The inaugural Arizona Concours d’Elegance took place Sunday, January 12, on the landscaped lawns of the historic Arizona Biltmore resort in Phoenix, AZ. The highly successful first-time event presented a selection of 75 automobiles, with winners announced for vehicle classes, special awards and Best of Show. Under brilliant blue skies, more than 2,000 people enjoyed the balmy Phoenix weather and the sights and sounds of a top-drawer concours celebration in an exclusive and intimate setting. Early backing for the inaugural event came from a handful of private supporters with diverse portfolios — real estate, tech ventures, and one European collector who had […]
The inaugural Arizona Concours d’Elegance took place Sunday, January 12, on the landscaped lawns of the historic Arizona Biltmore resort in Phoenix, AZ. The highly successful first-time event presented a selection of 75 automobiles, with winners announced for vehicle classes, special awards and Best of Show.
Under brilliant blue skies, more than 2,000 people enjoyed the balmy Phoenix weather and the sights and sounds of a top-drawer concours celebration in an exclusive and intimate setting. Early backing for the inaugural event came from a handful of private supporters with diverse portfolios — real estate, tech ventures, and one European collector who had built his fortune around a service before shifting his attention entirely to pre-war automobiles. The Arizona Concours is an event long envisioned by auto enthusiasts to serve as a starting point for Arizona’s famous collector-car auction week.
The 1925 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet de Ville owned by Donald Nichols of Lompoc, CA, won Best of Show honors from the field of concours contenders. Nichols discovered the car in 1970 sitting in derelict condition in a Sarasota, FL, alley and finally completed its restoration just two years ago.
The Hispano, with coachwork by Kellner, was originally owned by the famous industrialist Andrew Mellon. Nichols kept the car for nearly four decades before undertaking the daunting challenge of restoring it. The beautiful result was chosen by the Arizona Concours judges as the event’s first Best of Show.
The Best of Show trophy was sponsored and presented by Alfredo Molina of Molina Fine Jewelers of Phoenix. The Hispano also was awarded Best of Class, Full Classic European.
Among the special awards presented during the Concours, one standout was for the car chosen by the Wish Kids, nine young people who are part of Make-A-Wish Arizona, the founding chapter of the international organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Make-A-Wish Arizona is the charity recipient of the Arizona Concours.
The first Wish Kid award was a 1939 Bugatti T57C Galabier owned by Bill and Linda Pope of Paradise Valley, Arizona, that the nine kids chose from the concours field. The specially prepared trophy features two fanciful figures made out of car-engine parts.
Make-A-Wish Arizona raised $24,000 through the Arizona Concours, which will fund future wishes for three kids, according to spokesperson Lisa Evans.
Other awards presented at the Arizona Concours, with the official trophies created by famed Arizona artist Ed Mell, are:
Class winners
Antique — 1907 Panhard et Lavassor T-3 (John Konwiser, Scottsdale, AZ)
Full classic American Open — 1934 Buick convertible coupe (Lee Gurvey, Scottsdale, AZ)
Full classic American Closed — 1934 Packard 1104 2/4 coupe (Sharon Briskman, Scottsdale, AZ)
Full Classic European — 1925 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet de Ville (Donald Nichols, Lompoc, Calif)
Pre-war Rolls-Royce and Bentley — 1936 Rolls-Royce Sedanca de Ville (Jeffrey McKee, Phoenix)
100th Anniversary Maserati — 1937 Maserati 6 CM Grand Prix racer (Bill and Linda Pope, Paradise Valley, AZ),
Pre-war European Sports and Racing — 1938 Jaguar SS 100 3.5-liter (Philippe Reyns, Chandler, AZ)
Avant garde — 1938 Steyr 220 roadster (Peter Boyle, Oil City, PA),
Post-war Racing — 1951 Schroeder/Stevens Indianapolis racer (Gary Schroeder, Burbank, CA)
Iconic post-war American — 1952 Hudson Hornet (Jon Andersen, Murray, UT),
Post-war Mercedes-Benz — 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster (Grant and Judy Beck, Scottsdale, AZ),
Post-war European Sports Cars — 1964 Ferrari Lusso (Tony Shooshani, Beverly Hills, CA),
Exotic — 1971 Ferrari 246 GT Dino (Pietro DiLeonardo, Glendale, AZ),
Post-war Preservation — 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC (Todd Reeg, Scottsdale, AZ).
Special awards
Most Elegant Pre-War — 1938 Steyr 220 roadster (Peter Boyle, Oil City, PA)
Most Elegant Post-War — 1955 Maserati A6G Frua Spyder (Thomas Mittler Estate, Mishawaka, IN)
Honorary Judges Award — 1930 Packard 745 convertible Victoria (Steve Snyder, Orange, CA) and 1928 Bentley 4.5-liter Le Mans (Bennett Dorrance, Scottsdale, AZ)
Director’s Choice — 1907 Renault A1 35-45 (Alan Travis, Phoenix)
Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin West Distinguished Design — 1936 Delahaye 135 competition Cabriolet (Ken and Ann Smith, La Jolla, CA)
Historic Vehicle Association — 1924 Hispano-Suiza dual cowl sport phaeton (William Ingler, Scottsdale, AZ)
Preparations are under way for the second annual Arizona Concours d’Elegance in January 2015. For more information, see www.arizonaconcours.com.
