Palo Alto, CA
December 10, 2008

Contact:  Buzz Marston - Office: (408) 353-3500

PALO ALTO PLANS ANOTHER DAZZILING

CONCOURS d'ELEGANCE AT STANFORD

Sunday ~ June 28, 2009

When a highly popular event is also a substantial contributor to local charities, you've got the ultimate win-win for all concerned. And that's the status achieved by the Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance.

Now in its 43rd year, this annual car show, sponsored by the Palo Alto Host Lions Club, raised a total of more than $100,000 for about two dozen peninsula charitable organizations at its late June, 2008, edition. Some 418 vehicles were on display, including featured marques Alfa Romeo and Corvette, plus supporting roles for race cars, custom hot rods, '50s fiberglass cars, and even vintage travel trailers. Preceding its Sunday event day, a Saturday motoring tour called "The Drive" and an elegant dinner that evening have become vibrant Concours traditions.

Newly appointed Concours Executive Director, Hal Schuette, stated, "By any measure, this was our best event yet. Both the number of spectators and number of exhibited cars were at all-time highs."

Planning for the 2009 concours is well underway. First, the date has been set: Sunday, June 28, 2009. In addition, Porsche and the Ford Mustang have been selected as the featured marques. Special exhibits of "Supercars" and "The Gallery of the Greats" will be repeated.

"We're also giving special emphasis to 'green' vehicles in our 2009 edition", says Hal Schuette. "We try to stay on the cutting edge of auto technology, and energy-efficient cars are certainly poised to play an increased role in U.S. transportation."

PATRONS ENJOY FINE CARS AT THE CONCOURS.

Porsche and Mustangs Featured

Porsche has been selected as the Concours' European featured marque. Its styling, drivability and racing prowess have established Porsche among the top echelon of auto manufacturers worldwide. The event will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first Porsche, the model 356, which was road certified in 1948. The early examples incorporated many Volkswagen components designed by Professor Ferdinand Porsche, whose son, Ferry, then headed Porsche.

The spring of 1964 marked the introduction of one of America's most popular cars: the Ford Mustang. It's a pillar of automotive lore, and the car that brought sporting dash and styling at a price almost anyone could afford. The younger generation embraced its stylish lines, and muscle car fans flocked to its sportier versions, such as the Shelby GTs. Clearly, the Mustang has earned its position as the Concours' U.S. featured marque.

"I urge all Bay Area car enthusiasts to mark their 2009 calendars for our Sunday, June 28 event", says executive director, Schuette. "As usual, we'll supplement our ranks of car classes with imaginative special exhibits of common-thread vehicles. There'll truly be something for everyone. Spectators will be impressed, but our Lions Club charities will be the real beneficiaries."

HUNDREDS OF CLASSIC AND COLLECTOR CARS ON DISPLAY AT THE
CONCOURS' STANFORD UNIVERSITY VENUE.