Elegant. Stylish. High-design – all adjectives used to define the exquisite vintage automobiles hand-chosen to compete on the green at the Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance, Sunday, May 20, 2012. Held at the iconic Marin County Civic Center, this year’s event celebrates the gorgeous craftsmanship of French coachbuilders such as Figoni & Falaschi, Saoutchik, and Chapron and Italian designers such as Bertone, Zagato and Vignale. Extraordinary Cord automobiles will also be featured in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the last year these cars were produced as well as closed wheel sports racing cars. A 1938 Talbot-Lago T 150 C SS “Goutte […]
Elegant. Stylish. High-design – all adjectives used to define the exquisite vintage automobiles hand-chosen to compete on the green at the Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance, Sunday, May 20, 2012. Held at the iconic Marin County Civic Center, this year’s event celebrates the gorgeous craftsmanship of French coachbuilders such as Figoni & Falaschi, Saoutchik, and Chapron and Italian designers such as Bertone, Zagato and Vignale. Extraordinary Cord automobiles will also be featured in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the last year these cars were produced as well as closed wheel sports racing cars.
A 1938 Talbot-Lago T 150 C SS “Goutte d’Eau” will be just one of the extraordinary automobiles featured from coachbuilder Figoni & Falaschi. Entered by the Mullin Automotive Museum Foundation, this car was originally ordered by Woolf Barnato, a well-known 1930s playboy, race car driver and financier. Also on hand will be the vintage 1947 Cisitalia 202 Cabriolet once owned by Argentinian first lady Eva Peron and her husband Juan. Currently part of the Classic Car Collection at the Academy of Art University, chassis number ‘021’ was the first 202 cabriolet produced by Cisitalia and the only one whose coachwork was designed and manufactured by famed Italian designer and coachbuilder Battista “Pinin” Farina.
Many new features have been added this year to Concours Sunday including three judged classes of vintage British motorcycles and a vintage military vehicle display. In connection with the focus on French and Italian design, fashion will also play a new role with the introduction of suggested dress attire for the Concours green including hats and gloves for women; madras and khakis slacks and blazers for men. Awards for “Best Hat,” “Best Ensemble,” “Best Dressed Couple” and “Best Period Ensemble” will be presented during the event.
Following is an outline of the events comprising the Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance Weekend. For more information regarding the weekend’s activities please visit the Web site at www.marinsonomaconcours.org. Dedicated to advancing the interest of vintage automobile culture and promoting the education of its heritage to the community through events celebrating the automobile, the Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance has been able to raise close to half a million dollars for local charities serving Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco counties.
Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance Weekend Festivities:
The Chairman’s Dinner • Friday, May 18, 2012 Ram’s Gate Winery • Sonoma • $250 per person
Join Concours Chairman John Nirenstein as he hosts this exclusive dinner and auction at the new Ram’s Gate Winery in Sonoma, Calif. Billed as “bringing together the best in wine, architecture, interior design, food and unprecedented guest experience,” Ram’s Gate Winery and executive chef Jason Rose will present a culinary event of distinction for Chairman’s Dinner guests. A Bugatti Veyron, the automobile that set the land speed record for production cars will be on display as will a 1938 Talbot-Lago T 150 C SS “Goutte d’Eau” from the Mullin Automotive Museum collection. Guests will have the unique opportunity to bid on a tour of Jay Leno’s car collection in his “Big Dog Garage” complete with two tickets to attend the Tonight Show. Also up for bid will be a “ride and drive” in a Bugatti Veyron and a private back lot tour of Pixar Studios. An extraordinary evening is planned for all – definitely this year’s don’t miss ticket.
The Marin Sonoma Concours Tour d’Elegance • Sat. May 19, 2012 Begins in Larkspur • Ends at Keller Estate Winery • Petaluma
The Marin Sonoma Concours presents its fourth annual Tour d’Elegance, Saturday, May 19 – a 90-mile driving tour through the scenic valleys of Marin and Sonoma counties. A delight for participant and spectator alike, the Tour begins with a gathering in charming downtown Larkspur replete with coffee, pastries and ample time to view the collection of participating exceptional automobiles. This year we are pleased to announce our destination as the spectacular Keller Estate Winery where participants will enjoy a catered gourmet lunch, winery tour and wines from the Keller Estate collection. The highlight of the day will be a private docent-led tour of Arturo Keller’s world-renowned automobile collection focusing on French and Italian designers.
Tour details:
8 – 9 a.m: Vehicles and owners gather at Emporio Rulli in Larkspur.
9:30 a.m: Tour departs.
11:30 – noon: Tour arrives at Keller Estate Winery.
Noon – 3 p.m: Guests are treated to a catered lunch and tour of Arturo Keller’s World-renowned automobile collection.*
3 p.m: Tour departs for home.
Tour participation is $75 per person and participation is limited to pre-1979 vintage vehicles.
Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance • Sunday, May 20, 2012 Marin Civic Center • San Rafael
Where art meets function; beauty meets power; fantasy meets actuality – this is the timeless appeal of the automobile. Join us at the fourth annual Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance and revisit history as we celebrate singular vintage automobiles, the likes of which your path may never cross again. Stroll the green and admire the craftsmanship of the great French coachbuilders and Italian design studios. Be transported to the battlefield by our exhibit of military vehicles or to an historic London alley racing one of the vintage British motorcycles on display. From classic wooden boats to closed wheel race cars there is a vehicle to spark every imagination.
Take a moment from perusing the automobiles to visit our ‘Market on the Green’ where you can enjoy fine food and wine offerings from local purveyors, shop for singular accessories and fashions from international to local designers and admire the women and men modeling the season’s latest ensembles as they meander leisurely amongst the crowd.
The Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance – a history lesson in a day; a memory for a lifetime.
Event details:
Dawn: Field open to entrants.
9:30 a.m: Judging commences.
10 a.m.: Field open to spectators; VIP Pavilion open to VIP guests. 1 p.m: Antique aircraft flyover.
1:30 p.m: Class awards ceremony commences.
2:30 p.m: Concours Couture Awards and ‘Styled to a Tea’ recognition gathering.
3 p.m: Special awards ceremony commences.
Featured vehicles for 2012:
French coachbuilders through 1950
Ferraris through 1974
Italian designers 1946 – 1979
Vintage British motorcycles
Cord automobiles
Antique military vehicles
Closed wheel sports racing cars
Classic wooden boats
A full list of automobile classes is available online at www.marinsonomaconcours.org.
General Admission: $20, children under 16 years of age are free. VIP Admission: $100, includes VIP Pavilion access with French- inspired catered lunch, wine, VIP parking with private entrance.