2018 Boca Raton Concours

By: Mark Moskowitz MD

Guy Lewis and the Howard Hughes Rolls-Royce

The Boca Raton Concours experienced a growth spurt this year. Fueled by ACD Citrus Tour participants and a juried group from the AACA, the field grew by 25 per cent. And there were more celebrities. Comedians, Jay Leno and Tim Allen, chose and personally awarded their favorite car and motorcycle. Wayne Carini was ever present, engaging fans with meaningful conversation and photo-ops. Crowds grew as well.

An important feature, as emphasized by ever present operations chair - Russell Glace, was the AACA display of Cars through the Decades gathered to show 'innovations and development in the (automotive) industry. AACA President, Steve Moskowitz, invited 32 of the best cars that represented change through eight decades'. Glace also seemed proud of the show's debut cars: 'six collectors chose to use the Boca Concours as their platform to launch their cars on the concours circuit.'

The featured brand was Lincoln Mercury, a Ford division until the latter's demise in 2011. The 1938 K Convertible Sedan of Ralph Marrano, and admittedly 'his favorite', won the pre-war Lincoln class and the Chief Judges Award. The LeBaron design was a one-off with numerous styling touches including flush mounted in fender headlights and a custom front end which resembled a later La Salle. Attached to the rear bumper was a swing-out luggage stand. In the front every piece of the grill was uniquely shaped. The cut glass finery and appointments in the rear rivaled that of any proper motor car.

A significant Mercury, the Richard Driehaus Collection XM-800, made a pair of trips to the awards stand. The concept car had made its debut at the 1954 Detroit Auto Show and had been slated for production. Ford executives chose to introduce the Edsel instead. Attendees were captivated by the sleek custom with its unique grill. Tim Allen chose it for his designated award.

Gerald Houck participated in two of the major displays. His AACA car was a multi-award winning Australian Holden 1934 Chevrolet Roadster Utility, one of two built. Attracting attention was a significant Gene Winfield custom, a standout in the Mercury class and not typical concours fare. Houck related that the 1951 convertible 'has been driven regularly for twenty years and has never been apart'.

    

Frank Rubino, noted collector of small and rare roadsters, had just completed the restoration of his Allard M-1. It had been a chore; 'every piece of wood was rotten; it was one of my biggest mistakes'. Observers were taken with its elegant green and cream paint and handsome green canvas Victoria top leaving Frank surprised and vindicated by its win of the Post War Unique and Limited Production class.

The Auto Nation Sponsors Award went to the Dr. Richard Workman's racey 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/C. 275 GTBs are relatively common; only twelve C's were built. Tom Hill, collection curator, explained some of its unique characteristics: 'the body was constructed with extremely thin lightweight aluminum; you can't lean on it without leaving a dent. Not a single panel is interchangeable with the GTB.'

Robert Jepson's 'swoopy'1938 Delahaye 135MS Coupe, a Joseph Figoni design shown previously at the 1938 Paris Auto Salon, was awarded Best Foreign Classic and Best of Show. Mr. Jepson, having won Best of Show two years ago with his Fatty Arbuckle Pierce Arrow, seemed a bit embarrassed by all the hoopla but allowed that he was thrilled with the locale, the quality of the field and the show's dedication to its charities; he'll be back.

Picking nits. As they were last year, the featured classes were placed on a knoll at the far end of the concours. Many of the largest and most impressive Lincolns were backed up against a fence little more than a door width apart. The cars were difficult to find and their features difficult to appreciate. Owners grumbled. And a formal request: more shade stations.

All else deserves plaudits. Judges commented on the depth of the classes, often finding many more than half the cars entered worthy of class wins Record crowds were handled. An amazing number of trophies were given in reasonable time slot shortening PM exposure to the Florida sun. And this writer deigns to give a 'Best of Shows' award to Boca. Over 10 Million Dollars has been raised over the course of the concours 12 years. Congratulations.

2018 Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance Award Winners

CLASS AWARDS

A- AMERICAN SPORTS, 1946-1960

Best in Class: 1960 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie, Tom DeBold- Longwood, FL

Excellence in Class: 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible, Larry Coe- Boca Raton, FL

A1- AMERICAN SPORTS, 1961-1975

Best in Class: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, Rick Benitez- Miami, FL

Excellence in Class: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, Dania & Robert Lopez- Miami, FL

B- AMERICAN EARLY THRU 1930

Best in Class: 1910 Thomas Flyer K670, James Grundy- Horsham, PA

Excellence in Class: 1913 Michigan R Touring Car, Kim & Stephen Bruno- Boca Raton, FL

B1A- AMERICAN EARLY, 1931-1942

Best in Class: 1932 Chrysler Imperial CH Coupe, Tina & William Sipko- Windber, PA

Excellence in Class: 1938 Cadillac LaSalle Convertible, Patti & Bill Spurling- Stuart, FL

