You’ll Go Wild for these Wheels!
Beautiful automobiles, beautiful scenery and beautiful people … all that and more will be center stage when car collectors from Florida to Northern California gather for this year’s Corona del Mar Coastline Car Classic Sept. 7, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Big Corona Del Mar State Beach. Sponsored by the CDM Chamber of Commerce, the 11th annual seaside celebration kicks off with a vintage aircraft flyover courtesy of Lyon Air Museum, followed by the opportunity to check out SoCal’s most prestigious and rarest classic cars and high-performance and luxury models from some of the finest collections.
“There is such an affluent car culture in Orange County and it just makes sense,” says Chamber President and CEO Linda Leonhard, who has worked with the show since the late 1980s. “It’s also a way to promote the local luxury and high-performance car dealerships of our great community.”
Spectators at this year’s judged event can expect to find an abundance of vintage and dealer-select autos presented in 13 classes. Sure to be popular are Al Capone’s notorious getaway car; the fully loaded Batmobile from the 1989 film; and the “Meyers Manx,” the first dune buggy ever built by Newport Beach resident and automotive designer Bruce F. Meyers.
New on the lineup this year is an Italian-themed festival to honor the show’s featured marques — Ferrari and Maserati — complete with live entertainment by the Allegato World Jazz Ensemble; a beer and wine garden; gourmet food and beverage vendors and food trucks from Cousins Main Lobster and TJ’s Woodfire Pizza; VIP tent catered by PT Culinary and Cucina Roma; and plenty more vendor presentations and offerings for the entire family. Maserati of Newport Beach also will be on hand to celebrate the car’s 100th anniversary with the debut of the all new Maserati Ghibli (starting at $66,900), while the dealership’s sister store, Ferrari of Newport Beach, will showcase its outstanding lineup of Formula One-inspired vehicles.
But that’s not all the car show has in store. Sharing the spotlight on center stage at this judged event with their expert commentary will be grand marshal/legendary automotive designer Pete Brock, probably best known for pioneering the iconic 1963 Corvette Stingray and World Championship Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe. Brock also will be joined by KABC automotive reporter Dave Kunz and KPFK radio host Art Gould.
It all ends with a ceremony recognizing the top cars with the “Mayor’s,” “Fire Chief,” “Police,” “Best of Paint” and “Best of Show” awards.
Tickets are $15 for adults and free for children ages 12 and younger ($100 for a VIP Hospitality Package), with proceeds going to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, an independent nonprofit group dedicated to funding pediatric cancer research nationwide. A free shuttle or $15 beach parking is available. For more information, call (949) 673-4050 or visit cdmchamber.com/events/carshow.
