Motor Classic Rides Back Into the Spotlight

August 30, 2021

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*^{Photos by Mitch Lehman}*^{– Though sidelined last year by the pandemic, the event returned with a fury and displayed the most cars in its history.}

After a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the San Marino Motor Classic came roaring back last weekend, luring what appeared to be thousands of visitors to the automobile exhibition at Lacy Park.
The 10th edition of the fast-growing event featuring collector cars in mint condition was buoyed by excellent weather and the fact that a year’s absence may have, indeed, made the heart grow fonder.

^{Photo courtesy San Marino Motor Classic –} ^{Aaron and Valerie Weiss were able to take a brief lunch break at Sunday’s San Marino Motor Classic, the 10th renewal of the community event and fundraiser.}

“This was certainly the largest show we have had,” said Aaron Weiss, the show’s co-founder. “We had 440 cars, which was above the number of cars we had at the 2019 show. We are still waiting for some numbers, but I can tell you that it was a success.” The event raises funds for charities from sources including sponsorships, ticket sales and entry fees.
Weiss said the addition of the Automotive Fine Arts Society’s exhibit and sale of paintings, statues and other artworks lent “pizazz and sophistication” to the event, as did the presence of some “amazing cars” that came from the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance held the week before. A gala held on Saturday night also set a record for attendance.
“Everything went off without a hitch and everyone went away happy,” said Weiss.
This year’s event hosted the Ferrari Club of America’s Concorso Ferrari, the Classic Car Club of America’s Southern California Region Grand Classic, Packards International Grand Salon and 30 additional classes. Entrants competed in 30 classes, including Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Jaguar, Porsche, Corvette and Mercedes-Benz, to name a few.
The San Marino Motor Classic is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that over the previous nine years awarded more than $2.3 million to its local charitable beneficiaries.
“This was a great thing for car enthusiasts and a great thing for the people of San Marino,” Weiss added. “It was seamless, flawless. We were very fortunate that the weather was nice and cool and that COVID didn’t affect us. It will take a while to reconcile the numbers, but it was a great event with a great crowd and great volunteers. Each year we move up a step or two.”