"The Rich Are Not Like You and Me" goes the saying. This became painfully obvious when reading the entry information for the LeMay Museum's Grand Tour 2008, a road trip from Paris to Rome that will help bring the world's foremost automotive museum one step closer to reality. The event is limited to just 20 cars and - are you ready for this? - the entry fee is a staggering US$27,500 per team. Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised at such a sum, considering the $1,000,000 fine just levied on the McLaren F1 team, but the average car collector, struggling to raise $1,500 to cover event expenses closer to home, can only shake their head in amazement. The route includes some of Europe's greatest driving roads and scenery, while exceptional hotels and gourmet dining, along with unique cultural and shopping experiences, are part of the menu. Each day offers approximately 250 miles and about five hours of driving. And $10,000 of the fee goes to a good cause, helping the LeMay Museum achieve its goal. The Museum folk recently had a display at Vancouver's Steamworks Concours, seeking donations, where they included two of their classics, one of which can be seen above. Another old saying I like goes, "I've been rich and I've been poor and believe me, rich is better." Right on, brother.

[Photo: Philip Powell]