Vehicle Selection Committee
Bob is an expert on collector car insurance, and it’s his passion for the collector car hobby that began his involvement as a Board Member for the La Jolla Concours d ’Elegance in 2013. He is a longtime member of the Classic Car Club of America. His name is on the wall at the Petersen Automotive Museum for financial contributions made in support of this great Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. He has twice been a featured guest on the podcast CarYeah hosted by Mark Greene. Bob has been on the Docent team led by Wayne Craig at both the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Las Vegas Concours.
In 2021, Bob was asked by the longtime Chairman of the La Jolla Concours d ’Elegance, Michael Dorvillier, to join him as Co-Chairman of the La Jolla Concours d ’Elegance. “Working at Michael’s side, we will strive to host a Concours with world-class automobiles and world-class experiences for our sponsors, entrants, and patrons. “Michael and I share a common vision for our Concours d’Elegance; to have the most amazing automobiles and world-class judging. Our business vision aligns in that our day-to-day focus is continuous improvement upon the execution of our Concours events, which benefit our charities”.
Bob Kerner’s practice at Marsh McLennan Agency as an insurance risk manager to ultra-high-net-worth families has spanned the past 24 years, covering all risk transfer needs for a family anywhere in the world. You can contact Bob directly at 949 381-8366.
Pebble Beach Concours Docent Chairman, Ironstone Concours Race Car Chairman, Blackhawk Museum Docent, Hagerty Junior Judges Program Leader-Hillsborough Concours and CEO of Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Often called “Mr. Packard,” Robert Escalante’s entire life has revolved around the Packard automobile and the city of Santa Ana. He grew up in Santa Ana and bought his first Packard at age seventeen. Soon after, he started working at Custom Auto Service, a Packard restoration shop in town. There, he learned the restoration business from the ground up. In 1983, he bought the business, and a year later faced the threat of losing it all through imminent domain from the city that was focused on gentrification. That’s when his real education began. By then, he knew Packards inside and out, but city politics was a different beast. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? Robert persevered and learned how to survive and thrive in local politics. His secret? Get involved! He volunteered to help the city develop four city blocks in the historic area and has since participated in many city projects and served on many different boards. The city of Santa Ana responded, and even proclaimed June 16 as Packard Day. And Custom Auto Service was named Small Business of the Year by the local state assemblyman.
Robert is president of Custom Auto Service but finds time to promote the Packard marque as well as other collector cars in the hobby. He serves on the La Jolla Concours Selection Committee and other car shows and tours throughout Southern California. In 2022, he was elected president of Packards International Motor Car Club.
Today, Robert continues to serve the city in many ways, and with the help of his staff of dedicated professionals, Custom Auto Service is still on the corner of Third and French restoring and servicing Packards. Celebrating fifty-eight years in business, it remains the oldest restoration shop in California.
Patrick has been a car enthusiast since childhood. At 15 years old his Dad gave him a 1930 Model A Ford coupe, which he restored and sold to a collector. The next acquisition was a 1967 GTO six-pack four on the floor. Always wanting a Mercedes Benz, at 27 he purchased a 1960 220se convertible. The next Mercedes was a 1970 280sl #903 (midnight blue) which he restored and won 1st in three Concours d’ Elegance competitions. He and his wife, Katy, currently own a 1970 280sl #904 (blue/gray) preservation example. Patrick has judged at the La Jolla Concours for 10 years and feels privileged to be part of the La Jolla Concours team of volunteers.
In the car business for 29 years, and in the current Iconic Coastal Location for 25 years, owner of Cardiff Classics Thomas Billick, (Tom) is honored to serve on the committee this year. “It’s always a privilege to participate in such a prominent event such as the La Jolla Concours.”
Carl and Vicki Zeiger, pictured in front of their 1941 Cadillac, are both car enthusiasts. Carl is on the Board of the Classic Car Club of America Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan and Vicki is on the National Board of the Classic Car of America, headquartered in Chicago, IL. They are also members of the San Diego/Palm Springs and Southern California regions of the Classic Car Club of America.
Into cars since the age of 5 when Keith Wahl’s original car guy role model, his father, brought home a Singer 4 AD Roadster. Keith’s dad had quite the eye for cars since he was 16 years old having owned some pretty cool vehicles. That singer 4AD roadster got traded for a 1954 Jaguar XK 120 M Roadster which remained in the family for 18 years.
Keith likes to say the petrol is in his DNA since the avocation never left him. He has been involved in almost every aspect of the hobby from acquisition to hands on restoration. He has been with the La Jolla Concours for 10 years and was the Chair of the Motor Car Classic. He currently serves on the car Selection committee and assists on the Tour D’Elegance.
Keith has displayed four vehicles over the years at the Motor Car Classic and La Jolla Concours having won 3rd place with his 1962 Mercedes 190 SL roadster. Sold in 2020 just at the onset of the Covid Pandemic, it is now on display at a Mercedes Dealer in South Korea. In addition to his restored 1963 R2 4 speed Avanti he owns a 1947 Triumph Roadster, and 4 additional Studebakers, three of which are supercharged.
Gordon Clark was born in Ely, Nevada in 1939. He had multiple careers and interests over the years, including 20 years with the U.S. Navy, and 30 years as an Air Traffic Controller with the Department of Defense. He also liked to expand his mind and obtained degrees in education, business, art history, and aviation sciences.
Vintage Motorcycles are Gordon’s hobby. He searches for interesting models, restoring some and leaving others as-is for their patina. Currently, he has 18 motorcycles in his collection. Taking long-distance trips on motorcycles and riding with friends are two more benefits of his passion.
Gordon is a member and past President of the San Diego Antique Motorcycle Club and is excited about his sixth year as a judge at the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance.
Bio coming soon.