Get Your Kicks on Route 66 and Concours d’Elegance Too

Fans of everything automotive should find heaven in Southern California this weekend with two of the year’s most significant car events.

The Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Thursday through Sunday, pays homage to the cars of the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s and to the road that so many of them traversed. Over on the coast Sunday, the Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance will feature almost 200 of the finest classic autos in the nation, with a special salute to racing and competition cars.

The Route 66 bash enters its 13th year with a worldwide reputation as a premier place to see real cars in action. Participants--limited to 2,448 vehicles, one for every mile of the “Mother Road” that once linked Southern California and Chicago--will cruise through downtown San Bernardino in a series of events viewed by 500,000 spectators. For information, call the San Bernardino Visitors and Convention Bureau, (909) 889-3980, or go online at www .route-66.org.

A less raucous car celebration will be held on the Palos Verdes peninsula with the 10th running of what now is called the Acura Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance. The event will be on the fairways of the Ocean Trails Golf Club and will feature everything from turn-of-the-century horseless carriages to Indy cars and racing motorcycles. Special events include a fashion show, children’s art activities, a designer’s display highlighting the design selected for the 2005 reintroduction of the Packard brand and an Acura-sponsored display of NSX sports cars.

Tickets are $30, with children younger than 16 admitted free. Advance-purchase tickets for $20 can be obtained at www.pvconcours .com. Information, (866) 522-7746.

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