Beyond the cars, the annual La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, the beloved automobile showcase that returns to La Jolla Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21, has a lasting impact on the community that its chairman is proud to continue.
“Our tagline is world class cars, world class experience,” said Michael Dorvillier, who has driven the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance forward for about the last 12 of its 18 years.
The 2024 version of the Concours d’Elegance, presented by LPL Financial and IWC Schaffhausen, will continue the tradition of bringing together classic automobiles and car enthusiasts in Ellen Browning Scripps Park and along Prospect Street, all under the theme of “celebrating the Roaring 20s and the Glamorous 30s.”
More than 150 vehicles, including a vast range of makes and models from the 1920s and 1930s, will be on display, including a 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom III V-12; a 1932 Chrysler CP8; a 1930 Ruxton; a 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia SS; an Aston Martin DB5; among others.
La Jolla Concours history
The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance began as the “La Jolla Motor Car Classic” in January 2004, conceptualized by La Jolla business owners Michel Ullman, Terry Underwood and Yvette Marcum.
The event evolved from 50 hot rods in the park into an elevated spread that took on a philanthropic focus with the Monarch School being its first beneficiary, a tradition that expanded to support multiple local charities.
The La Jolla Historical Society stepped in to underwrite the event in 2009, aligning it with the society’s mission to preserve La Jolla’s history.
Dorvillier became involved in 2010 and in 2012, he rebranded the event as the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, transforming it into a three-day celebration of automotive history and La Jolla’s charisma.
“My kids were born and raised here and I started a business in La Jolla that I still have to this day,” Dorvillier said, adding he wanted to give back to the community in a way that enhanced La Jolla while also sharing his love for cars.
Today, 100 percent of the events net proceeds benefit the La Jolla Historical Society.
Funds raised by the Concours “directly support our mission of celebrating the history and culture of our region through interdisciplinary programs, exhibitions and research, and to our commitment to serve as a vital community resource and gathering place,” said La Jolla Historical Society Executive Director Lauren Lockhart.
This includes the society’s free exhibitions, educational programs, lectures and tours, along with maintenance of the society’s historic property and archive, which includes 80 years of actively collecting photographs, architectural drawings, records, artifacts and documents reflecting community heritage, Lockhart said.
“We’re able to offer these programs to the community in large part due to a number of events we present throughout the year, all of which leave a financial legacy for our organization,” she said, which includes the Concours, the Secret Garden Tour of La Jolla in May and the La Jolla Modernism Tour in October.
The Concours also gets “La Jolla back on the map,” Dorvillier said, with an influx of tourism into the community, from the more than 8,000 local hotel rooms sold last year to the weekend boon to restaurants and retail shops.
“It’s the biggest event in The Village every year, and the impact that it has is phenomenal,” he said.
More than motors
The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance isn’t just for car enthusiasts, Dorvillier said, as year after year, the event is “energizing folks that live and work and raise their kids in La Jolla” and beyond.
“You don’t have to gawk and stare at the cars and know the difference between the … cars that are there,” he said.
“It’s just the experience and the environment in The Village for those three days that make it just fun to be there. It’s fun to go out.”
And for those looking to learn more about the autos, six docents from the premier Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance come at their own expense to explain several of the important cars on the field.
“You really get to know the history and the significance of the cars,” Dorvillier said.
Also unique is a 45-minute flyover on Sunday of historic airplanes, he said.
Dorvillier is especially proud of the La Jolla Concours youth judging apprentice program in partnership with the wSan Diego Automotive Museum.
Ten 12- to 18-year-olds from underprivileged families in San Diego will arrive early Sunday morning to be paired with one of the Concours judges, wearing matching khaki-and-blazer outfits, having breakfast with the car experts and shadowing them as they evaluate the automobiles.
“This is important to me because this is the next generation of the hobby,” Dorvillier said, noting the judges are the leading authorities on cars in the world. “They want to continue this passion of judging,” passing on the knowledge to those eager to learn.
La Jolla Concours d’Elegance events
Friday, April 19
La Jolla Concours d’Elegance VIP Party, 6 to 10 p.m., Ellen Browning Scripps Park
The event’s theme will be “Expedition d’Elegance: The Road to Opulent Adventure” and will feature classic jazz, timeless cocktails, and gourmet delights from more than 20 of San Diego’s top restaurants. There will also be an exclusive display of rare vintage automotives, a live auction and more. $350
Saturday, April 20
La Jolla Concours Tour d‘Elegance, 9 to 11:45 a.m.,
Join the ‘Cars & Coffee’ Parade in Rancho Santa Fe on Paseo Delicias from 9:00 to 9:15 a.m. and
through La Jolla Shores from 11:30 to 11:45 a.m. to catch a glimpse of more than 100 modern and vintage
Automobiles. Free
Porsches on Prospect, 5 to 9 p.m., Prospect Street and Herschel Avenue
View 75 magnificent Porsches lining Prospect Street among The Village’s atmosphere, featuring live music, exclusive retail offers, gallery openings, restaurant specials, and more. Free
Sunday, April 21
The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ellen Browning Scripps Park
View more than 150 remarkable cars with access to Pit Stop bars and Champagne and Honey Garden bars, live music, exclusive vendors and more. $95
GO VIP
Enhance the above experiences with an upgraded premium or VIP ticket, which includes special access to upgraded entertainment, food and much more. Prices vary.
All prices increase Wednesday, April 3. Click here to purchase.
