Palo Alto, CA
January 5, 2010

    
Contact:  Bill Downey - (650) 424-1371

 

MARTIN SWIG NAMED HONORARY CHAIRMAN

OF THE PALO ALTO CONCOURS d'ELEGANCE AT STANFORD
Concours executive director, Hal Schuette, is pleased to announce the selection of Martin Swig as the Honorary Chair of the 2010 edition of the Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance. Mr. Swig spent 40 years as a multi-franchise new car dealer in San Francisco. An avid car collector, he began racing historic cars in the mid-'70s. Today he organizes various car tours, the best known of which is the annual California Mille in which drivers and co-drivers of 70 historic race cars are treated to 1000 miles of California's best drivers' roads over four days. Also, this year marks the 20th anniversary of his New Years Day "Anti-Football Run" which enables owners of 25+-year-old cars to escape the barrage of college bowl games in favor of a 100+ mile drive through scenic Bay Area back roads.

A long-time supporter of the Palo Alto Concours, he sponsors the "Forgotten Treasures" and "Mille Miglia" trophies awarded each year to esoteric vehicles. He also writes a monthly column for San Francisco's Nob Hill Gazette covering new cars and various aspects of the motoring hobby-life.

Martin's wife, Esta, races an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato. His son, David, is also an able racer and emerging motoring photojournalist. His younger son, Howard, races in the Monterey Historics and has also participated, along with brother David, in the "24 Hours of LeMons".

"It's great to be able to recognize Martin's contributions to our event in this way", says Hal Schuette. "He's one of California's true motoring enthusiasts, and has added to our success through his efforts."

This year's 44th annual Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance will be held on Sunday, June 27 on the Stanford University campus (Sand Hill Rd. at Pasteur Dr.) from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More than 400 vehicles plus a variety of special car displays will be exhibited. Featured marques for 2010 are Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac. Proceeds help support almost four dozen Peninsula-area charities. Adult advance tickets are $20.


Martin's credo: Don't look at them, drive them!



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