I meet a lot of people who want to start a car show. They have great ideas, grand ideas, lots of caviar dreams, as Robin Leach would say, but it’s ever so rare that I meet anyone who says, “I want to launch a small, elegant event.” I all too often think I’m the only one who prefers small events to large ones.
Some of the best car shows I’ve been to have been small. Some aren’t even publicized, just merely a gathering of good car folks enjoying some time together. One of my favorites was always the Mission Classic held at the Carmel Mission during Monterey Car Week in August. Here was an event with maybe 100 cars from all over the world, with music gently filtered in from live musicians, my favorite being the harp. Not only was it fitting for an event at a Catholic Mission, but it didn’t overpower the venue. Various wineries were on hand to pour a glass, and food was upscale casual. The entire atmosphere was completely relaxed, entirely unhurried, and absolutely effortless. And while no one was there just “to be seen,” everyone loved meeting their friends there. And that’s what it’s about.
This brings us to the two events covered below, another couple of favorites, the Rodeo Drive Father’s Day Show and the Valletta Concours d’Elegance way out in Malta, an island south of Sicily. Both events are absolute gems and neither can be considered huge. In fact, Valletta is kept small deliberately to maintain an air of exclusivity and enjoyment. Building on that, one of our ace reporters in Beverly Hills overheard a Concours organizer say he felt the Rodeo event was better than Pebble Beach. That’s a huge statement, and I’m certain directly related to the simple size of the event. Whatever it is, indeed, I love them both and hope to attend Valletta next year. Maybe a Garage Tour is needed. Anyone interested?
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