Driving The Sculpture: Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance

Automobiles are an expression of the individual who buys or drives them. We represent ourselves with our cars, just as we represent ourselves with the clothes we wear. The automobile has become an accessory to our lives–a functional accessory, but an accessory nonetheless. A car is an extension of one’s personal taste of one’s style and image. When people go to special events such as the Palo Alto Concurs d’Elegance to show off their cars, it’s all part of the same set. So cars are more than a conveyance to go from one place to another. They are a key part of our taste and its expression. If you love cars–their upholstery, their ornaments, the wooden steering wheel and their shapes–as objects of art, you can’t help but be intrigued or stimulated. 

Many of the cars presented here inspired me at the 2013 Palo Alto Concours. In some way the new car designs are not as appealing when compared to some of the great old cars from the twenties, thirties, fifties or sixties. However, each car in its own way makes a statement. Whether it’s a shiny new or vintage sports car or an old truck, automobiles represent an element of your total style. 

One of the criteria for beautiful cars or design in general is that they never look dated. Some of the cars at the PA Concours look and work as well today as they did at the time they were made. They don’t look like old, outdated cars. They look like something that makes you think, Wow, where can I get that emotive feel now? The truly great designs are designed for longevity. Good design is about staying power as well as about being current. 

Ferraris and Parisian music of the twenties were some of the highlights from Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance. A friendship with Randy Steyer, president of Ferrari pacific region was enough to have me join the Ferrari Club USA.