Photography by Howard Koby.
On August 24, 2025, Lacy Park in San Marino once again set the stage for the San Marino Motor Classic, Southern California’s premier concours and one of the most important automotive gatherings outside of Pebble Beach. Beneath the late-summer sun, the 14th annual show brought together more than 400 classic, exotic, and historically significant vehicles — all in support of local charities.
Concours Highlights
This year’s Best of Show awards underscored the event’s depth and diversity. Robert Molino’s 1917 Packard Runabout claimed Best in Show Pre-War, while Mark Hyman’s 1952 Chrysler Ghia took Best in Show Post-War.
Other highlights included a 1936 Chip Foose Impression, which impressed with its hand-built steel bodywork, and rare post-war icons such as a 1955 Jaguar D-Type, 1954 Kaiser Darren, and a beautifully presented 1932 Ford Roadster.
The Porsche Class
For Porsche enthusiasts, San Marino is always a treat — and 2025 delivered a lineup as good as any.
The Porsche class stretched across multiple rows of Lacy Park, showcasing both meticulously preserved and tastefully modified cars. Early standouts included a trio of 356SCs, one Cabriolet earning First in Class.
Several examples of the Porsche 911S also featured prominently, including a 1965 911S First in Class winner, a 1968 911, and highly desirable long-hood models like the 1969 and 1971 911S.
Later-era highlights included a striking 1977 Porsche Turbo Carrera, an eye-catching 911 Dakar tribute in Rothmans livery, and a collection of air-cooled 911s spanning from early Targas to impact-bumper Turbos.
The vibrant mix of colors — Guards Red, Signal Orange, Minerva Blue, and rich metallic burgundies — reflected the brand’s evolution through the decades.
Ferraris and More
Although Porsche took center stage for many enthusiasts, competition was fierce from Italy.
A 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC claimed top honors in its class, while other vintage Ferraris — alongside British and American machinery — gave San Marino its trademark eclectic flavor. Japanese representation came from a pristine 1970 Datsun 240Z, which drew plenty of attention in the “People’s Choice” voting.
The Spirit of San Marino
More than just a static display, the San Marino Motor Classic carried an atmosphere of celebration and community. From Jay Leno arriving in his new Mustang GTD, to families and wedding parties pausing to take photos among the rows of gleaming chrome, the day was a reminder of how cars connect generations.
With its balance of elegance and accessibility, the 2025 San Marino Motor Classic was another reminder why this concours has become a fixture on the calendar. For Porsche fans, the variety and quality of Stuttgart machinery on display — from early 356s to iconic 911s and modern interpretations — made Lacy Park feel like a Porsche museum under the open sky.
Photo Gallery
