The South Coast Chapter of the California Native Plant Society received a bequest of $392,000 from the Vincent Conze Living Trust on March 5, 2009.

The Trust document states simply that the bequest is for “Native Plant Garden Projects” and the Board discussed preliminary ideas to honor this intent at special retreats on June 19 and August 24, 2009. The Board has made no substantive decisions about specific use of the bequest, and anticipates the information gathering, analysis and proposal process to continue into the foreseeable future. Member input is welcome.

Elaine Conze was one of the 22 charter members who founded the South Coast Chapter in 1982.  She was active with the Chapter through the late 1990s and passed away January 12, 2008 at the age of 97.

Historical Background

Andy, Elaine and Vince Conze formed the Conze Machine Shop just after World War II and provided innovative products for the auto racing industry.

Conze teams had raced at the dry lakes of Southern California in the 1930s, then became known for their oval track cars, and their attempts to win at the Indy 500 and Pikes Peak Hill climbs.  Vince preferred to build and maintain the cars, while Andy managed the teams and Elaine handled the day-to-day business of the shop.

Vince never married, and Andy and Elaine never had any children of their own, though they always made their employees feel like family. Andy and Elaine created some memorable trips together. They loved primitive camping. They explored Mexican jungles to see the ancient ruins and stayed with the native Indians in their villages. They visited the Pribaloff Islands to live with Aleut Eskimos and watch the seals, walruses and exotic birdlife. They have hiked, backpacked and camped in every state in the USA and all of the Provinces of Canada, except one.

The Conze Machine Shop closed in 1993 and Vince Conze passed away May 6, 2005.

Andy predeceased Elaine.

Additional Details

Conze Machine Shop History
http://www.hotrodhotline.com/feature/friends/05conzebros/

Vince Conze Remembered - 1995
http://web.me.com/geoffreyg/Stories/Millers.html

Society of Land Speed Racing Historians
http://www.hotrodhotline.com/feature/heroes/landspeedracing/2008/08newsletter41/

Vince Conze Obituary
http://www.oilstick.com/rparks/blltnbrd/70.htm