Autoblog

Click for huge gallery of high-res pics from this 4th Annual Motor4Toys event

More than 3,200 cars overflowed the massive Countrywide Insurance parking lot in Westlake Village, CA for the 4th annual Motor4Toys charity toy drive this past Sunday, including nearly 200 Ferraris. That number was well short of the hoped-for 386+ Prancing Horses that would have triggered a Guinness world record parade attempt, but it was still an incredible sight.

Besides coming out to donate toys, the Southern California car clubs made this a typically great event by sharing their rides with the assembled crowd and even dipped into their pockets to bid more than $8,000 for a number of donated gifts in a combined online and live auction. Items included radar detectors, skid plates, cupholders, and even sporting event tickets and private catered dinners by television's Chef LaLa. And did we mention the toys?

Last year's record of 11,000 toys was easily surpassed although the final total won't be in until donated money and profits from the sale of commemorative T-shirts are tallied and used to purchase even more gifts in a couple of weeks. All told, about $25,000 was raised from donations and those sales and auction bids. Kudos to organizer Dustin Troyan, manager of the nearby Village Coffee Roaster, for another selfless effort and for making it another huge success. Typical of Dusty, he's quick to thank others rather than accepting any credit himself: "Please make sure you thank everyone who attends and supports it. They are the event!"

Follow the jump for more photos and the rest of the story.

Gallery of brunch pics available by clicking thumbs below

It seems the Holidays start earlier and earlier every year. Take, for instance, the Motor4Toys car meet and toy drive. This year's drive started extra early, with a special fundraiser brunch last weekend at the exclusive Villa Malibu rental living community in Malibu, California. The actual event and toy drive will take place December 2, 2007, but its organizer, Dustin Troyhan, wanted to kick things off a bit early in order to make a couple of big announcements. Villa Malibu graciously donated their time, facilities, food and drink to help support the cause, typical of the generous support the event garners.

One big announcement was already made at the conclusion of last year's event: In 2006, the Motor4Toys Foundation gathered more than 10,000 toys for needy children who might not otherwise get anything else for the season. The next announcement was that the goal for 2007 was a full 50% higher. Dusty and the gang are hoping to top 15,000 toys this year. The bulk of those will be collected at the massive car meet on Dec. 2, but many more will be purchased with the cash donations the group receives.

The last major announcement was that the event will coincide with an attempt at the Guinness record for the worlds' largest Ferrari parade, recently set at the Silverstone Circuit in England. That record was is currently 385 prancing horses. Dusty is confident he can count on at least 400. That is the kind of confidence he has in this community. To truly understand the size of this thing, you have to better understand the Foundation and the people involved.

Follow the jump for more details and click below for a gallery of pics from the brunch.

Some of you may recall the Motor4Toys automotive toy drive we told you about a couple of weeks ago. Dustin Troyan and the Motor4Toys Foundation put out a call to all of the car clubs and enthusiasts in Southern California to collect toys and money for the needy. And the response was overwhelming. Now in its 3rd year, the event continues to grow and this year exceeded its goal. More than 10,000 toys have been donated so far! This very special event collects toys for the California Highway Patrol Chips For Kids Program. There are many needed causes this time of year and several notable fundraiser events, but this one is special.

Big clickable gallery after the jump.

If you happen to be in the Los Angeles area (as is half the Autoblog team this week while covering the LA Auto Show), mark your calendar if you haven't already, for the annual Motor4Toys charity toy drive. The Motor4Toys event will be held this Sunday, December 3, so if you haven't signed up yet, please make sure you have an unwrapped new toy (or six) worth at least $10 to donate, and hustle over to Motor4Toys to register. You will make many people very happy and have a lasting memory of doing something that will be greatly appreciated.

Read on for more details about the event and, more importantly, the cars.