Getting to Know the Rodeo Drive Concours D'Elegance

June 22, 2014
Story By
Scott Martin

Did you even know that the Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance existed? Most of us have heard of Pebble Beach and Amelia Island but outside of that, there are a lot of Concours events that occur all over the country which may be big in their areas, but are not known by the general public. So it may surprise you to know that Frommer’s Travel Guide names the annual Father’s Day Rodeo Drive event as “one of the 300 unmissable events in the world.”

I guess anyone “in the know” like Concours Chairman and Petersen Museum’s Bruce Meyer is very familiar with all the meaningful car events, and he stated that this year’s Concours was “the most curated show in the Rodeo Drive Concours’ 21-year history.”

As luck and planning would have it, this years theme, “One Hundred Years of Horse Power” combines nicely with, not only Beverly Hills’ Centennial, but also the ‘Honored Marque’, Maserati’s 100^th Anniversary Celebration.

Another little known fact that was revealed in a tribute to the Beverly Hills Speedway was that 275 acres of what became much of Beverly Hills South of Wilshire Boulevard was originally dedicated to a 1.25-mile racetrack between 1919 and 1924. The Beverly Wilshire Hotel opened in 1928 at the North East corner of the property.

Once you go to this gathering, you’re surprised to see that the City of Beverly Hills blocks off the entire stretch of Rodeo Drive from Little Santa Monica Boulevard to Wilshire Boulevard.

Entering the craziness of the show itself, you were thrown into the middle of Maserati’s 100^th Anniversary celebration featuring their special GT MC Centennial Edition Model. Right next to that was a raucous collection of 3 different McLaren models that were started at the same time in The Auto Gallery display area… it sounded so good, the on-lookers clapped and cheered!

Another secret that would have brought out a lot more people… California Chrome, the horse that was close to winning the Triple Crown this year, was there! We kept hearing on the loudspeaker that he was at a certain area or over by this or that car, but kept missing him. Imagine blowing a photo-op with the championship horse and the new 50^th Anniversary Edition Mustang… major bummer! He was, however, able to accept the “Best In Show” award through his owners, presented by Bruce Meyer and Beverly Hills Mayor, Lili Bosse.

As a consolation, I got to take pictures of kids climbing all over the ‘authentic replica’ of the Beverly Hillbillies Jalopy. Conversely, it was “hands-off” for the ultra-formal 1927 Rolls Royce Phantom I Town Car originally owned by Fred Astaire. Other nicely kept-up “Cars of the Stars” included vehicles from Coco Chanel, Howard Hughes, Tom Mix, Jean Harlow and Gloria Swanson.

The disappointment at missing my favorite horse continued to fade with each vehicle that was more amazing than the last. I think the most surprising thing that you have to find out for yourself about this, or any other Concours, is how close you can get to such rare and valuable cars. Although I would be proud to own any one of them, to tell you the truth, I would be scared to death to display my vehicle so close to so many people that could reach out and damage them so easily! Enjoy the gallery...

Getting to Know the Rodeo Drive Concours D'Elegance

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