Car Season Ends, 1999

We entered our Impala in the "W" Class at this final concours of this season for us. This concours was held on the Oak lined grounds of our Junior College. The "W" Class is represented by cars that are "Driven," rather than "Trailored." We think this is only fair that there be a distinction between the two.The three chosen cars were given an envelope of "Congratulations," that your car had been picked for an award. We wondered, which award? We lined up three abreast, still wondering. As the other two cars had been called for their awards, we knew we were about to receive the award for "First" in our class. What a thrill! It more than "Made Our Day."

The California Wine Classic is a charity event held in San Francisco, at the Palace of Fine Arts. We have been fortunate enough to be included in this invitational event for the fourth year. About fourteen classic cars are on display on the grounds surrounding the Rotunda of the Palace of Fine Arts.Throughout the day fine wines and food of California Wine Country are served. There is also a live and silent auction. We bid, and came home with twenty pounds of chocolate! KGO Radio, and Ted Baxter, host this fine event.

The host hotel for the Stanford Concours d' Elegance was the Sheraton, located very near the campus of Stanford University. Our Impala was chosen to be on display in the circle area at the entrance of the Sheraton. The cars were displayed on the night of the judges dinner. It was quite an honor for all of those chosen, about ten cars were there. We were parked between a 1963 Corvette Stingray, and a 1948 two-toned blue Ford Convertible.

The morning before the Stanford Concours many of us met on the campus of university for "The Drive." We were given a map for the navigator to read, and watch for various locations along the way. I was the navigator, not an easy job, but the driving wasn't easy either! We drove over the mountains between Stanford and the Pacific Coast Highway. It was a gorgeous drive over winding, narrow roads. Our Impala is a big car, so was the 1958 Thunderbird that was also on the drive. All the other cars were Jaguars, and other small vehicles. We stopped in a Redwood Park for lunch, before heading back to the campus. We didn't win with the questions, but we didn't get lost either!

They call the area where the cars are displayed, "The Gallery of the Greats." We always enjoy going to the show at Stanford. It is a beautiful place to have a show. We didn't place at this show, but had a great time anyway.