SPRING 2025 NEWSLETTER • VOLUME 78
SPRING 2025 NEWSLETTER • VOLUME 78
The 2025 Arizona Concours d'Elegance took place on January 19, 2025, at the Scottsdale Civic Center, offering attendees a remarkable display of automotive artistry. This esteemed event featured over 100 rare and exotic automobiles, each meticulously selected for exhibition and judging.
Event Highlights:
• Best of Show: The top honor was awarded to a 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Convertible Cabriolet, celebrated for its exceptional engineering and timeless design.
• Exceptional Engineering Award: This accolade recognized vehicles that exemplify outstanding technical innovation and design excellence.
• Diverse Classes: The concours featured 16 distinct classes, showcasing a wide array of vehicles from pre-war classics to modern exotics, each reflecting the evolution of automotive design and engineering. generationhighoutput.com
Beyond the stunning vehicles, the event served as a philanthropic endeavor, with proceeds benefiting the arts and local artists. The concours was supported by nearly 150 volunteers and featured judges from the United States, Canada, and Europe, underscoring its international appeal and commitment to excellence. The 2025 Arizona Concours d'Elegance not only celebrated the rich heritage of automotive design but also fostered a sense of community among enthusiasts and collectors, making it a standout event in Arizona's automotive calendar.
Noteable Winners Included:
Best of Show Pre-War
1929 Duesenberg Model J Butterfly Dual Cowl Phaeton, owned by Valerie and Aaron Weiss, of San Marino, CaliforniaBest of Show Post-War
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, owned by DJSKI, LLC of Phoenix, ArizonaClass 1: The Dawn of Innovation - Carriages and Brass Era - Pre 1916
1903 Packard Model F, owned by Joe and Janice Conzonire of San Marino, CaliforniaClass 2: Elegance during America's Art-Deco Age - 1930s American Coachwork
1929 Duesenberg Model J Butterfly Dual Cowl Phaeton, owned by Valerie and Aaron Weiss of San Marino, CaliforniaClass 3: Exceptional Engineering of the Art-Deco Age - 1930s European Coachwork
1935 SS Cars Limited SS One “Airline” Saloon, owned by Jim and Lisa Hendrix of Chesterfield, MissouriClass 4: Etceterini - Engineering on a Smaller Scale
1964 Triumph Spitfire, owned by Barry Connally of Las Vegas, NevadaClass 5: Mid-Century Modern Engineering Mastery - Stylish 50s/60s Luxury
1963 Pontiac Catalina, owned by Allan Gartzman of Scottsdale, ArizonaClass 6: Preservation Class - Pre-1974
1973 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Spyder, owned by The Jon Shirley Collection of Medina, WashingtonClass 7: Modern European Engineering and Design - Sports/Racing Cars Early (1948-1960)
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, owned by DJSKI LLC of Phoenix, ArizonaClass 8: Modern European Engineering and Design - Sports/Racing Cars Late (1961-1974)
1969 De Tomaso Mangusta, owned by Steve Girard of Pewaukee, WashingtonClass 9: Trans-Am - The Glory Years - Historic 5.0 Liter Race Cars 1968-1972
1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, owned by Tom McIntyre of Burbank, CaliforniaClass 10: Contemporary Engineering from Legendary Marques - Exotic Sports Cars 1975-2015
2015 Porsche 918, owned by Dan and Valerie Withers of Phoenix, Arizona
Moda Miami 2025 owned and hosted by RM/Sotheby's, featured a dazzling Concours d’Elegance set against the historic backdrop of The Biltmore Hotel's lawn located in Coral Gables, Florida. Held March 1–2, this exclusive concours assembled over 200 of the world’s most significant automobiles, ranging from pre-war coachbuilt masterpieces to modern hypercars and motorsport legends.
Curated with an eye for design, history, and preservation, the event highlighted both celebrated classics and lesser-seen gems from private collections. The setting, paired with a lifestyle-focused weekend of fine dining, art, and fashion, gave the Concours a distinctly elevated Miami flair.
This past March, The Amelia, Florida Concours - owned and hosted by Hagerty once again became the epicenter for classic car enthusiasts, hosting a series of prestigious events, auctions, and the renowned Amelia Concours d’Elegance. The weekend was a testament to the enduring allure of automotive artistry, featuring historically significant automobiles, spirited auctions, and memorable gatherings.
The Amelia Concours d’Elegance:
Celebrating Milestones
The 30th Annual Amelia Concours d’Elegance showcased over 240 historically significant automobiles across 35 classes. The event culminated with two standout winners:
Best of Show – Concours d’Elegance:
A 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B from The Keller Collection at The Pyramids, recognized for its impeccable design and historical significance.
The Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 stands as one of the most formidable race cars of its era, thanks in large part to its Vittorio Jano-designed eight-cylinder engine, which proved victorious in nearly every major race and championship. Originally introduced in the 8C 2300, the engine debuted in 1931 with a 2336cc displacement before gradually increasing to 2905cc, primarily through an extended stroke. Despite these changes, Jano’s original engineering remained largely intact, preserving the car’s race-winning formula.
With Scuderia Ferrari running the Alfa Romeos, these machines dominated the competition, securing their place in motorsport history. Chassis No. 412028, believed to be a prototype for the 1938 Mille Miglia, was found to be an original short-chassis model during its restoration, with unique characteristics that set it apart from the standard 8C 2.9 Sport—including a larger, redesigned exhaust system. Ordered new in 1938 by legendary Italian driver Giuseppe Farina, this particular example is the only 8C 2900 bodied by Farina, making it a truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece in the world of pre-war grand touring and competition cars.
Best of Show – Concours de Sport: A 1967 Lotus 49, driven by racing legend Jim Clark, celebrated for its groundbreaking engineering and racing pedigree.
Chassis No. 49/2 holds a significant place in Formula One history as the second Lotus 49 ever built. This remarkable machine made its debut at Zandvoort in 1967, piloted by the legendary Jim Clark, marking the first-ever appearance of the groundbreaking Cosworth DFV engine. Developed with sponsorship from Ford Motor Company, the 400+ horsepower V8 revolutionized Formula One, becoming the dominant powerplant in the sport for years to come. The DFV, short for Double Four Valve, was named for its innovative four-valves-per-cylinder design, a key to its impressive performance.
Throughout its racing career, 49/2 found success on multiple continents, securing victories at Silverstone, Watkins Glen, and four Tasman Series races between 1967 and 1968. In 1968, Jackie Oliver and Jo Siffert took the wheel, followed by Mario Andretti at the 1969 South African Grand Prix. Later that year, Lotus founder Colin Chapman sold the car to Pete Lovely, who campaigned it in Formula One races from 1969 to 1971. In 2010, Classic Team Lotus meticulously restored 49/2, ensuring its place as one of the most celebrated and historically significant Lotus Grand Prix cars ever built. These awards highlight the event's dedication to honoring both elegance and sporting excellence in the automotive world.
