Set against the spectacular backdrop of Ellen Browning Scripps Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the 20th Annual La Jolla Concours d'Elegance returned April 24-26, 2026, celebrating two decades as one of Southern California's premier automotive gatherings. This year's theme, "Icons of Speed," highlighted historically significant performance automobiles that helped shape the evolution of automotive engineering, design, and motorsport. From pre-war masterpieces and legendary sports cars to modern supercars and hypercars, the concours once again delivered an impressive display of automotive excellence in one of the most picturesque settings on the West Coast.

Over the course of the three-day event, collectors, enthusiasts, and spectators gathered in La Jolla to enjoy a carefully curated field of concours automobiles representing a wide range of marques and eras. The weekend's festivities began with the Friday evening VIP reception, providing guests with an exclusive preview of many of the concours entries while enjoying fine cuisine, cocktails, and live entertainment. The event has become known not only for the quality of its automobiles, but also for its unique ability to blend automotive culture with the relaxed elegance and coastal charm that define La Jolla.

Saturday's Tour d'Elegance once again proved to be a favorite among participants and spectators alike, as dozens of historic automobiles traveled scenic routes through coastal San Diego County and Rancho Santa Fe. Later that evening, Porsches & Power on Prospect transformed the heart of La Jolla Village into a vibrant automotive showcase featuring an impressive collection of Porsches, exotic automobiles, and modern performance machinery. Combined with live entertainment, galleries, restaurants, and local businesses, the event created an energetic atmosphere that extended well beyond the concours field itself.

Among the vehicles displayed at this year's event was Classic Showcase's recently completed 1950 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster. Fresh from an extensive restoration, the rare Jaguar attracted considerable attention throughout the weekend and served as an excellent example of the craftsmanship and dedication that went into the project. Tom was once again on hand for the festivities, reconnecting with longtime friends, fellow collectors, restorers, judges, and enthusiasts from throughout the collector car community while enjoying one of Southern California's premier concours events.

Sunday's main concours featured more than 100 automobiles competing across numerous classes and specialty award categories. Among the many outstanding vehicles on display, the coveted Best in Show award was presented to the stunning 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster from the Lyon Collection. Widely regarded as one of the most elegant and desirable pre-war automobiles ever produced, the supercharged Mercedes represented the pinnacle of luxury, engineering, and craftsmanship during its era. Additional major award winners included the 1933 Marmon V16 Convertible Coupe, which earned Outstanding Pre-War honors, and the 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder, recipient of the Outstanding Post-War award.

As the La Jolla Concours d'Elegance celebrated its 20th anniversary, the event once again demonstrated why it remains one of the most respected concours gatherings in the country. Combining world-class automobiles, breathtaking oceanfront scenery, and a welcoming atmosphere for collectors and enthusiasts alike, the weekend offered a memorable celebration of automotive history and craftsmanship. With strong attendance, exceptional vehicles, and growing enthusiasm from both longtime collectors and younger enthusiasts, the future continues to look bright for this Southern California automotive tradition.

Best in Show & Specialty Winners 
Best in Show was awarded to the stunning 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster from the renowned Lyon Collection. Widely regarded as one of the finest luxury automobiles of the pre-war era, the 540K combined advanced engineering with elegant coachwork handcrafted by Mercedes-Benz's Sindelfingen bodyworks. With fewer than 30 examples produced, the Special Roadster remains one of the most desirable and collectible automobiles ever built, making it a fitting recipient of the concours' highest honor.

Key specialty winners included:
     Most Outstanding Pre‑War: 1933 Marmon V16 Convertible Coupe
     Most Outstanding Post‑War: 1955 Maserati A6GCS/53 Spyder
     ​Automotive Legacy in Motion Award: 1967 Ford GT40 Mk III
      Best of Marque Award: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

EVENT HISTORY

It began as the dream of a few La Jolla business owners who were looking for a way to showcase the beauty and charm of downtown La Jolla during the winter months. In 2003, Michel Ullman, Terry Underwood and Yvette Marcum met at Georges at The Cove and drew up plans to host a car show on the lawn at Ellen Browning Scripps Park. The three were part of the local merchants’ association, at the time called Promote La Jolla. They brought their idea to the association’s board; in resp​onse, a group of passionate members–including Tiffany Share, Deborah Marengo, Bob Meigs, Steve Edelstein, Bill Price and Greg Rizzi–joined forces with all-star event promoter Laurel McFarlane to form the La Jolla Motor Car Classic committee. 

The committee was successful in securing the support and financial backing necessary to bring their vision to life, and in January 2004, the inaugural La Jolla Motor Car Classic was held with humble but auspicious beginnings. The event attracted a diverse field of about 50 hot rods, antique automobiles and classic cars, all owned by local collectors and enthusiasts, but the committee saw the potential to bring the show to the next level by enlisting the support of the local car collector community. 

So in the spring of 2004, Edelstein reached out to two La Jolla car aficionados, Chuck Spielman and Neal Wichard, to help promote a show that would appeal to a concours-quality audience. Spielman and Wichard believed that the stunning and picturesque Scripps Park venue held the potential to rival Pebble Beach and attract a national audience of car collectors. 

The two friends reached out to their vast network of fellow collectors, including Alan Taylor, a well-respected local classic car restorer, to help recruit high-end classic automobiles; they also asked collector Cy Conrad to help Meigs establish the criteria for judging the show. In 2007, Spielman brought noted collector Dave Darwin on board, who urged the committee to turn the LJMCC into a weekend-long event, including fencing off Scripps Park and charging admission to the show. The first La Jolla Motor Classic Car Tour was born. 

That same year, the committee designated the Monarch School, a San Diego school whose mission is to educate children impacted by homelessness, as a charitable beneficiary of the event. In the years that would follow, the event would expand its charitable contributions to include several other local charities. 

The Promote La Jolla organization disbanded in 2009, and the La Jolla Historical Society, a nonprofit that seeks to preserve and celebrate La Jolla’s diverse past, assumed the underwriting of the event. Trip Bennett, then vice president of the Society, appreciated the living history that the event provided and saw great value in incorporating the LJMCC as part of the Society’s mission. Bennett assumed the role of LJMCC chairman, an office he held until 2011. With Bennett’s leadership, the La Jolla Historical Society helped create the foundation necessary for the LJMCC to continue to grow and fulfill its potential. 

In 2010, Spielman brought Mike Dorvillier into the fold to help the committee develop a stronger sponsor base and further secure the involvement of La Jolla’s merchants. Dorvillier stepped up to fill the role of chairman in 2011, and, along with event producer McFarlane, helped elevate the event to its current status as one of the world’s top collector car shows, according to Octane magazine. 

One of Dorvillier’s meaningful contributions to the event came in 2012, when he changed the name of the La Jolla Motor Car Classic to the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. Today, the Concours is filled with three days of world-class exhibitions and celebrations that inspire all who attend. In a nod to the show’s humble roots, the event also includes a free car show open to the public.