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3rd Annual Los Angeles Concours

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:02:00 EST

Click above image for huge high-res gallery of pics from the LA Concours

The 3rd Annual Los Angeles Concours d'Elegance took place on Sunday, June 1, once again bringing classic cars and exotics together in the shadow of the Rose Bowl. Held annually in Pasadena, California to benefit the Assistance League of Southern California, this young concours is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the better ones on the circuit. Not surprising considering the fact that there are tons of championship quality machines in the area, both from private collections and top-notch museums like the Nethercutt and Petersen. Close to 300 cars were displayed in 40 categories ranging from horseless carriages to 1990 and newer Ferraris. Along with thousands of spectators, we were on hand with cameras clickin', capturing some of the day for all of you who couldn't be there.

Click through the gallery and you will see Porsche 356es, Ferraris, Aston Martins, Mercedes, Triumphs, MGs, vintage race cars, Rolls-Royces, muscle cars, Alfas, Lancias, Packards, Fords, Cadillacs, go-karts, Cobras and Jaguars. There was also an assortment of cars most of us have never heard of like the EMF, Amilcar, Autocar, Kissel, Margrette, and Tahis. Personal favorites included the 1953 Rita Hayworth Cadillac Ghia Coupe, 1925 Amilcar boattail, 1937 Talbot-Lago, Ferrari Lusso and Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato. Check out the gallery to pick out your favorites as well.

Gallery: 3rd Annual Los Angeles Concours

3rd Annual Los Angeles Concours originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's Rose Parade float a transformer

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Honda

click above image to view more high-res res pics of the Honda float

And you thought you were going to have to wait until next summer for the Transformers sequel. Well, thanks to Honda, you only have to wait until the Rose Bowl Parade to see shape-shifting-mechanical-flying things. Honda, long a sponsor of the parade, will be entering a float called "Passport to the Future." The trick: it turns from float into flying machine.

A huge, flower-covered Honda Ridgeline-type truck will sit atop a bed of multi-colored flowers. At the appointed time, the engine bay will turn into a cockpit, the sides will become wings, jet engines will emerge from the bed, and it will tuck its wheels and take flight in a cloud of steam. At the wheel will be a replica of Honda's personal robot, ASIMO.

Steve Morikawa, assistant VP of American Honda, said the company "is committed to creating products that give people mobility -- on both two and four wheels, and soon, in the skies. This year's float takes a fun and imaginative look at what the future of mobility might hold." If that means robots flying floral Ridgelines, it's going to be an exciting future indeed.

Thanks for the tip, Jonathan!

[Source: Street Import Online]

Gallery: Honda Rose Bowl float

Honda's Rose Parade float a transformer originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Dec 2007 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EC vs WC: 2007 Los Angeles Concours d'Elegance

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:06:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Aston Martin, Bentley, Cadillac, Ford, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Fiat

click above for a HUGE gallery of concours entrants

For the second year in a row, the Assistance League of Southern California (ALSC) presented a pretty exceptional Concours d'Elegance for the greater Los Angeles area right in the shadow of the historic Rose Bowl. While Greenwich needed two days to present all of its automotive gems, LA managed to pack its 300 or so cars onto a golf course adjacent to the Bowl and made it a one day affair. Last year's featured marque, Ferrari, was again well-represented with an alloy 275 GTB/4, a trio of 330 GTCs, Dinos, Daytonas, a Lusso, Boxer, 308, and a familiar 375 MM to name a few. Rolls and Bentley had a strong showing that included a jaw-dropping custom Hobbit-door Roller that is owned by the nearby Petersen Museum.

Sports and GT cars from Porsche, Jaguar, Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Morgan, Austin Healey, Jenson, Facel, Mercedes, Renault, Lancia, Fiat, Maserati, AC, and Lamborghini lined the fairways and greens. There were plenty of Woodies and other American and European classics from the '40s, '50s and '60s with their full figures and exaggerated fins. Even a few dream cars from Desoto and Hudson showed up. American muscle also had a decent turnout that included the mandatory Corvettes and Mustangs, as well as an AMX, Chevelle, and whole flock of Cobras among others. A stellar display of race cars really makes this show a standout. A fleet of go-karts, tons of midgets and sprint cars, an LSR motorcycle, Keke Rosberg's F1 car, a March GTP car, a Trans-Am Benz, and something from just about every other form of racing was on display.

But the concours circuit really thrives on the classic and vintage cars. Packards, Delahayes, Bentleys, Duesenbergs, Cadillacs, Lincolns, Model Ts, Auburns and the like were particularly well-represented with examples plucked from some local private collections and museums, many of which have appeared at Pebble Beach over the years. Although not quite on par (despite the golf course setting) with top-tier shows like Pebble, Meadowbrook and Amelia Island, for such a young show, the cars and people they have managed to attract are first-rate. The show's official site is available by clicking here.

Gallery: 2007 LA Concours d'Elegance

EC vs WC: 2007 Los Angeles Concours d'Elegance originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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