The traditions that have been established through the recognition and public display of automotive art have evolved and been refined over many years in such places as Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, Meadowbrook and Newport. These were places where the rarest and most significant automobiles were gathered and celebrated, places where the common man was able to mingle with the uncommon machines that represented a time in the distant past when craftsmanship, styling and innovation weren’t compromised just for the sake of consumerism and corporate profit.

There was a time when most of these automobiles were secreted away like pieces of delicate art, never able to set foot upon the roads that originally gave them a reason for being in the first place. Insiders were aware of their existence and some made their way to museums, posing as elegant dinosaurs waiting for a chance to add just one more mile to their odometers. It was unfortunate that most never felt the warmth of the sun, the touch of a light breeze or the coolness of the morning mist ever again.

Travel by car was once considered an elegant and adventuresome experience as reflected in the amenities available only to those who had the means to indulge their passion for the open road. Over time, individuality in automotive design and function gave way to the current homogenized/pasteurized utilitarian sameness that characterizes most of the cars we see today. It is only through the efforts of those who strive to perpetuate the excitement of a truly significant period of automotive history that future generations will come to appreciate the car as more than just a means or a device to get them from one place to another.

The first edition of the Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance (www.marinsonomaconcours.org), held on May 17, 2009, at the Marin Civic Center Fairgrounds, carried on the proud tradition of the most venerable and traditional time honored events by offering a wide selection of rare, unusual and classic automobiles, artfully arranged in a beautiful park-like setting just north of San Francisco, the proceeds of which benefitted Hospice by the Bay (www.hospicebythebay.org).

Initial events of this sort and magnitude generally experience growing pains due to organizational difficulties that eventually get ironed out over time. This wasn’t the case with the 2009 edition of the Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance due to the efforts of Concours Chairman, Mr. Charles Goodman and Production Manager, Mr. Steve Bajor, two individuals who with the assistance of others on their committee, exercised exceptional attention to detail and well planned spectator amenities which turned a blistering hot day into a pleasant experience for the participants and the considerable crowds who attended this event.

Plans are currently underway for next year’s event scheduled for May 16, 2010, at the Marin Civic Center located in San Rafael, California. Mark this date on your calendar and plan to be impressed.

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