Community Corner

San Marino Motor Classic Speeds Into Lacy Park

The auto show features more than 250 antique, classic and modern cars in 34 classes.

The 3rd Annual San Marino Motor Classic was held Sunday in Lacy Park and featured more than 250 antique, classic and modern cars in 34 classes. 

Thousands of spectators attended the all-day event, including Tonight Show host and auto enthusiast Jay Leno. Many people raved to Patch about the show and all the different kinds of cars that were on display. 

"I think the show is fabulous," said Michael Fergoda of Eagle Rock. "It's got all kinds of gorgeous cars ranging from early 20s to the latest stuff, the Ferrari's and Bentley's and different things. It's a really nice show. It's beautiful. It's one of the best ones I've been to."  

Many who attend classic car shows don't just come to view the cars, but to talk and tell stories about them, and Patch heard quite a few good ones on Sunday. 

Paul Wuebben drove from West L.A. to Lacy Park for the event. As he was admiring a pristine 50s-era Cadillac DeSoto, he couldn't help but mention how much the DeSoto had impacted his life. 

"I have a special connection to this car," Wuebben said. "When I was a young kid I could not say the word 'DeSoto.' I could only say 'Dehoto,' so my mom put me into a speech class and it succeeded suffieciently that I went off to Harvard and then had a good life after that. So I remember this car very distinctly in that period."

Lou Miller, a 57-year resident of San Marino, gave an interesting answer when asked how many old cars he owns. 

"Well, I told my wife I had a dozen. I had more, but I didn't want her to know," Miller said. 

When asked how one hides something as big as an automobile, Miller explained he used to own his own jewelry plant, and it had many different garages that allowed him to hide some of the cars from his wife. 

"I used to store other people's cars and my cars, so it was easy, I'd tell her, 'Yeah, I'm just storing this for a friend,'" Miller said. 

A frequent topic of converstation among vistors was how clean and well-organized the event was compared to many other car shows. 

"The venue is spectacular. The quality of the cars is without peer, I think,"  Wuebben said. 

The event was a fundraiser for Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, Peterson Automotive Museum and the Rotary Club of San Marino. Last year, over $162,500 was raised. 


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