Under heavy clouds with light hearts, thousands gathered seaside April 21 for the 18th annual La Jolla Concours d’Elegance.
The iconic automobile showcase transformed Scripps Park into a luxury roadway, as car connoisseurs and rookies alike milled among more than 150 motors, marveling at the ornate, the restored, the unique and the grand.
Volunteer docents weaved through the crowds, explaining the particular details that distinguished each car, while judges – and their student counterparts – roamed the grass, casting well-trained eyes on everything from the direction of the bolts to the overall appearance.
Not every vehicle was land bound; the San Diego Air & Space Museum hosted the display of a 1941 Ryan PT-22 training aircraft used in World War II.
Suites, lounges and more dotted the perimeter to allow folks to enjoy sips from coffee and cocktails to champagne and small bites from local restaurants and more; Rebecca Jade entertained with live music.
Outside the Concours, Coast Boulevard and Girard Avenue south to Prospect Street were lined with special cars as well in a free taste of what awaited inside.
The weekend of events, which began April 19 with a VIP party and included the free “Porsches on Prospect” event April 20, culminated in the awards show at the end of the April 21 Concours, during which several awards were handed out.
The first place winners drove through the checkerboard “red carpet” to receive their trophies.
Proceeds from the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance benefit the La Jolla Historical Society.
