Palm Springs, an oasis in the desert not far from Los Angeles, will host a world-class concours d'elegance for the first time on the weekend of March 1st. One can only wonder why it took so long, considering that it's a favored home of the retired wealthy, some of whom have two or more great classics hidden in their multi-car garages. Add the desert ambience, the outstanding modernist architecture, the art galleries, and you have a superb setting for a concours that might some day rival Pebble Beach in quality of entrants. Among the cars to be shown is the very first Ferrari ever built: Chassis Number 01C hasn't made a public appearance in 20 years and this showing will be made even more special by that fact that the car has a unique history in the area; it recorded its first-ever western race win in Palm Springs back in 1951.

The featured marque will be Maserati, backed by participants from the Ferrari, Austin-Healey and Alfa Romeo clubs; the Classic Car Club of America; and the Maserati and Packard clubs. Organizer Paul Merrigan says "our event will focus attention on the unique history Palm Springs has in relation to these historically significant cars as well as the celebrities and drivers that made them famous." It kicks-off on Friday, February 29, with the Tour Classique; at 11 a.m., the Tour will begin at the O'Donnell Golf Course with a 30-mile drive of the first thirty qualifying automobiles in this inaugural affair. Spectators are invited to catch a glimpse of these rarely seen automobiles as they parade the streets of Palm Springs. My architect friend and classic cars enthusiast Mel Satok will be covering the event for Classical Drives. Watch for his photos in upcoming blogs.