Just minutes from West Hollywood, the history of this palatial residence could easily be a movie plot. Completed in 1928 at a cost of over $3 million dollars, the mansion was built for Ned Doheny and his family. The son of LA oil baron and USC patron Edward Doheny sr., Ned's life ended almost six months later when he was found shot in a guest bedroom with his male personal assistant Hugh Plunkett. Such a scandal was not new to the Doheny family as Edward Sr. was already deeply involved in the Teapot Dome scandal. Not surprisingly, the family took their time calling and admitting the police to the estate and the stories offered by the newly widowed Mrs. Doheny and family doctor did not match the forensic evidence. Their explanation claimed that the long loyal Hugh, upon being turned down for a raise, became enraged, killed the master of the house and then turned the gun on himself. Strange though, Ned had powder burns on his temple while Hugh was shot from afar. Facts that give a completely opposite account are enhanced by the realization that Ned was not buried in his family's catholic cemetery mausoleum but at the non-catholic Forest Lawn with Hugh just a few hundred yards away. Thus the likely theory remains much more valid, that Ned, fearing being called to testify against his father in the Teapot dome investigation, killed his lover Hugh and then committed suicide.  Danielle Steele herself couldn't have written it this juicy.

Beyond it's tragic background, in 1945, Ned's widow sold Greystone Mansion to midwest millionaire industrialist Col. Henry Crown, who at the time owned the Empire State Building. Later, it was owned by actress Debbie Reynolds, and has been featured in numerous films and TV Series. Among them, Ghostbuster II, Batman and Robin, The Bodyguard, Eraserhead, Spider-Man 1, 2 & 3, X-Men, The Big Lebowski and The Witches of Eastwick. As Tim Burton's remake of the gothic soap opera Dark Shadows is about to be released, I would be remiss not to mention that the estate was also used as Collinwood in the 1991 NBC-TV series revival. Still rented out for productions, the property became an 18.5 acre park in 1971 and was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1976. Thanks to dedicated volunteers who increased public awareness of this historical gem, the city of Beverly Hills saved the the mansion from demolition by purchasing it in 1965 for $1.1 million, considerably less than it's original cost. 

For those without an estate of their own or influential friends to visit, the third edition of the Greystone Mansion Concours d'Elegance affords such rare opportunity to wander the vast grounds and experience the world as Jake Gatsby, Harold Lloyd or Norma Desmond once lived it. The slightly overcast morning finds us dropped off by shuttle bus to a vast parking lot at the top of the property. Far from the normal lake of asphalt but a lot filled with colorful shinning metal of nostalgia. Neatly arranged in themes from Pre and Post-War American to Pre and Post-War European, these masterpieces of automotive engineering and design provide more than just fantasy fodder horsepower. As one wanders the rows of Packards, Jaguars, Porsche, and Mercedes Benz you suddenly feel as if you've entered a time tunnel, surrounded by rare artifacts seemingly unaffected by the passage of years. 

Suddenly a jolt back to reality with the ear drum pounding roar of what would one would expect from a jet engine. As I turn toward the source of this sonic boom generator, I discover the arrival of talk show host  Jay Leno in a  gem from his vast car collection. Sliding through the crowds like an extension of his prominent chin, he sits in a cylindrical shape 1917 Fiat Botafogo he purchased in Argentina. It's 21.7-liter aero engine is so loud that a number of paparazzi are almost hit by an unheard van following close behind. After parking and unveiling the engine of this rare behemoth, Leno exhibited his noted professionalism by posing for photographs with adoring fans and answering questions about his passion for cars. When he was asked the value of the Botafogo he shrugged with a slight annoyance and replied "I really don't know." A reminder that true collectors do so with a passion while investors simply purchase. 

As a man who was never into mechanics or engines and never looked under the hood of the first vehicle I purchased, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how various model designs changed through the years. I appreciate the era when hood ornaments crowned the front of a car long before they became popular necklaces. Harkening back to a simpler time when the purchase of a new car was the talk of the neighborhood. How can one not smile at a vehicle whose tail fins convey an image of being in flight even when it's standing still. It would be an impossible task to determine who's having more fun today between the owners perched proudly by their majestically restored car or the thousands of fans scattered about taking photos with an example of their first car or admiring the tuck-and-roll upholstery of their first make out location. Whether it's the sleek profile of 1970 Lamborghini Miura, the drive-in ready 1959 Ford Thunderbird convertible, the art deco elegance of a 1939 Bugati T57C, or the gangster evoking image of a 1925 Hispano Suiza H6B, there is something for everybody.

For today's fundraiser, the halls of Greystone are filled with exhibits and information about historical groups, automobile clubs, car restoration sources, vintage bikes, jewelry, leather handbags, time pieces and much more, the grounds are a cornucopia of distilled and culinary delights. From the upper parking lot and vehicle exhibit area to the lower gardens, courts and Italian cypress lined corridors offer all-you-can-eat treats from roast beef sliders with horseradish,chicken breasts, creamy macaroni and cheese, taoubuli, Caesar salad to  burgers, corn on the cob, and fruit salad. Liquid libations run the gamut from mint lemonade, espresso and lattes to beer, wine, tequila and margaritas. All free to ticket holders and as plentiful as a Lindsay Lohan sobriety brunch. While pre-recorded jazz music floats around the property the occasional heavy brass version of a Christmas tune popped up on more than one occasion bringing in to question, event producers and staffs attention to detail. Yet something to easily overlook in light of all that this event has to offer. 

As we were shuttled back to the designated downtown Beverly Hills parking locations I am reminded that the day's theme of transportation history has overlooked a focus on safety. Speeding down the curves of Doheny Road, I couldn't help but notice that a GPS device sat suction cupped in an illegal position on the windshield. My bewilderment grew as I observed the driver hold a cell phone up to his ear to answer a call - a task that has been illegal in California since 2008. Some would say I was lucky that he wasn't texting as well. Reminiscing over a wonderful day's theme of automobile evolution, I lament the fact that driver ignorance hasn't changed. Arriving at the parking garage safely I was surprised by the long line of new guests awaiting the next shuttle to take them up to Greystone Mansion. Here it was 2pm and the event had only two hours left. I guest church folk like classic cars too. 

On the web: http://www.greystoneconcours.org