtually every marque, model and year.
The 22nd annual Invitational Le Cercle Concours d’Elegance is one of the largest car shows in California held in the “concours” format, which places entries in categories where they are judged and awarded trophies. An annual fixture on the front lawn of the Ambassador Hotel until the property was purchased by developers, the Cercle will be held this year from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Park.
Wide Range of Vehicles
The competition will feature more than 180 vehicles in 15 categories, ranging from horseless carriages to classic sports cars. Actor Kevin McCarthy is celebrity chief judge.
Among the exhibits will be an 1898 DeDion, which is one of the oldest cars in the United States to have been totally restored to drivable condition. Other vehicles on display will include Cadillacs, Packards, Pierce-Arrows, Rolls-Royces, Jaguars and Ferraris, with a special section for American postwar cars of the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Additionally there will be entertainment provided by a Dixieland band, a “classic fashions” show, a silent auction for various automotive items and a raffle in which the grand prize is a round-trip for two to Washington. Food and drink also will be available throughout the day.
“Le Cercle’s Concours d’Elegance has been holding charity events such as this one since 1955,” says Jerry Fields, co-coordinator (with Erik Baltzar) of the event. “We expect to raise $20,000 this year for a worthy cause and expect to double that figure next year as more people find out about our new location.”
Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for children 12 and under, with all proceeds going to benefit the Eddie Cantor Charitable Foundation for Breast Cancer Research at the John Wayne Cancer Clinic. Access to the event is at the south end of the VA property, through the gate located near the corner of Ohio and Sawtelle streets. For further information, call Jerry Fields at (213) 273-1177, or the Eddie Cantor Charitable Foundation at (213) 277-7866.
Next weekend, on Oct. 1, the seventh annual Newport Beach Concours d’Elegance will display more than 140 major classic cars at UC Irvine’s Aldrich Park to raise funds for the Assessment and Treatment Services Center (ATSC), a juvenile counseling program.
With a jury of 60 professional judges, the annual Newport Beach Concours is the final event in a national series of 12 such events and is recognized as one of the top three concours in the United States.
The show is organized and executed by a group of 14 women and one man on the steering committee, says chairperson Linda Shea. “We expect to net more than $100,000 for the ATSC this year, which is an example of American volunteerism at its finest.”
Hosted by celebrity spokesman/classic-car collector Barry Bostwick, the Newport event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature a variety of impeccably restored classic marques, including Bugatti, Duesenberg, Jaguar, Auburn, Delage, Delahaye, Pierce-Arrow, Cord and a classic Packard owned by comedian and Tonight Show guest host Jay Leno.
Variety of Ferraris
Also included will be a variety of Ferraris, including a rare competition model that was featured in the film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” as well as a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder, one of the rarest, most valuable Ferraris in existence.
Additional elements of the daylong event include entertainment, live music and food booths. The price of a ticket, $15 for adults, $8 for children under 12, entitles the purchaser to a full-color 1990 calendar featuring photos of winners of the 1989 Newport event. Advance tickets are available at a discount ($12 for adults and $6 for children under 12) through the center, and can be obtained by a call to (714) 756-0994 or a check to ATSC, 1981 Orchard Drive, Santa Ana 92707.
