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Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance 2013



Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance 2013 Photos and Stories.

"The Jet Age"
Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance
Beverly Hills, California
June 16, 2013




Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance 2013


Learjet 85 Learjet 85; Image Credit: Flexjet

The Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance has themed this year's 2013 car event as
"The Jet Age".

In the late 50' and early 60's everyone was talking about the future and how different our lives were soon going to be. We were somewhat new to television and there were shows called the "Jetsons' and "My Favorite Martian". There was speculation that we would be driving around in 'Hover Cars' and cars that we could drive out of the garage and fly off to work. Great things were waiting for us just around the corner.

It is now 2013, some 50+ year later and the focus is getting cars, still with all 4 wheels firmly planted on the road surface, to functionally gain forward momentum from an onboard battery. And the battery being charged by plugging an extension cord into the electric outlet on our kitchen wall, just like some of the early 1950's electric toy model cars we kids played with back then, only now the cars are a bit larger in size, although maybe not faster.

Some cars today are rebelliously radical in design Take the over-top Lamborghini's with their wings and aggressive fighter plane angles. But they are readily recognized as a ground-hugging vehicle, although now capable of reaching lift-off-speeds. Jet planes? Well their function is clearly recognized as flying machines. No possible misunderstanding of either car or planes primary task.

But back the late 1950' and early 1960's. This was a different time.

Cars wanted to fly!

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 Ghia Gilda 1955

The 1955 Ghia Gilda is scheduled to be on site.

Flexjet and Bombardier, in conjunction with the City of Beverly Hills, to honor Learjet's 50th golden anniversary and will present the first-ever jet to be parked on California's famous Rodeo Drive on Sunday, June 16th (Father's Day) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

"The Jet Age marked a time when carmakers from post World War II through the arrival of the super sonic Concorde in the '70s redesigned their automobiles to highlight the most extreme designs reflecting streamlining and speed! We will display a thrilling exhibit reflecting these often outrageous designs" says Concours Chairman Bruce Meyer.

The annual Father's Day Car Show features vintage and racing cars and motorcycles lining Rodeo Drive along with this years feature: A Bombardier Aerospace and Flexjet Learjet 85 aircraft full-scale mock-up designed from a clean sheet. "The all-new Learjet 85 aircraft is the first part 25-business jet built using composites in both the wings and the fuselage and features the latest advances in aerodynamics, structures and efficiency." [Just like today's Ferrari F1 car (ed.)].

"Fifty years ago, the first Learjet aircraft took flight thanks to the innovative and adventurous spirit of Bill Lear, who invented the business jet category," said Deanna White, President, Flexjet. Bombardier, Flexjet and Learjet as the featured brand at this year's Concours, will provide a full-size aircraft cabin mock-up at the event.

This world-class car show is free and open to the public.


Some additional 'Jet Age' car photos from the pages of AllCarCentral.com

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1959 Alfa Romeo, B.A.T. 7

1959 Alfa Romeo, B.A.T. 7
Franklin Cunningham Photo

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1953 Alfa Romeo, B.A.T. 5

1953 Alfa Romeo, B.A.T. 5

Descriptive Poster For This Car - JPG file


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Alfa Romeo BAT-9 1954

1954 Alfa Romeo BAT-9

Descriptive Poster For This Car - JPG file

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1959 Cadillac Cyclone XP-74

1959 Cadillac Cyclone XP-74
Harley Earl's last dream car

Descriptive Poster For This Car - JPG file

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1954 Firebird I

1954 Firebird I

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Firebird II Titanium 1956

Firebird II Titanium 1956

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Firebird III 1958

Firebird III 1958

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1955 Ghia Gilda

1955 Ghia Gilda
In the early 1950's Chrysler wanted to move away from its reputation of building somewhat boxy cars, and hired the Italian firm of Ghia to build some styling specials. With the strong influence of Chrysler designer Virgil Exner, the Ghia designers beautifully executed the style and mood of the 1950's. One of the famous Dream Cars that it produced was this experimental wedge-shaped coupe which first appeared at the 1955 Turin Motor Show. This vehicle undoubtedly became one of the most important designs in the evolution of American cars and featured the famous tapered fins of the period. While originally a concept car without an engine, Gilda has since been fitted with a period-correct single stage gas turbine power plant.

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Firebird III 1958

Learjet 85; Image Credit: Flexjet






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