A 1934 Packard Twelve owned by the William Lyon family took Best in Show at the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, which took place at Ellen Browning Scripps Park, La Jolla Cove, California on April 19-21, 2024.
More than 125 vehicles were on display in the 18th year of the event near San Diego, ranging from European exotics to homegrown muscle, and everything in between. It all kicked off on Friday, with a VIP party celebrating the age of automotive adventure, the 1920s and 1930s. The scenic concours lawn, overlooking the stunning Pacific Ocean, played host to soothing jazz music and gourmet cuisine from 20 of San Diego’s top restaurants. VIPs got a chance to enjoy exclusive display of rare vintage automobiles from the 1920s and 1930s, as well as take part in a live auction.
More than 125 vehicles were on display in the event's 18th year, ranging from European exotics to homegrown muscle, and everything in between
Saturday was all about the Tour d’Elegance (below), which started at a private museum and classic car collection before embarking on an Italian-style Mille Miglia parade route through the scenic roads of Rancho Santa Fe. It then stopped at another private car collection for a panel discussion. The drive continued to a catered lunch on the sand at Seaside, and a prize-giving ceremony. This was followed by Porsches on Prospect, a free event in the centre of La Jolla village that saw more than 75 Porsches take part.
Sunday was all about the concours, however, with Pre-War honours going to the 1941 Mercedes-Benz Model 770K owned by the William Lyon Family, which also won American Elegance of the 1920s and 1930s. Top Post-War car was Jonathan Segal’s 1956 Maserati A6G Zagato, which took home the European Sports Cars of the 1950 and 1960s (Closed) Award as well. People’s Choice went to Dennis McFarlane’s 1958 Corvette, while Doug DeMuro (below) took home the Chuck Spielman Award for his 1983 Lamborghini Countach. Full results are posted below, and more details can be found here.
La Jolla Concours d’Elegance 2024 results
Best in Show: 1934 Packard Twelve (William Lyon Family). Also won American Elegance of the 1920s and 1930s (Open) Award.
Special Awards
IWC Timeless Elegance Award: 1929 Duesenberg Model J (Bruce Meyer).
Pre-War Award: 1941 Mercedes-Benz Model 770K (William Lyon Family). Also won European Elegance of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s Award.
Post-War Award: 1956 Maserati A6G Zagato (Jonathan Segal). Also won European Sports Cars of the 1950 and 1960s (Closed) Award.
Spirit of Concourse Award: 1930 Ruxton (Nethercutt Collection).
Aubrey Taylor Award: 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT (Bradley and Rebecca Chase).
Phillip Wichard Award: 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III (Aaron Weiss).
Chuck Spielman Award: 1983 Lamborghini Countach (Doug DeMuro).
Chief Judge Award: 1953 Aston Martin DB2 (Jeff and Jamie Long).
Honorary Judge Award: 1937 Talbot-Lago Type 150-C-S ‘Teardrop’ (Petersen Automotive Museum).
People’s Choice Award: 1958 Corvette (Dennis McFarlane).
La Jolla Historical Society Award: 1930 Cadillac Series 452 V-16 (Singleton Collection).
Co-Chair Award: 1959 Ferrari 250 LWB California (Charles Wegner).
LPL Summit Award Best of Marque Award: 1929 DuPont Model G Speedster by Merrimac (Petersen Automotive Museum).
Hagerty California Mille 2024 Award: 1955 Fiat 8V Zagato (Marc Behaegel).
Mayor Award: 1929 Oldsmobile R-29 (Bob Minty).
Class winners
European Sports Cars of the 1950 and 1960s (Open) Award: 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL roadster (David Hargrave).
Mustangs – Pony to Power, the Evolution of Mustang Award: 1966 Ford Mustang GT (Kenneth Woolcott).
Corvettes – Glass on the Grass, the Evolution of Corvette Award: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette (Harmon Anderson II).
Italian Super Cars – Ferrari (1959-1990) Award: 1959 Ferrari 250 LWB TDF (Stephen Bruno).
Italian Super Cars – Lamborghini (1964-1990) Award: 1966 Lamborghini 400GT (Robert Ross).
Vintage Race Cars (Pre-1972) Award: 1955 Jaguar D-type (William Rooklidge).
Japanese (1967-1998) Award: 1991 Acura NSX (Ricardo da Rosa).
Porsche 911 Air-Cooled Variants Award: 1966 Porsche 911 (Henrik Jorst/CCI).
American Elegance of the 1920s and 1930s (Closed) Award: 1932 Packard 904 (Tom Neal).
British Royalty – Aston Martin (1950-1975) Award: 1964 Aston Martin DB5 (Joe Calabrese).
Motor Car Classic winners
Best of Show Award: 1968 Shelby GT350 (Bill Rogers).
Best in Show for the La Jolla Motor Car Classic Ferrari Class: Ferrari F355 Spider (James Schultz).
Best Front-Engine Ferrari: 2011 Ferrari California (David and Pam Pham).
Best Mid-Engine Ferrari: 1988 Ferrari Testarossa (Fernando Alcocer).
The La Jolla Motorcar Classic Mille Di Eccellenza with Hagerty: 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL roadster (Virginia Bamfore).
Best American Car in the Open Class: 1968 Pontiac Firebird convertible (Jim and Lisa Thomson).
Best Foreign Car in the Open Class: 1955 Porsche 356 (Bryan Poffenberger).
Best Custom Car in the Open Class: 1928 Ford Model A Truck with teardrop trailer (John Etchert).
Judges’ Award for the Open Class: 1960 Ford Thunderbird (Peggy and Russell Sternconert-Barbie).
