The 2009 California Mille begins tomorrow, and today was the traditional display of participating cars in front of San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel. This year’s route begins by proceeding southwards towards Mount Hamilton, and on to Carmel, Cambria, then back up to Sacramento and eventually Sonoma county. There was a wide variety of interesting cars on hand, including the participating cars, and several Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance vehicles as well.
Most of the cars were postwar cars; however, there was a handful of prewar cars including this pair of BMW 328’s, and a Jaguar SS100. The 328’s will always be associated with the Mille Miglia, and are delightful and surprisingly modern cars to drive.
The postwar entries included several Mercedes 300SL’s, Porsche 356’s, in addition to Jaguar XK’s, at least half a dozen Alfa Romeo Giuliettas/Giulias, and several more unusual cars.
This Lancia Lambda was a very neat car as well, and in typical Lancia fashion, is a highly innovative car, with one of the first instances of a unit monocoque body instead of body on frame construction. The cars also employ independent front suspension and narrow angle V4’s, all in 1922!
Widely regarded to be one of Ferrari’s most elegant cars, this 250PF Cabriolet looked splendid and will make a stylish participant.
This (Toyota) Toyopet Crown/Super was certainly an unconventional entry but looked great with its Australian Trial livery and Mobilgas pegasus stickers. The Volkswagen Beetle next to it was complete with microphone, a cute reference to the recent VW television ads featuring an original Beetle that speaks to the viewers with a German accent through a similar microphone.
There was also a very rare Talbot-Lago T-26 Grand Sport, one of just 15 built. The cars are powered by a detuned version of their 4.5 liter twin cam Grand Prix engines, and are some of the last great French cars produced.
This Allard K3 was another rare car (one of 62 built) and this particular example looked great in its slightly shocking color combination. The interior features strange 3 across seating and this particular example is powered by a contemporary Cadillac V8. Next to it is a Lampredi engined Ferrari Mille Miglia, presumably a 340 or 375.
There were also three Lancia Aurelia B24s, a TME favorite since it features on our banner. These two cabriolets both looked great, the left car in typically nice restored condition, and the right one with a pronounced and very charming patina. Some brave soul also will be doing the event in a Maserati 200SI!
This Siata 208S was another TME favorite and was finished in a superb dark blue on tan color combination. These cars are a touch fragile but are wonderfully engineered (with independent suspension all round) and beautiful cars powered by Fiat’s all alloy short stroke 8V (otto vu) engine. This is another exceptionally rare car, with just 37 examples built.
There was also this Lancia Aurelia B24s Spider America featuring unusual faired in fog lamps and desirable wire wheels.
The weather forecast looks sunny and mild for this week, which is great news for the cars and the participants. It will undoubtedly be a great time!