World’s Smallest Car: The Peel P50
Hilton Head, SC – Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, returning for its sixth year, will boast numerous new features and exhibits at this year’s event, held November 1-4 at Honey Horn.
Among the new attractions are the Havoline Exhibit, the world’s smallest car, a display of antique ambulances and fire trucks, the JCB Diesel Max Car and a vintage motorcycle exhibit.
“We are excited to introduce island residents and visitors to some brand new exhibits,” said Carolyn Vanagel, Executive Director for the event. “The expansion of this event to include many forms and eras of motoring is what makes the Hilton Head Concours unique and memorable.”
The Havoline exhibit, sure to be a favorite among stock car racing enthusiasts, will have a NASCAR simulator, pit crew simulator, the NASCAR “Car of Tomorrow” and the Nextel Cup Car competing in the 2007 NASCAR season driven by Juan Pablo Montoya.
Additionally, many new cars will be available for test drive including cars coming from BMW Group (2007 BMW Z4 Convertible, 2007 BMW 328 Convertible, 2007 BMW 335 Convertible, 2007 BMW 335 Coupe, 2007 BMW 335 Sedan, 2008 BMW 535 Sedan, 2007 BMW 650 Convertible, 2007 BMW 750 LI, 2007 BMW X5, 2007 MINI Cooper Convertible), Porsche of Hilton Head (2008 Limited Edition Boxster), Jaguar Hilton Head (2008 Jag XJ8), Cadillac (2008 CTS) and Foreign Cars Italia (2007 Maserati QP and 2006 AM V8).
Both BMW Group and Cadillac will be bringing cars from their historical collections as well. With GM returning as a sponsor this year with Cadillac, they will be exhibiting on Saturday and Sunday their one of a kind 1953 Cadillac Le Mans Concept Car, a 1954 Cadillac Carrera Pan Americana Replica Race Car and a CTS/V Race Car.
Joining the new class of microcars are two vehicles from the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, TN, one of the few museums in America specializing in European cars. The Peel P50 is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s smallest passenger car and has only one seat and weighs a mere 250 pounds. The Peel Trident is a slightly bigger, two-seat model.
Another focus of this year’s Concours is an exhibit of antique first responder vehicles including six antique ambulances, seven antique fire trucks and a 1974 police cruiser from the New York City Police Department. Vintage vehicles are coming from Hilton Head, Beaufort, Bluffton and Jacksonville, FL along with a 1925 REO Speedwagon fire truck from Savannah. Two of the fire trucks are coming direct from American LaFrance, a leading manufacturer in fire engines celebrating its 175th Anniversary this year. A third fire truck will be on display from the Charleston Fire Museum which opens March 2008.
“The Concours has a heavy commitment to education, which is why we invite these museums and technology schools to the event,” Dr. Paul Doerring, Director of Exhibitors and Events Production, said. “It’s our way of supporting their efforts.”
Another exciting exhibit is the JCB Diesel Max, a revolutionary car designed entirely by computer and powered by a diesel engine. The car was built with advanced aerodynamics and a streamlined design, and has raced in the Bonneville Salt Flats races in Utah.
Adding to the excitement will be the Concours’ first display of more than 14 vintage motorcycles. The diverse selection includes Ducatis and Moto Guzzis from Italy, Indians and Harleys from the United States, a Triumph from Germany, an Abingdon and a Brough Superior from England, a late 1950s Dream from Japan and more. The motorcycles date from 1912 to 1974.
“The motorcycle exhibit is not only diverse but really enhances the quality of the motoring festival,” said Phil Capossela, former Vice-President of BMW’s Southern Division and a Concours exhibitor.
For more information on the Concours, visit www.hhiconcours.com or call 843.785.SHOW.