GRAND PRIX CLASSICS - Key Persons
Mark is multi-lingual having resided in Europe for twenty five years. His experience includes attending the great racing events of the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's, and four years as a motor sports photographer on the Formula One circuit during the mid-1970's. Mark first opened for business as a historic car dealer in Frankfurt, Germany in 1977. Choosing to move to La Jolla, California in 1979, he was the franchised dealer for new Ferrari and Rolls Royce during the mid-1980's. He has a total of thirty five years of experience as a historic car dealer and a lifetime of involvement in motor sports.
As an active participant in historic racing, rallies, and concours events worldwide, he understands which cars have eligibility and are best suited for each event. Some of these racing events include the Classic Endurance Series (CER), Historic Grand Prix Series, Goodwood Revival, Le Mans 24 Hour Classic, Modena Cento Ore, Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Old Timer Grand Prix, Nurburgring, Silverstone Historic Festival, Sonoma Historic Festival, Tour (de France) Auto, Tour de Espana, and Spa 6 Hours. Rallies include the Colorado Grand, Mille Miglia, and Rallye des Alpes. Concours participation includes the Quail, Concorso Italiano, Pebble Beach, La Jolla Concours, Carmel Concours on the Avenue, and Dana Point. Historic car racing, rallies, and concours are sports that are growing rapidly with events across the USA and Europe. These events are an opportunity for passionate collectors to enjoy using their cars as these cars' original designers intended, in competition. As both an entrant and judge in Concours d'Elegance he understands the collector's love affair with sharing these beautiful cars with others.
Participating in these historic racing events, rallies, and concours, and with 35 years in the trade, he has the experience to give Grand Prix Classic's clients good advice in many areas of the car collector hobby. Mark certainly understands what makes a car collectible and what gives it its value. His years of experience have given him the credibility to contribute to automotive price guides in the Sports Car Market and the Vintage Race Car Journal. Even USA Today and Forbes Magazine quoted Grand Prix Classics' opinions on the investment side of collecting cars. He has written formal appraisals for finance and insurance purposes and have been called as an expert witness in complicated automotive cases. In the very small historic racing and sports car community, Mark Leonard is a trusted, leading authority in car values and market direction.
Our clients look to Mark as the expert who will guide them to not only a car they love, but one that is a solid investment they can enjoy. He has had the privilege of representing some of the world's most knowledgeable collectors and several museums, in building their wonderful automotive collections. Mark has appeared as a historian on the DVD re-release of the 1966 film Grand Prix. We are privileged to also be a guest speaker for many automobile clubs as well as hosting clubs at our business.
In addition, he is involved with many children's charities such as Make-a-Wish, Special Olympics, plus other worthy medical causes like Multiple Sclerosis, Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, and Wounded Warriors.
As an active participant in historic racing, rallies, and concours events worldwide, Mark understands which cars have eligibility and are best suited for each event. Some of these racing events include the Classic Endurance Series (CER), Historic Grand Prix Series, Goodwood Revival, Le Mans 24 Hour Classic, Modena Cento Ore, Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Old Timer Grand Prix, Nurburgring, Silverstone Historic Festival, Sonoma Historic Festival, Tour (de France) Auto, Tour de Espana, and Spa 6 Hours. Rallies include the Colorado Grand, Mille Miglia, and Rallye des Alpes. Concours participation includes the Quail, Concorso Italiano, Pebble Beach, La Jolla Concours, Carmel Concours on the Avenue, and Dana Point. Historic car racing, rallies, and concours are sports that are growing rapidly with events across the USA and Europe. These events are an opportunity for passionate collectors to enjoy using their cars as these cars' original designers intended, in competition.
As both an entrant and judge in concours, he understands the collector's love affair with sharing these beautiful cars with others…read more