17th Annual Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance

The Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance returned to its picturesque setting at Trump National Golf Club this Sunday and we're glad to say we once again made it out there for the event. Thankfully the recent Southern California wildfires missed this area of Palos Verdes, so the 17th installment of this annual concours went off without a hitch. Well, it was cloudy all morning, but that hardly dampened everyone's spirits. This classic car gathering is one of our favorites not only for the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the well manicured golf course setting, but because of the quality of cars on hand. It's like a scaled down Pebble Beach, with several of that show's alumni in attendance.

This year's featured marque was Maserati, but all of the Italian brands were extremely well represented. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Iso, Bizzarrini, De Tomaso and Lancia all had strong fields, as did Italian motorcycles, which were a new class this year. There were even a few Cisitalias, Fiats, Oscas and Siatas on display. On the non-Italian side of things, there were customs, horseless carriages, brass era cars, British luxury cars, American luxury cars and a lot of other stunning vehicles.

Personal highlights included the Italian race cars - Maserati Birdcage, Monopostos and 200 SIs, Iso Griffo A3/C, and the legendary Lancia Stratos (a genuine HF team car done up in Alitalia colors). The Moto Guzzi Lodola and Vespa GS160 stood out in the bike field, but it was really nice to see all of the Maserati, Ferrari (not related to Enzo), Moto Guzzi, Ducati and Benelli cycles as well.

Other 4-wheeled stunners included the Pinin Farina Series I Cab, ATS 2500, Lancia Flaminia Zagato, Cisitalia Nuvolari, Ital Design Manta, Alfa 1900 CSS, Luigi Chinetti's old Lamborghini Silhouette, '50 Merc, '54 Chrysler and Plymouth Ghias, Rolls Woodie, Vauxhall, Delahaye and Lagonda sports cars, Franklin, Wills and Panhard pre-war cars, and Steve Tillack's display of everything from a barn find and bare bodies to a glorious Ferrari formula car.