Class Distinction Arizona Style

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Phoenix AZ, Jan 15 2017 - The 4th annual Arizona Concours d'Elegance was the 1st stop for Special Car Store on our maiden voyage to the Scottsdale auctions week. While the forecast a day earlier suggested rain, the worst the weather could muster was a dull grey sky. We aren't sure how many cars would get out in the rain, but we'd still be there to find out.

1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante

For a relatively new event, this Concours was done well for it's age - just right. The back yard at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel provides several nice theater spots to organize cars around. Given 90 cars, the organizers did a commendable job of finding one of almost everything you could want to see on such a day.

McLaren P1

The show was hosted by Keith Martin and Donald Osborne - a famous and smart television duo that pretty much owns the west coast for automotive hosts. A surprising number of judges were sourced from Canada - all of them fancifully missing a cold streak at home.

Concours are natural occasions for fundraising - this event's primary beneficiary is the Make-a-Wish Foundation. While the crowds were thick, the Arizona version is a sleeper event that is destined to need a bigger back yard soon. Ticket prices for this event are cheap at $80 in advance; $100 at the door; kids 12 and under free. The Arizona Concours d'Elegance is in a class of its own and makes a great start to Scottsdale Car Week.

The top winners of the fourth annual Arizona Concours d’Elegance are:

Best of Show – 1936 Bugatti Type 37 SC Atlantic coupe

Antique Automobiles – 1909 Renault AX

Post-War America-Powered Sports Cars – 1960 Chevrolet Corvette

Post-War American Racing Cars – 1951 Cunningham C2

Post-War European Sports Cars/Early – 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S convertible

Post-War European Sports Cars/Late – 1960 Ferrari 250 GT PF Cab Series 2

Post-War European Racing Cars & Historic Vehicle Association National Automotive Heritage Award – 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial

American Classic/Open – 1933 Marmon V16 convertible coupe

Iconic Post-War American Cars – 1953 Cadillac convertible

Iconic Post-War European Cars – 1949 Delahaye 155M

Preservation Cars – 1959 AC Ace Bristol roadster

Avante Garde – 1931 Nash Model 887 touring sedan

Classic Era Lincolns – 1926 Lincoln LeBaron sedan

Coachwork by Carrozzeria Vignale – 1953 Ferrari 250 Europa coupe

Most Elegant Pre-War Car – 1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster

Director’s Choice – 1951 Ferrari 212 MM

Historic Vehicle Association Most Well-Preserved Vehicle – 1933 Lincoln KB Judkins

Hagerty Youth Judging Award – 1959 Bocar XP-5

Pre-War European Sports/Racing – 1938 Jaguar SS-100 (not pictured)

Net proceeds from the nationally recognized Arizona Concours, as well as generous donations from participants and spectators, benefit Make-A-Wish® Arizona, the founding chapter of the international organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

by Randy Berg