PRANCING PONIES FASHION SHOW 2023

‘THE CAR SHOW WITH CURVE APPEAL’

MEET OUR JUDGES

Prancing Ponies would like to thank our Judges for using their expertise to elevate our car show and support

Women who Get Behind The Wheel!

Tom Matano

Designer Mazda MX 5, RX 7, Miata “M-Coupe”

Prancing Ponies Women’s Car Show Head Judge Since 2017

Tom Matano has over 30 years of experience in the automotive design industry. Prior to joining Mazda, he held design positions at General Motors in Detroit, MI, U.S.A. and Melbourne, Australia, and BMW in Munich, Germany. In 1983, he joined Mazda’s North American studio as a Chief Designer. He continued to become Vice President of the Design and Executive Vice President of Western Operations for Mazda R&D North America, Inc., From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Matano had been moved to Mazda headquarters in Japan, as an Executive Designer in the Global Advance Studio and the General Manager in charge of the Chief Designers as well as the Europe and North American studios.

His accomplishments at Mazda include the MPV, RX-7, and Miata, and many other projects by the design teams he managed and created.

Tom judges many car events each year, such as Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance, World Car Design Award, and others.

Mr. Matano is committed to becoming an educator and using his knowledge and experience to enhance the Industrial Design program at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

William ‘Bill’ Mitchell

Classic Car Aficionado & Collector

Bill Mitchell is a retired general contractor whose love of cars began when he purchased a used ’56 Chevy at age 17. Later, he ran his ’49 Ford D/gas at the drags. His next cars were a ’65 Malibu, ’68 Corvette, ’70 Riviera, ’76 Seville, ’79 El Dorado, and, finally, an ’84 Lincoln Mark VI. In 1992, he began building a fiberglass ’34 Ford coupe known as The Alien.

His wife DJ Mitchell won Best in Show 2019 at the Prancing Ponies Women’s Car Show!

And, his love of cars continues…

Alison Lewis

Certified Mercedes Concours & Sports Car Club of America Judge

I have been in love with cars my entire life. My father was a mechanic with the Tuskegee Airmen and named me after the engine that was used in the P-51 Mustangs. He was also a member of a Corvette car club and I rode shotgun on several outings.

When I bought my first Mercedes, the first thing I did was join the Mercedes Benz Club of America. I went to an annual meeting and noticed I was one of only 3 women in a room of 50+ men. I raised my hand and asked why that was but they had no answer for me. I was asked if I had any suggestions. One thing I suggested was their marketing should include women in the “sports cars”, not just the “family sedan”. We like to drive fast too! As I was leaving, I was approached by a gentleman who asked me if I would be interested in judging cars, and I jumped at the opportunity. Long story short, I have been judging for MBCA for 13 years. A few years later, was recruited by the Sports Car Club of America to judge for them.

There is a Polish proverb that says, ‘There is no ride without a star.” In my life I have driven many cars, but the one with the star, is where I feel best. It is power. It is beauty, It is Mercedes Benz.

Graham Pike

Luxury Car Aficionado & Collector

My name is Graham Pike. A self-proclaimed car nut from the age of 3, I started in the luxury automobile business in England in 1971, selling the newly announced Jaguar E-Type V12, as well as other Jaguar and Daimler models. I will make this brief, as I have MANY fun and exciting experiences.

Over my almost 50 years in the luxury/ultra-luxury car business, I have been involved with Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, Bugatti, Maserati, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Spyker, Saleen S7, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Daimler.

I have been a volunteer for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for 34 years, most recently as a Media Guide. The Master of Ceremonies for the San Francisco Concours deElegance and the Concours at Serrano. I have completed around 10 driving and racing schools and participated in many rallies and car events.

I was a Flag Marshal for the British Automobile Racing Club for 9 years and have served on several of the RAC Rally events during the amazing “Group B”car era.

Oh, I have lots of memorabilia and about a 2,000 model car collection too!

So yes, a bit of a car nut!

I hope you truly enjoy the show and have a memorable car week.

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