Cadillac has been named the Honored Marque for the Concours d’Elegance portion of this year’s 16th annual Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival, scheduled for October 27 through November 5 on South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island. The Festival kicks off with the Savannah Speed Classic, October 27–29, on the Grand Prize of America road course on the property of The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia.
The concours, held the final day of the Festival, Sunday, November 5, will have three classes dedicated to Cadillac: Classics (1916-1948); Production (1949–1962); and Production (1963–1973). The vehicles competing within these classes, as well as other notable vehicles on display in other events within the Festival, will showcase one of the most famous American marques and its many contributions to the automobile industry — the introduction of the electric starter and electric lights (1912), the first mass-produced V8 engine (1915), the iconic tail fins (1948) and the introduction of high-compression overhead valve V8 engines (1949).
“Cadillac has a long history of exceptional design,” said Ed Welburn, GM’s former global design chief, “vehicles with dramatic proportions and elegant execution.” Welburn will be one of the featured designers at Autoweek’s Design Among the Stars on Saturday evening at the South Carolina Yacht Club at Windmill Harbour, and will be judging the Cadillac classes during Sunday’s Concours at the Port Royal Golf Club.
Significant Cadillac vehicles that will be displayed as part of the celebration include:
- The Cyclone concept car from 1959 (above, photo courtesy of Hilton Head Motoring Festival), one of the last cars designed by the legendary Harley Earl and the vehicle that inspired Welburn’s career;
- A 1908 Cadillac Model T Victoria Touring, owned by Paul Ianaurio of Duncan, S.C., which received the VMCCA Award for Best Pre-1912 Automobile in 2003;
- A 1934 Cadillac Victoria Convertible Coupe, owned by Steven Plunkett of London, Ontario, one of only 56 produced that year with a V16 engine;
- The 1955 Cadillac St. Moritz, an exact re-creation of a 1955 GM Motorama car that was a modified 1955 Eldorado. It incorporates a unique interior with ermine fur, mouton carpets and unique door panels. Finished in white pearl paint, this car is the result of efforts by Rick Payton of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Cadillac will also participate as a Classic Level Sponsor of this year’s Motoring Festival, displaying and offering complimentary test drives in its latest models. For more information about the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance, please visit www.HHIMotoringFestival.com
