La Jolla Concours d’Elegance Celebrates 20th Anniversary With ‘Icons of Speed’
The Southern California automotive event marks two decades with a three-day celebration featuring 16 classes of historically significant cars...
The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance returns April 24-26, 2026, celebrating its 20th anniversary with the theme, “Icons of Speed: Historically Significant Super Cars.” Powered by Events.com, the 2026 event will feature a carefully selected field of automobiles that represent pivotal moments in the evolution of speed, from groundbreaking race cars and legendary sports cars to performance icons that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on road and track, event officials stated in a press release.
The 2026 concours will feature 16 classes, showcasing marques and models revered for their racing pedigree, engineering excellence and lasting influence on automotive culture. Beyond the concours field, the three-day celebration includes exclusive ticketed events, complimentary showcases and opportunities for both seasoned collectors and first-time attendees to engage with automotive history in an approachable, welcoming setting, noted the release.
“The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance has earned its place on the serious collector calendar by being thoughtful about what it presents and how it presents it,” said G. Michael Dorvillier, honoree chair of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. “The cars on the field are exceptional, the setting is unmistakably La Jolla and the experience feels both refined and relaxed. It’s a concours that respects serious collectors while remaining welcoming, and that balance is what makes it truly special. I’m proud to serve as honoree chair and to support an event that continues to elevate automotive excellence in a uniquely Southern California way.”
2026 La Jolla Concours Classes: Pre-War Classics to Formula 1
Featured Concours Class
- Icons of Speed — Historically Significant Super Cars (1935-96): A curated collection of the machines that relentlessly pushed the boundaries of performance. From early land-speed record contenders like the Mormon Meteor to the groundbreaking McLaren F1, “Icons of Speed” is a tribute to the cars that defined what it means to be fast.
General Concours Classes
- Pre-War American (1925-39)
- Pre-War European (1925-39)
- Post-War American (1947-67)
- European Suit with American Heart (1950-69)
- Post War European (open and closed), 1949-73
- Production Built Turbocharged Cars (1962-96)
- The French Connection (1931-74)
- Rising Sun JDM (Japanese Icons, 1965-96)
- Mercedes-Benz SL (1954-72)
- VW Type 2 Bus — Windows to Adventure (1950-67)
- Porsche — Special Wishes (Sonderwunsch, 1955-96)
- American Muscle (1953-82)
- Prancing Horse — Ferrari (1962-84)
- Hyper Car (Exhibition, 1995-2025)
- Formula 1 (Exhibition, 1950-96)
La Jolla Motor Car Classic: Free Public Showcase April 26, 2026
Adjacent to the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, the La Jolla Motor Car Classic is a free celebration of automotive artistry, officials stated. Designed to welcome enthusiasts of all levels, this event features an array of classic, luxury and vintage automobiles, complementing the exclusivity of the main Concours exhibition.
