CONCOURS ON THE AVENUE – A REAL CAR SHOW

As an addition to the activities held in the Monterey peninsula during car week in August, and six years in the planning, the inaugural Concours On The Avenue was organised and hosted by Doug and Genie Freedman in Carmel-by-the-Sea on Ocean Avenue on Tuesday 14 August 2007.

Heralded as a car show which combines “Sophistication with a dash of fun”, for underserved marques and types from the period 1946 to 1971, the Concours On The Avenue was staged on the streets of the quintessentially pretty and historic town of Carmel. The event was attended by the many car enthusiasts who reside in Carmel, stopping by whilst out for a morning stroll or walking their dogs; and also for the visitors who travel to California at this time of year as an annual pilgrimage.

Perfect weather added to the ambience of the event, with conversations ranging from technical specifications to nostalgic trips down memory lane recalling road trips made cross-country before air travel became so prevalent.

The classes to be judged were many and varied and included American Family Favorites, British and European Luxury, Hot Rods and the Feature Class, 50 Years Ago in 1957. Within the British Sport cars – 60’s and 70’s class that I was asked to judge, I discovered that four of the entrants were original owners! Stories of their cars becoming “one of the family” were most interesting and refreshing in the current era of portfolio management and investment-grade purchases. 

Many entrants had driven their cars from their homes to the event to enjoy the week-long activities, as they had done for many years and were genuinely flattered and somewhat taken aback at being invited to Carmel to show “the old car”.

Following much deliberation amongst the judges and lively debate, Best in Show was awarded to a 1963 Corvette Grand Sport, one of five built to compete in Sports Car Racing during the 1960s.

The second Concours On The Avenue in Carmel-by-the Sea will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2008.


For further information, please view www.motorclubevents.com 


John Mayston-Taylor
29 August 2007