Luxury, Legacy, and Local Giving Rev Up at Flying ‘A’ Garage Reception

Beneath the gleam of hand-polished chrome and the soft glow of showroom lights, the Flying ‘A’ Garage opened its doors Thursday for a reception of equal parts vintage glamour and philanthropic spirit.

Home to the private Aaron Weiss collection—scores of rare, classic, and one-of-a-kind luxury cars from both the U.S. and Europe—the Flying ‘A’ Garage was the perfect starting line for the upcoming San Marino Motor Classic. The reception brought together car lovers, community and business leaders, along with nonprofit champions, all under one roof to celebrate 15 years of giving.

“We started this show with two goals: to create a fun, family-friendly event—and to raise money for our community,” said Aaron Weiss, founder of the San Marino Motor Classic, addressing the guests. “There are more 501(c)(3)s in Pasadena than anywhere else in the country. That says something about who we are.”

The event will raise funds for five local nonprofits: Pasadena Humane, San Marino Rotary Charities, Cancer Support Community of San Gabriel Valley, Give-Mentor-Love Foundation, and Shriners Hospital for Children. Last year’s total hit $421,000. This year, Weiss hopes to cross the half-million mark, with a million-dollar cushion already in reserve to ensure the event’s future.

“So, if you haven’t donated yet,” Weiss joked to the guests, “we’re going to lock the doors—but you can get out by buying a car.”

The reception is a preview to the main event: the San Marino Motor Classic, held annually at Lacy Park, a pristine 30-acre green space usually closed to the public on weekends. The show features over a century of motoring history and draws top-tier vehicles from around the country—such as last year’s Best in Show—a 1939 Delahaye Type 165 Figoni et Falaschi Cabriolet from the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Adding to the glamor is the Symphony of Cars Gala, where 15 iconic automobiles will be showcased to the live sounds of Gary Tole and the Legends of Swing Orchestra, each piece selected to match the year of the vehicle’s origin.

“We’ll start the show at $90,000 a year to get us going, and we’re good,” Weiss said. “Hopefully, we’ll keep going for another 14 years.”

More information about the event is available at www.sanmarinomotorclassic.com.