Concours d'LeMons 2011

August brings the best car show ever that we attend -- the Concours d'LeMons.  Held during the same week as the prestigious Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach, and the Concorso Italiano (Ferrari, Lamborgini) show, this one is a gathering of "the oddball, mundane and truly awful" of the automotive world.

Last year, our two Trabants won in their class (Kommunist Kar).  Other classes including Rue Brittania (British cars), Needlessly Complex Italian, Der Self Satisfied Krauten Wagen (German), Soul Sucking Japanese Appliance, Swedish Meatballs, Rust Belt American Junk ( which always includes a complete category for American Motors, and  a string of Pintos) and Unmitigated Gaul (French cars),  There are always a handful that fit no category (as I will explain later) . In addition, the cars from the "24 Hours of LeMons" race (where no car could cost more than $500 to compete) are always showcased.

Last year the show was held at Toro Park in Salinas, but this year it was moved to a lakeside city park in Seaside, right across the street from the Seaside City Hall.  This charming little lakeside park was also the Canadian Geese migration path toilet for the entire state of California, as we quickly found out when we pulled in.

We brought two entries this year -- and got a two for one entry fee!  -- for our completely original and unrestored FMC motorhome, towing my 1961 Rambler American Convertible.  In order to be in the much-vaunted pre-show Cruise, we arrived on Friday afternoon just in time to unhitch the Rambler and get in line, cruising down through Monterey and out onto the 17 Mile Drive (having BSed  our way past the guards at the gate) with the rest of the Lemons.

LeMons along the shoreline of the Monterey Bay - 17 Mile Drive --- Carmel, California

Of course, the most fun of all on the cruise is chugging past the car snobs along the route that leads to the Golf Course and the show for the priceless jewels of the car world.  We always get lots of cheers and we aleays reply with as much frantic honking as we can muster.

Since we were NOT at Toro Park, where camping would have been quite nice with bathrooms and firepits, we had to hunker down in our motorhome in the parking lot of the Embassy Suites in Seaside between two car trailers, hoping nobody would roust us out in the middle of the night. Needless to say, between the glare of the streetlights and people coming and going from the nearby Chili's, we didn't get a whole lot of sleep.

The day of the show dawned overcast and chilly, but we got the motorhome into position and spread out our accouterments:  astroturf lawn (thank goodness for that -- protecting our feet from goose poop), picket fence, two planters of garish neon orange fake flowers, pink flamingos, our tiny barbecue, two plastic-web folding chairs, and a table covered with one of the last madras bedspreads to survive the 70's.  We gave the blow up palm trees a try, but one had a leak, and the other gradually wilted as the day went on.  On the table, we set our bribes for the judges, a bottle of limoncello and two "USA" baseball caps.

Everyone wanted to see the inside of the motorhome.  Yes. It is all completely original, down to the two-tone orange shag carpeting, orange formica countertops, gold striped velour upholstery, smoked veined mirrors in the sleeping area, and all of the fake wood paneling you could ever need .  Even some of the accessories, life the throw pillows, shower curtain,  and towels, are original.  Too retro cool!!!

Of course, we had to dress the part --Rod in his Concours d'Lemons T-shirt, and I in my orange tie dye.

The lovely RV (and my Rambler) were not the only LeMons at the event.  A large contingent of racers from the 24 Hours of LeMons race (no car could cost over $500) were also on display including :

                                         This lovely "Porche" -- we loaned them the flamingo lights

This Amazing Turbo Charged number 

                                                Close Up of Turbocharger

                             And several other awesome gruesome and hilarious anti-race cars

                                                          Love the Hood Ornament

  Of course, safety is always first, which is why there is an award for the most dangerous car.  I don't think
                                                       this one was the winner, though

                                                  Dose Eccccck-ees!

And of course there was my Rambler and several other classic junkers to admire and snicker over

                                           Semi-art car tinfoil covered van next to Pacer

All in all, it was a fun filled day with much to see and do.  To read more about the Concours d'LeMons, have a hysterical chuckle, and see all of the pictures, check out these links:

http://www.concoursdlemons.com/

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110821/CARNEWS/110829987


http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q3/2011_concours_d_lemons_crap_crap_and_more_crap-auto_shows       (This link shows our  motorhome with a hilarious description and all of the other "prize" winners)