Concours d’Elegance
By Bob Golfen
The much-anticipated Arizona
Concours d’Elegance presented
75 automobiles to the Arizona
Biltmore on Sun., Jan. 12.
The highly successful first-time
event drew more than 2,000 people
to view the automotive finery in the
historic Biltmore setting.
The 1925 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet de Ville (left) owned by Donald Nichols of Lompoc, Calif., won Best of Show honors from the impressive field of concours contenders. Nichols discovered the car in 1970 sitting in derelict condition in a Sarasota, Fla., 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.
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1939 Bugatti T57C Galabier owned by Linda and Bill Pope
PHOTO BY BOB GOLFEN
The first Wish Kid award was a 1939 Bugatti T57C Galabier owned by Linda and Bill 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.
Additional cars of note:
1907 Renault Al 35-45 with owner Alan Travis of Phoenix at the wheel
PHOTO BY BOB GOLFEN
1928 Isotta Fraschni getting ready for judging
A 1938 Steyr 220 roadster picked as Most Elegant Pre-War
Alan Travis of Phoenix demonstrating his 1905 Mitchell, the oldest car at the Arizona Concours
PHOTO BY BOB GOLFEN
The 1956 Maserati 150S, part of the honored marque display of Maseratis
PHOTO AT TOP BY BOB GOLFEN
