Planning for the 2009 Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance is well underway, with the date set for 43rd annual event on Sunday, June 28th. In addition, Porsche and the Ford Mustang have been selected as the respective featured marques, and recurring special exhibits of “Supercars” and “The Gallery of the Greats” will be repeated.
The 2008 Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance, sponsored by the local Lions Club, raised a total of more than $100,000 for about two dozen peninsula charitable organizations at its late June 2008 edition.
Last year’s event had 418 vehicles on display including featured marques Alfa Romeo and Corvette, plus supporting roles of race cars, custom hot rods, ’50s fiberglass cars, and even vintage travel trailers. Preceding its Sunday event day, a Saturday motoring tour called “The Drive” and an elegant dinner that evening have become concours traditions.
Newly appointed concours Executive Director Hal Schuette, stated, “By any measure, this was our best event yet. Both the number of spectators and number of exhibited cars were at all-time highs.”
“We’re also giving special emphasis to “green” vehicles in our 2009 edition”, says Hal Schuette. “We try to stay on the cutting edge to auto technology, and energy-efficient cars are certainly poised to play an increased role in U.S. transportation.”
Porsche and Mustangs Featured
Porsche has been selected as the Palo Alto Concours’ European featured marque. The event will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first Porsche, the model 356, which was road certified in 1948. The early examples incorporated many Volkswagen components designed by Professor Ferdinand Porsche, whose son, Ferry, then headed Porsche.
The spring of 1964 marked the introduction of one of America’s most popular cars: the Ford Mustang. It’s a pillar of automotive lore, and the car that brought sporting dash and styling at a price almost anyone could afford. The younger generation embraced its stylish lines, and muscle car fans flocked to its sportier versions, such as the Shelby GTs. Clearly, the Mustang has earned its position as the concours’ U.S. featured marque.
“I urge all Bay Area car enthusiasts to mark their 2009 calendars for our Sunday, June 28 event”, says Executive Director Schuette. “As usual, we’ll supplement our ranks of car classes with imaginative special exhibits of common-thread vehicles. There’ll truly be something for everyone. Spectators will be impressed, but our Lions Club charities will be the real beneficiaries.”
For more information, visit www.paconcours.com.
[Source: Palo Alto Concours]
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