In June this year, I finally remembered to go to Palo Alto’s very own vintage car show, the Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance. Unlike bigger shows like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance or the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Palo Alto Concours was much more casual and low-key. Admission wasn’t hundreds of dollars, spectators weren’t expected to dress up and as far as I could tell attendees didn’t need an invitation to participate.

At Concours d’Elegance, vintage car owners can enter their cars into a judged competition for the chance to win trophies. At this one, there were many different classes with the main European marque for the year being Ferrari and the main American marque being Cadillac. Cars are judged by experts who make sure that every part is in original or better condition.

The variety of cars was pretty amazing. They ranged from vintage one of a kind estates to modern factory-made exotics.

Check out the intake feeding the supercharger on this Ford (drag?) Racing Mustang.

The engine bay on this candy apple red 1932 Ford is beautiful. I’m happy that tuners still seek this kind of clean aesthetic in the engine bays in modern cars. It’s proof that modern tuning culture can find its roots in hot rod culture.

I first approached this Rolls-Royce because I had never before seen a wood paneled one. After talking with the owner for 20 minutes, I left with a greater appreciation and understanding of cars from that era. Apparently this Rolls-Royce was the old fashioned equivalent of an SUV. It was used to haul around hunting gear. When I asked why this Rolls-Royce is a woody, the owner explained how cars were made in those days. Rolls-Royce would only build the chassis and drive train of the car. They would then deliver this chassis to a coach builder who would do the work of building the body to the customer’s specifications. The most fascinating thing that I found out is that the grill in the front of the car has louvers that can close to warm up the engine before driving in cold weather.

An art deco hood ornament on an Armstrong Siddeley:

This car is equipped for a picnic.

“Pardon me, would you have any Grey Poupon?”

The Bay Area Engine Modelers club brought some truly amazing scale engines that actually run. They sounded almost like their full scale counterparts, albeit a bit quieter and less guttural.

I love how this ambulance looks. It reminds me of the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters.

I’m not a big fan of Zagatos, but this Lancia Flaminia Sport caught my eye. It’s the kind of car that I would drive down the coast and park in front of a seaside cafe.

An Iso Grifo:

A jam packed engine bay:

Look at the protruding front of this Ferrari 250 GT Lusso.

Surprisingly, this Ferrari Daytona belonged to a pretty young guy.

The 365 is so cute, nothing like the menacing looking cars Ferrari sells today.

This De Tomaso Pantera has had its Ford small block V8 replace with a modern 5.4 liter V8. If it were made today, they would have found some way to cram a luggage compartment into the engine bay and cover the engine in some $2000 carbon fiber accent piece.

I love the engine cover on this Ferrari BB 512i. It exudes the technical yet elegant look that Ferrari’s from the late 70’s and 80’s had. It looks great in Rosso Corsa, but in my opinion, it looks even better in dark grey or black. I wouldn’t mind having one in my garage.

The following car is my favorite Ferrari, the Ferrari F40. It isn’t the rarest or the fastest, but it’s my favorite. The NACA ducts, lexan rear window, massive spoiler, and unassuming front immediately inform any passerby that this car is a serious car without screaming like a Lamborghini. It it isn’t weighed down with an air conditioning system or power seats and windows. It isn’t made to accommodate groceries or golf clubs. It is a car that is meant to go very, very fast. I think it looks like part 60’s fighter jet and Kaneda’s motorcycle from Akira. If I am ever in the position to buy an exotic car, the F40 is at the top of my list.

I love how that long duct starts at the front of the door and continues to the rear quarter.

Just imagine pulling up behind one of these and seeing straight into the engine. What a view. Also, don’t let anyone convince you that there is a better looking Ferrari with triple exhaust pipes. There isn’t one.

An original Shelby Cobra, probably the most copied car in history.

While walking back to my car, I came across this Ferrari 250 California. This multi-million dollar Ferrari that could very well be sitting on the grass was someone’s ride to the show. It’s proof that some people still get it. These cars are meant to be driven, not parked in climate controlled storage and moved around in a trailer.