May 16, 2010 - The second annual Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance has become, in just two years, more than just a automotive venue for rolling art forms … it’s become a “happening”. The spectators in attendance appeared to be more than double the number present in 2009 and the variety of automobiles on display were expanded to take into account the full spectrum of automotive tastes. Where else could you find a Porsche 917, a Good Humor Ice Cream truck, a 1948 DeSoto taxi, a Chris Craft speedboat and a V-16 Cadillac all at the same event?

At center stage on the main display ground, amidst an endless array of milestone automobiles, were the dry lake speedsters and the early hot rods of Andy Brizio and Ed Iskenderian, two men considered to be pioneers in the world of hot rodding and custom car design. Some of the vehicles had been transported from the NHRA museum in Southern California.

The Concours Committee, headed by Chairman Charles Goodman, had done an excellent job of planning for this event, taking into account not just the needs of the individuals showing their vehicles but also the needs of the spectators, many of whom brought their families to enjoy the picnic-like atmosphere, the sunny skies and the moderate temperatures.

Not just content to display vehicles on the water and on the land, the Concours offered several fly-bys of a squadron of five Nanchang CJ-6A airplanes to set the mood early Sunday afternoon. If an individual had a favorite car they wanted to see or steep themselves in automotive lore or information about a particular model or marque, they were sure to go away with more than they came in with as each owner was more than willing to share their knowledge regarding the restoration and the specifications of the vehicle they had on display.

On a personal note, this writer has been attending indoor and outdoor automotive events for over 50 years and it’s not an exaggeration to say that the 2010 edition of the Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance rivals the best of the best. Rarely has there been a venue offering the breadth, scope and variety of landmark vehicles and boats appearing at this great event to benefit Hospice by the Bay. There’s just one problem. What is the Committee going to do to improve upon what was accomplished in 2010? The only way to answer that question is to be there in 2011.