It's that time when media personalities go to great lengths (means: "lacking better ideas") to produce Top 10 lists. As an automobile journalist I've been tempted to add my own "10 Best New Cars" or "10 Best Cars Tested in the Past Year," etc., but always managed to resist. And what can one say about vintage autos? With thousands of great cars manufactured in over a century, who dares to claim which were the greatest?

Nevertheless I've finally decided (lacking better ideas) to create a personal list. Below, in no special order, is Philip Powell's "10 Best Events You Shouldn't Miss Seeing in 2009."

• Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction

• Goodwood Festival of Speed

• Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza

• Texas Concours d'Elegance for Classic Cars and Wooden Boats

• Legenda e Passione: RM Ferrari Auction at Maranello

• Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

• London-Brighton Veteran Car Run

• Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance

• The Woodward Dream Cruise

• Monterey Historic Races

There are hundreds more wonderful concours, auctions, competitions, shows and parades to be seen all over the world and no matter how depressed the economy gets car owners will still bring out their classics and enthusiasts will still trek to the locales to observe and admire. Feel free to add your personal choices in the Comments section below.

[Image: 2009 Villa d'Este Poster]