by Wallace Wyss –
One event I go to every year is the Rodeo Drive Father’s Day Concours, which I would describe as more of a glitzy wanna-have-fun show than a serious concours like Pebble Beach. I like it because Rodeo Drive is four blocks of the fanciest stores in the US, or at least some of the most expensive clothing shops (I like the $15,000 leather jackets).
The shops are not strictly what’s stylish because sometimes the clothes for sale on Rodeo are too ostentatious for most of America but make sense in Palm Springs, Cannes or Palm Beach. I see cars there I have never seen anywhere else like a Stutz Blackhawk (like The King had) rare enough but the one they had on display was chopped and channeled. That is fine art!
1956 Jaguar Aerodyne Streamliner Coupe in 2012, photo by Mike Gulett
Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance
The The 29th annual Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance, powered by O’Gara Coach, will bring a full day of free family fun to Beverly Hills on Sunday, June 16. This year’s Father’s Day car show will feature 100 rare and iconic vehicles, great food and plenty of entertainment.
The Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance, which will take place between Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., is one of the area’s most beloved annual events. Here’s a glimpse at what you can expect to see on California’s most iconic street.
Show-stopping cars
This year’s event will host a special celebration of hypercars, supercars, race cars, classics and custom-built showstoppers. Provided by exclusive private collections, passionate car enthusiasts and even some of the world’s most recognized manufacturers, this has become one of the country’s preeminent luxury car shows.
Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance Chairman Bruce Meyer, Beverly Hills Mayor Lester Friedman, Rodeo Drive Committee President Kay Monica Rose and renowned car buff Jay Leno will present trophies to 12 award-winning entrants—from “Most Elegant” to “Best in Show” on the main stage starting at noon.
The Maserati Booth in 2016, photo by Mike Gulett
Interactive displays and debuts
In addition to the incredible cars, sponsors will add to the fun with interactive exhibits and event highlights. O’Gara Beverly Hills, which returns as the Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance Grand Sponsor, will feature a curated selection of automotive excellence with 13 models on display, including a first look at the new Aston Martin Vantage and McLaren Artura Spider.
The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix display will feature two 2024 F1 show cars alongside race-themed props for fan photo opportunities. All Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance attendees will have the opportunity to take advantage of a special on-site ticket promotion for the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX, taking place Nov. 21-23, 2024.
Great food
A great event isn’t complete without delicious food. In addition to the many restaurants and cafes throughout Beverly Hills, which can be easily referenced through the Beverly Hills Chamber’s online restaurant guide, attendees can also enjoy a variety of food trucks and carts, including Baby’s Badass Burgers, The Deli Doctor, Doc Lobsta, The Tropic Truck, Ginger’s Divine Ice Cream and King Kone Ice Cream.
The Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance in 2016, photo by Mike Gulett
For a good cause
Proceeds from the Concours benefit the Beverly Hills Police Officers Association and Beverly Hills Firefighters’ Association, which are non-profit charities raising funds for first responders and their families.
De Tomaso Mangusta in 2018, photo by Richard Bartholomew
My advice is if you don’t mean to shoot pictures of cars with ropes around them go at 7 am before they have the ropes up. And go south of Wilshire for a deli with normal prices not the super high prices on Rodeo. And you can get a couple hours free parking before the meters start.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
THE AUTHOR Wallace Wyss has been retained as a car marketer by several automakers when they had an extra special model. He is still a consultant, in between making fine art paintings of exotic cars.
Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance in 2023, photo by Wallace Wyss
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