Jets land on Rodeo Drive

Tail fins will be all over Rodeo Drive on Father's Day, June 16. The Rodeo Drive Committee has chosen “The Jet Age” as its theme for this year's street-closing concours, with tail-finned cars of the '50s and '60s lined up on the 300 block of the famous street. And to top it off, and perhaps because they made a nice contribution, parked on the 200 block will be a mock-up of the new Lear 85 business jet in all its carbon-fiber glory -- with the tail fin but minus the wings. Up in the 400 block of the famous retail row will be pre-1975 cars of all description.

“We are very excited to honor Learjet's golden anniversary,” said Concours chairman Bruce Meyer. “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.”

The show runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and is free to public. See rodeodrive-bh.com.

Also in Beverly Hills is the annual Greystone Mansion Concours. Held at the former Doheney Mansion ("There Will Be Blood"!), the sprawling house is more intriguing than the cars for some. You're allowed access to both, as well as sumptuous food and drink. But there will be cars, too -- this year there will be a centennial celebration of cars from 1914 and before. Other anniversaries to be celebrated will include the 60th anniversary of the Corvette and the 40th anniversary of the Porsche 911 RS. Entry price is a bit steeper than the free concours on Rodeo, though, at $120 in advance and $145 at the gate.

At the other end of the county is the Santa Ana Drag Strip and Main Street Malt Shop Reunion from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 13. Held in Santiago Park in Santa Ana, this is your chance to have a look at history and meet the guys who ran the rods back in the day. Old-timers will be there with their scrapbooks and maybe somebody'll bring a race car or two and you can just sidle up and talk to them about what it was like. Santa Ana Drag Strip is one of many that were once packed with racers and fans who have long since gone. Only the memories linger.

If that's not enough, check these other events coming up. If none of those interest you, you might be reading the wrong website.

By Mark Vaughn