There was something for everyone this past weekend at the Third Annual Atlanta Concours d’Elegance –from mint julep ice cream on the grounds of world-renowned Chateau Elan to an international food flow with outstanding latte service – but the cars were still the stars! Biggest winners of the more than 30 class categories were:
- Best in Show European: The Evergreen Collection, Steve Plaster, 1933 Isotta Fraschini
- Best in Show American: Millard Choate, 1937 Packard Super 8 Dual Cowl Sport
- Don Panoz Visionary Award: presented to McPherson College, Amanda Gutierrez M.B.A., vice president for Automotive Restoration
According to Bill Wallet, CEO of the Atlanta Concours, with nearly 180 cars on the show field for the Concours and another 100 non-show cars active at the prior day’s Classics and Coffee at the Chateau event, including those chosen Saturday as the ‘Magnificent Seven’ to compete in their own class on Sunday, the event proved that three makes a tradition.
“We’re very excited by the notable increase in awareness and participation we’ve garnered over the past few years,” said Wallet. “The diversity of attendees, entrants and vehicles is outstanding – even the ability to claim the largest showing of brass-era cars in any concours event nationwide really sets us apart.”
Wallet noted that the competition, all adjudicated by a team of 50 judges using the internationally acclaimed ICJAG criteria, included rare cars and class categories ranging from preservation and pre- and post-war vehicles to more modern-day sports and European race cars. Porsche, the featured marque for the weekend and continuing the brand’s 70th anniversary celebration, was well represented in at least four categories including the beautiful and iconic 356 model of the early ‘60s.
Brass-era cars alone, with three separate classes distinguished by horsepower, had some amazing standouts along with a selection of Duesenberg, Cord and Auburn models, as well as one dozen rare Packard vehicles. For a full display of photos and videos, please view: https://tinyurl.com/ycungntm
Additional Merit and Enthusiast Value
- Honoring the late visionary and esteemed entrepreneur Don Panoz, the Atlanta Concours instituted an annual award called the ‘Don Panoz Visionary Award’ that was presented in this first year to McPherson College, the only school in the nation that offers a four-year degree in Automotive Restoration. Amanda Gutierrez M.B.A., vice president for Automotive Restoration, received the award on behalf of the college, instructors and the attending students that participated in the Concours as junior judges
- “Classic Car Values” panel discussion was held once again on Saturday, offered interesting marketing trends, practical advice for auction goers, and various opinions on car valuations from modern day to barn finds, with expertise from Jim Grundy, Grundy Insurance; Melanie Pray, Board Member of the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center and Porsche class judge; Dave Kinney, USAppraisal and Concours judge; and Skip Smith, Caffeine and OctaneTV Host. Attendees had a full hour of Q&A discussion with personal questions answered after the group panel.
- The Magnificent Seven began in 2017 to select seven exceptional vehicles from Saturday that stand out based on unique attributes and offer those vehicles and their owners the chance to publicly showcase their car within an authentic and highly regarded setting – on the Sunday show field of the Atlanta Concours. The entries are chosen by a celebrity panel and for 2018 this special award category included:
- 1954 Corvette – OWNER: Larry Griffey
- 1966 Studebaker Wagonaire – OWNER: Eric Pierce
- 1957 Ford Fairlane Skyliner – OWNER: William Hearnberg
- 1970 Mercedes Benz 280 – OWNER: Tommy Couch
- 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR – OWNER: Mark Erbegfield
- 1965 Mustang Convertible – OWNER: Steve Haywood
- 1962 TR3 B (2018 WINNER) – OWNER: Mick Allison
A full list of all classes and award winners can be found at www.atlantaconcours.org
ABOUT THE ATLANTA CONCOURS:
Founded by CEO and Co-Chairman Bill Wallet and Co-Chairman Harry Krix, the Atlanta Concours d’Elegance is the first premier Concours automotive event to grace the metropolitan Atlanta region and will include more than 150 vintage and collectible entrant vehicles, as well as approximately 200 rare and high-interest privately owned automobiles on display. Wallet and Krix are lifelong friends and business associates who joined together three years ago to realize their dream of producing a major classic automobile event such as the Concours d’Elegance for the Atlanta community. More information can be found at www.atlantaconcours.org
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