The 2010 Marin Sonoma Concours d’Elegance, Sunday, May 16, brings 200 classic and special interest cars to the Marin Civic Center. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a history buff or just appreciate fine design, this is a great event to attend. And this year there are two cars that hold a special place in Marin history.

Porsche is the featured marque, and iconic singer Janis Joplin’s 1965 Porsche will be on display. Originally oyster white, Janis had the car custom-painted with a psychedelic design that includes a tribute to Mt. Tam, a callout to the time she spent in Marin and living in Larkspur. The Porsche is on loan from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and you can read more about its story in the Marin IJ and view photos from its recent visit to the Grammy Museum.

A 1904 Oldsmobile is another car with Marin ties that will be on display. Used as a delivery vehicle for the Marin IJ, The Olds was the first commercial vehicle in Marin.

Of course there will be hundreds of cars on display along the Civic Center lagoon, so there’s something for everyone, including what aims to be a ‘classic’ car of the future, the Lexus LFA Supercar. (Base MSRP of $375,000, or a small condo here in Marin). There is currently only one in the US and it will be here on Sunday.

The Concours d’Elegance runs from 9 am to 4 pm and benefits Hospice By the Bay, an organization that Frank Howard Allen avidly supports.

For more information, visit: http://www.marinsonomaconcours.org/index.html

With all the classes (American Sports Cars, Import Cars, Vintage Race Cars, Historic Hot Rods, Woodies…) which types of cars are you most excited to see?

Posted by:  Noreen Smith