The first three Best in Show winners of the Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance will return for the 4th annual event, scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2016 on the fairways of the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.
“We’re humbled to have our first three champions coming back to this event, which has become very special to them, in order to find out who will join their exclusive club,” said Pinehurst Concours president Jay Howard. “By Saturday afternoon, we will have a very special Concours Foursome.”
The Pinehurst Best of Show winners include a 1919 Pierce-Arrow Model 66 A-4 Tourer (2015), a 1931 Cadillac 452A (2014) and a 1938 Steyr 220 Glaser Roadster (2013). All three former champions will make a grand entrance onto the showfield on Saturday, April 30 at 9:30 a.m., and then be displayed for show attendees to observe and learn about their history with the cars’ proud owners.
“What a sight it will be,” added Pinehurst Concours chief judge Nigel Matthews. “I can’t think of another event that has managed to bring all of the winners together since its inception.”
The 1919 Pierce-Arrow is owned by Georgia philanthropist and businessman Robert S. “Bob” Jepson Jr. It stands 7 feet tall at its highest point, weighs 7,000 pounds, and was customized for silent movie actor Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.
“It has great eye appeal and was built for a pretty famous guy,” Jepson said of his bright purple car. “We have been to several car shows over the years and I don’t think there have been any that are that are as much fun as Pinehurst. It’s in the right part of the world, it’s the right size show, and it’s for a good cause. You have the USO Show Troupe singing and providing entertainment for the crowd, you’ve got the military flying in above you with parachutists, you’ve got a wonderful rock event after the car show – it’s just a lovely, lovely place to be, and an exciting place to be as well. We can’t wait to bring Mr. Fatty with us. I will be there with spurs on.”
Jepson drove his winning Pierce-Arrow through the middle of the post awards concert crowd last year en route to a photo shoot in front of the Carolina Hotel — all to a standing ovation.
“I had never been a rock star before, but for a short period of time, I experienced it — and it’s not all bad,” Jepson said.
Meanwhile, the 1931 Cadillac, owned by 93-year-old Charles Gillet of Lutherville, Maryland, is one of 200 ever made, with only about a dozen still known to exist.
“I think the Pinehurst Concours is the best organized and most congenial, friendly, and appreciative Concours along the East Coast,” Gillet said. “They make you feel like you’re on top of the world if you win something.”
And the 1938 Steyr, owned by Peter Boyle of Oil City, Pennsylvania, is one of six ever made.
“What we like best about the Pinehurst Concours are the comments from the people about our car and the fact that everyone is just so accommodating and nice — it is truly an overwhelming experience,” Boyle said. “I still have four of those lovely rocking chairs in my possession that were on hand for the inaugural event … and I cherish them greatly.”
“These three cars are pretty amazing champions for a Concours that is only heading into its fourth year,” added chief judge Matthews.
As many as 250 collector cars and motorcycles are expected on the fairways of Pinehurst Resort for the April 30 event, along with various forms of military entertainment. General admission and VIP tickets to the fourth annual collector car showcase and live concert can be purchased at PinehurstConcours.com.
The Grammy Award-winning Commodores — a band which has recorded seven No. 1 hits over four decades — will take the stage following the awards ceremony at approximately 5 p.m. The 2015 Pinehurst Concours and concert by Three Dog Night drew in excess of 10,000 patrons and this year’s event is expected to sell out.
For further information, visit PinehurstConcours.com.
[Source: Pinehurst Concours]
