We used to live in LA and always wanted to check it out. This year was the perfect year to go with our boys, and we witnessed some major milestones.
- First ever jet on Rodeo Drive!
- Rodeo Drive Concours celebrates 20 years! (interesting facts below)
- Learjet celebrates their 50th Anniversary (it's also the centerpiece of this year's concours)
- Porsche 911 also celebrates their 50th anniversary! (interesting facts below)
SOME HISTORY
In February 1993, Ferrari 348 Spider launched world-wide on Rodeo Drive with a display of hundreds of red Ferraris lining the famous Rodeo Drive. They had no idea that it would become the largest annual public event in Beverly Hills for a Father's Day event.
This year's theme was "The Jet Age". Previous themes were: "Haute Wheels", "The Art of Italian Motoring" and "The British are Coming!" (last year's).
“It will be the first time we have a full-size aircraft cabin mock-up parked on Rodeo Drive, so the 2013 Concours d’Elegance will be historic for Beverly Hills and a must-see for residents and visitors alike,” said Jim Jahant, President of the Rodeo Drive Committee.
LEARJET'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY
"The Jet Age marked a time when car makers from post WWII through the arrival of the super sonic Concorde in the '70's redesigned their automobiles to highlight the most extreme designs reflecting streamlining and speed! We will display a thrilling exhibit reflecting these often outrageous designs," says Concours Chairman Bruce Meyer.
The Learjet 85 is the centerpiece of this year's Concours and is designed by Bombardier Aerospace, the world’s largest business aviation manufacturer, and is available for fractional jet ownership exclusively through Flexjet.
The 911 was premiered at the 1962 International Auto Show in Frankfurt as the Porsche 901 but a French car company claimed copyright over the use of all model numbers with zero in the middle. Porsche therefore renamed the 901 the "911".
This rare 901 was on loan to Beverly Hills Porsche for the event by the Petersen Automotive Museum (located at 606 Wilshire Blvd and Fairfax in Los Angeles).
1989 BATMOBILE from the collections of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
VINTAGE CARS, RACING CARS, AND MOTORCYCLES
You can see more in my photo gallery.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
- The 300 block of Rodeo Drive featured autos inspired by the Jet Age, with smooth aero-dynamic body shapes from the 1950s and 60s, representing the optimism of the future.
- On the 400 block of Rodeo Drive, “The Best of the Best” with pre-1975 classic cars of any brand considered by the show’s curators.
- Special tributes to other marques celebrating special anniversaries.
Ferrari was still there on the opposite end where we were at. Can you tell which cars we came to see?
This world-class event is every year on Father's Day on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. For more information about this event, please visit their event website at www.rodeodrive-bh.com.
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The Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance is produced by the Rodeo Drive Committee in association with the City of Beverly Hills. Presenting sponsors include Flexjet and Bombardier. Other sponsors are: Porsche Beverly Hills, Auto Gallery, Ferrari Beverly Hills, O'Gara Coach Company, Geary's Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills CVB, IWC Shaffhausen, Airstream, Auctions America, Mercedes-Benz Beverly Hills, Brooks Brothers, Beverly Wilshire, a Four Season's Hotel, Chivas, Kosta Boda, Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive, Lladro, Smartwater, and Fatburger.
Were you at the event? What was your favorite?
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