On August 23, 2025, we were treated with an early look at the San Marino Car Show (SMCS) at Lacy Park near Pasadena, California. It was an eclectic display of cars of the 20^th century that spread far and wide across the 30-acre park. Besides the cars on display, there were a number of art vendors that presented some spectacular work. The SMCS is an annual happening with the purpose of having an “event that brings increased public awareness of the history of the motor vehicle through a broad spectrum exhibition of historical automobiles from the early to mid-twentieth century. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA and the Rotary Club of San Marino, both of which are 501(c)3 non-profit charities.” 

The cars represented manufacturers from all over the world and most were stunningly beautiful in their original design. Everything from Ferrari to Rolls Royce and much, much more. One car in particular caught my eye was a 1964 ASA 1000GT which went on to win the “Most Exotic Sports Car” award. It looked like a miniature Ferrari. There was a car for everyone to like something there.

Among the cars there, was a Citroen owned by FastLane mechanic JF Martin. He tells us about it and the car next to it below:

“My car is a 1954 Citroen Traction Avant (meaning front wheel drive)

It came out in April 1934 and end production in 1957. It was a revolution, first car with unibody, rack and pinion, 4-wheel independent suspension, 4-wheel hydraulic brakes and front wheel drive. The car was developed in 18 months. The car hugs the road and was a massive technological departure for the contemporary designs of the day. So much so that if you were robbing a bank, you had a TAV, if you were in the resistance, you had a TAV, if you were German soldiers fleeing, you stole a TAV. They were quick and 20MPG. 

Being at the controls, transports you back in time – the smell, the vibrations, the cabin design, low/rectangular windshield, this is a signature of the car of the 30s. You feel like the French Bonnie and Clyde, really. It is an absolute joy to drive. 

The car next to mine is an ID19 1964 (the economy version of the DS which means goddess). It is the successor of the Traction. It came out in 1955 at the Paris Auto Show in the Grand Palais. These 2 cars were produced concurrently for 2 years. The ID/DS was also a revolution, signature of Citroen brilliant engineering and relentlessly pushing the envelope of technology. 

Oleo-pneumatic suspension all around, along with steering, brakes, and clutch/gear runs with hydraulic pressure. Dozens of feet of plumbing carry hydraulic fluids throughout the car. Everything becomes alive as the engine runs. No engine = a dead horse.

Fascinating car.”

On the artwork side, there was a nice display of paintings and sculptures from Richard Pietruska who has been a professor at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena for 51 years. Some of his students also had artwork on display which demonstrated their talents at a young age. One of the unique displays was from AVCO Art where I spoke with Emile Amante. They specialize in custom artwork using your car. You provide a picture and they paint the car and put your car with any background of your choosing. For example, you could have your car with a favorite cityscape or race track background. These paintings even had sound bars attached to the bottom of the frame so you could toggle a model car to change music or sound tracks while you admire the art!

All-in-all, it was great to see such a wide variety of automobiles from all over the world. Mark this on your calendar for next year!

NOTE: Jean Francois (JF) Martin is a walking encyclopedia of automotive knowledge. In his words: “This is what we do at our shop. 99% of the cars we work on are Citroens from 1924 to 1990 to date, a wide range of platforms and technologies across the ages.

After my tenure with Cosworth USA and Honda Racing HPD and a few stints in the aerospace industry, I decided to get my own gig going. I was always curious about what it would be like to enjoy every day what I enjoyed on weekends (and make a living off of it). 5 years later, our business is thriving, lots of cars coming out of the woodwork. 
Our next big gathering will be Best of France and Italy on Sunday Nov 2^, 2025 at Woodley Park in Van Nuys, CA. Free spectator entry, cool French and Italian cars of all kinds and prices.”

Copyright © 2025 Larry Mason

Two classic Citroens are shown here with the one on the right belonging to FastLane mechanic and Citroen expert, JF Martin. The details of these two beauties are listed above.

This 1964 ASA 1000GT is a cool little sports car with the look of a Ferrari of the time. This particular car was one of the show winners this year. Notice the nice red Maserati in the background as well as the latest fully electric VW from a local dealer.

How’s this for a painting?! Richard Pietruska who’s been an art professor for over fifty years provides his take on a classic with a twist. Enzo Ferrari is surrounded by his F1 drivers like Lauda, Andretti, Villeneuve, Scheckter and others.

Richard Pietruska also does sensational sculptures. This stylized Ford GT40 is curved to emphasize movement (almost like a fish in water). These gentle curves add intrigue to the art.

Some of Pietruska’s students came up with these fantastic paintings showing the light reflecting off of the glossy paint jobs on the cars. Notice also with the BMW LMP car that the M logo colors are also included in the background. Each student picks their own project and paints using a photo to gain inspiration.

A couple of super cool Volkswagens in the foreground with a really clean Chevy in the background are just some of the variety on the lawns of Lacy Park.

This BMW Isetta micro car helped save BMW after WWII. Originally designed in Italy, the front of the car is the door that opens up to the inside. It was quite the economy car getting 78 mpg from its single cylinder engine.

This 1912 Mercer Type 35-C Raceabout could be yours if you’ve got over $1,500,000 laying around!

You supply a picture of your car, and AVCO art will paint it along with a custom background as mentioned above.

Interview and photos Copyright © by Larry Mason (unless otherwise noted)