Arizona Concours d’Elegance
When I was approached by one of the founders and organizers of the first ever Arizona Concours d’Elegance many months ago I was immediately all in. I was all in not only because Arizona has been sorely lacking an event of this caliber, but because of who it was who approached me. I knew right from the start that it was going to be a very solid event put on by true enthusiasts and that it would garner all the attention it deserved from all the people you want attentive. There are so, so many cars hidden away in the Phoenix valley and surrounding areas that unless you’re a very regular attendee to various events or lucky to know the right people, you really have no idea of just what’s out there. Through my years of shooting cars around the valley and up north I’ve gotten glimpses of some of this, but I’m still always amazed by things that lurking in people’s garages when I show up at their homes for a shoot and blown away by some of the cars that turn up at the monthly Cars and Coffee.
The 2014 Arizona Concours d’Elegance is one of those events that absolutely proves this point. While there were a number of cars in attendance that I’d not only seen before, but a handful that I’ve actually done full shoots with (Toyota 2000GT, 1971 Dino 246 GT, Jaguar SS 100 and 1963 Apollo 3500 GT amongst others), there were plenty that I’d not only never seen, but a number that I’d never even heard of before.
The historic Arizona Biltmore also created a very fitting backdrop for all of these rolling works of art while providing some pretty unique photo opportunities, which I always appreciate. It’s great to be able to see such rare machines but even better when you’re able to see them from angles you normally would never be able to, allowing you to further appreciate all the curves and folds of their body work.
In just it’s first year, the 2014 Arizona Concours d’Elegance has already cemented itself as one of the premier automotive events in the region and I’m confident it’ll only be topped by the 2015 Arizona Concours d’Elegance.
| 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 (Grand 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 — 1987 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) |
| 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) | |