Pebble Beach. Amelia Island. Those are some of the names of America’s (if not the world’s) greatest concours d’elegance. Then there are smaller, regional shows that attract the same enthusiasts, yet their purposes are different. The San Marino Motor Classic (SMMC) is one of them. Tucked in a park just outside Pasadena, California, the SMMC’s purpose is to fund local charities “through one of the most incredible car shows in the world” while giving us enthusiasts something to fuel our automotive inclinations.
The 14th annual SMMC held on August 24, 2025, raised over $400,000 for such charities as Pasadena Humane, the San Gabriel Valley Cancer Support Community, the Give-Mentor-Love Foundation, the Shriners, and more. “The Motor Classic is a nonprofit organization that raises and donates funds to charities. A winning combination: a wonderful event that supports our community,” said Aaron Weiss, the event’s founder and organizer.
Here is the vehicle class list; a gallery of photos appears at the end of this article. (Right-click-save images to identify the cars.)
- A – Brass & Nickel Era Cars
- B-1 – Preservation Cars Through 1942
- B-2 – Preservation Cars, 1946-1975
- C-1 – CCCA – American Open (Full Classics Only)
- C-2 – CCCA – American Closed (Full Classics Only)
- C-3 – CCCA – European Open & Closed (Full Classics Only)
- C-5 – Packard Pre War Open
- C-6 – Packard Pre War Closed
- D – Pre WWII American Manufacturer (Non – CCCA), 1920-1942
- E-1 – Porsche 356 – San Marino Motor Classic Judging
- E-2 – Porsche – 911 thru 1977
- E-3 – Porsche – 914 to 1977
- F-1 – American Luxury Open, 1947-1975
- F-2 – American Luxury Closed, 1947-1975
- F-3 – Packard Post War Open
- F-4 – American Other, 1975-1995
- F-5 – European Luxury, 1946-1975
- H – Station Wagons – 1946-1973. No Woodies. Vinyl Wood Acceptable.
- I – American Postwar Orphan Marques
- J – Japanese Cars, 1946-1984
- K – Hot Rods – 1928-1941. Original Steel Bodies Only.
- L-1 – Lamborghini
- M-1 – Mercedes Benz – 300 SL Gullwing and Roadsters Thru 1963
- M-2 – Mercedes-Benz – 190SL and Pagoda (230SL, 250SL, 280SL)
- M-3 – Mercedes Benz – 300 Touring Cars (Excluding 300SL), Post War thru 1967
- N-1 – American Big Block Muscle, 1962-1974
- N-3 – American Pony Cars up to 350ci, 1964-1974
- O-1 – Italian Sports Cars – Alfa Romeo, 1946 – 1978
- P – Police Cruisers
- Q – Corvette – Though 1996
- R-1 – Ferrari – Early Thru 1978
- R-2 – Super Cars (Exhibition Only)
- R-3 – Ferrari 308 from 1975, 50th Anniversary
- S-1 – Jaguars – XKE Thru 1967
- S-2 – Jaguars – XK 120, XK 140, XK 150
- U-1 – British Sports Cars, 1946 – 1978
- U-2 – Morgan
- V-1 – Volkswagens Thru 1979
- W-1 – Woodies Thru 1950
- X-1 – Car Corral
- Y-1 – BMW through 1989
Next year’s show will move up to June 14, 2026, pending city council approval. You can view even more images on the www.sanmarinoclassic.com website.
