In 1903, Lord Herbert drove his “horseless carriage” into La Jolla to introduce the village to its first motor-operated cart steered by a lever. The new means of transportation proved to be impossible in mud and rain and prone to tipping, but it paved the way for a new way of life. La Jolla will focus on the history of the automobile this week with a four-day-long series of motor-related events culminating with the sixth annual Motor Car Classic on Sunday, Jan. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Scripps Park. More than 140 classic automobiles will roll into town for car connoisseurs and the public alike to view, including horseless carriages, woodies, muscle cars, Shelby Mustangs and sports cars from Italy, Britain and America. Twenty vintage motorcycles will rumble in this year, including the famous 1920 Indian Scout featured in “The World’s Fastest Indian” movie. La Jolla High School will also display a student-built racecar. “What we want from the event is that it represents La Jolla well,” said John Bolthouse, executive director for the La Jolla Historical Society. “It’s a high-class event and we want it to be a good event for the businesses.” The La Jolla Historical Society has assumed responsibility for the event from Promote La Jolla, the community’s defunct business improvement district whose operations ceased in July after financial mishandling. “It gives the Historical Society an opportunity to expand its activities and its demographic appeal to more La Jollans and different types of La Jollans,” Bolthouse said. “Hopefully to get younger people interested in more of the things that we’re doing while still being consistent with our mission to champion and advocate for the preservation of all things historic.” Bolthouse said he will be satisfied if the Historical Society breaks even on the Motor Car Classic, since this is the organization’s first year running the event. Bolthouse said he’s working to market the car show internationally and expects thousands of people to turn out. Like last year, there will be a $25 charge to attend Sunday’s car show or $20 to purchase tickets online. Last year, Promote La Jolla earned $6,939 from the event and donated $5,000 to the Monarch School. In 2008, Promote La Jolla posted a $12,140 loss. The line-up Car exhibit: The automobile festivities begin at the Wisteria Cottage, 780 Prospect St., where the Historical Society’s latest exhibition tells the history of the automobile in La Jolla through images and maps. The exhibit is free and open to the public every Thursday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m. through Feb. 20. Shelby highlight: Colin Comer, author of “The Complete Book of Shelby Automobiles,” and Phil Remington, a chief engineer of the Shelby Cobra, will host a reception at the Wisteria Cottage and then proceed to Warwick’s Books for a lecture and book-signing on Jan. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. Warwick’s Books is located at 7812 Girard Ave. Admission is free. Vintage car parade: Sixty vintage automobiles will parade by Wisteria Cottage on their way to Scripps Park on Saturday, Jan. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and watch from the Wisteria lawn. Movie: “The Worlds’ Fastest Indian” film starring Anthony Hopkins tells the story of the 1967 world land-speed record set by 68-year-old Burt Munro on an Indian motorcycle, which will be on display at the La Jolla Motor Car Classic. The movie will play on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 3 p.m. at the La Jolla Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Tickets for the Motor Car Classic cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door. For more information, visit www.lajollamotorcarclassic.com.