B1B- AMERICAN CLASSICS, 1930-1941

Best in Class: 1930 Stutz MA, Mark Hyman- Saint Louis, MO

Excellence in Class: 1941 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special Sedan , Janice & Paul Phillips- Marietta, GA

B2- AMERICAN EARLY, 1946-1959

Best in Class: 1958 Cadillac 62 Series Convertible, Donald Ghareeb- Vestavia Hills, AL

Excellence in Class: 1956 Cadillac 5662 Convertible, Patti & Bill Spurling- Stuart, FL

C- AMERICAN LATE, 1960-1975

Best in Class: 1963 Studebaker Avanti R1, Augustino Capasso- Roseland, NJ

Excellence in Class: 1960 Cadillac 62 Convertible, Gene Grengs- Eau Claire, WI

E- AMERICAN PERFORMANCE & MUSCLE, 1960-1975

Best in Class: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Coupe, Ned Cohen- Hudson, FL

Excellence in Class: 1969 Ford Fairlane Cobra, Larry Slevin- Nokomis, FL

G- AUBURN, CORD, DUESENBERG

Best in Class: 1937 Cord Supercharged Phaeton, Michael Cobler – Campbell, CA

Excellence in Class: 1936 Cord 810 Westchester Sedan, John Campbell- Festus, MO

H- FOREIGN ELEGANCE PRE-WAR THRU 1942

Best in Class: 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer, Stephen Plaster- Lebanon, MO

Excellence in Class: 1932 Rolls-Royce Shooting Brake, Harry Benedict- Fort Lauderdale, FL

H1- FOREIGN ELEGANCE POST-WAR, 1946-1975

Best in Class: 1963 Bentley S3 Continental Coupe, Donna & Fred Kriz- Miami Beach, FL

Excellence in Class: 1950 Jaguar MK V Drop Head Coupe , Donald Gant- Fernandina Beach, FL

I- FOREIGN SPORTS PERFORMANCE THRU 1959

Best in Class- 1948 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS, Leo Schigiel- Miami Beach, FL

Excellence in Class: 1948 Healey Westland Roadster, Kim & Stephen Bruno- Boca Raton, FL

I1A- FOREIGN SPORTS FERRARI, 1960-1975

Best in Class: 1967 Ferrari 300 GTS Spyder, Dennis Nicotra- Fairfield, CT

Excellence in Class: 1970 Ferrari Dino Coupe, Glenn Simon- Palm Beach Gardens, FL

I1B- FOREIGN SPORTS PERFORMANCE OTHERS, 1960-1975

Best in Class: 1974 Porsche 911 2.7 Carrera, Leo Schigiel- Miami Beach, FL

Excellence in Class: 1963 Lancia Flaminia 2.5 3 C, Chris Lapinski- Lake Worth, FL

J- UNIQUE & LIMITED PRODUCTION CARS, 1914-1940

Best in Class: 1939 Delahaye 135MS Special Torpedo, Frances & Jeffrey Fisher- Palm Beach, FL

Excellence in Class: 1914 Saxon Model A Roadster, Tonda & Peter Masson- Lantana, FL

J1- UNIQUE & LIMITED PRODUCTION CARS, 1941-1965

Best in Class: 1948 Allard M1 Roadster, Frank Rubino- Pinecrest, FL

Excellence in Class: 1961 Auto Union DKW 1000 SP Roadster, Kevin John Newman- Fort Lauderdale, FL

K- LINCOLN PRE-WAR THRU 1942

Best in Class: 1938 Lincoln K Convertible Sedan, Adeline & Ralph Marano- Garwood, NJ

Excellence in Class: 1940 Lincoln Zephyr Convertible Coupe, Lawrence Tribble- Suffield, CT

K1- LINCOLN POST-WAR 1946 THRU 1975

Best in Class: 1956 Lincoln Premier Convertible, Warren Wubker- Orlando, FL

Excellence in Class: 1956 Lincoln Premiere Convertible, Patti & Bill Spurling- Stuart, FL

K2- LINCOLN CONTINENTAL THRU 1975

Best in Class: 1956 Continental Mark II Coupe, John Keese- York, PA

Excellence in Class: 1956 Continental Mark II Hard Top Coupe, Kenneth Alan Lewis- Bonita Springs, FL

K3- MERUCRY THRU 1975

Best in Class: 1954 Mercury XM-800 2 Door Sedan, Richard Driehaus Collection- Chicago, IL

Excellence in Class: 1955 Mercury Montclair Convertible, Simon White- Clermont, FL

L- PRESERVATION THRU 1975

Best in Class: 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible, Norman Wolgin- Boca Raton, FL

Excellence in Class: 1960 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, Robert Oatman- Juno Beach, FL

MAJOR AWARDS

Best Foreign Classic

1938 Delahaye 135MS Coupe, Robert Jepson- Savannah, GA

Best American Classic

1941 Lincoln Loewy Continental , Richard Driehaus Collection- Chicago, IL

Most Elegant Post-War Closed

1955 Studebaker President Coupe, Mark James- Lancaster, PA

Most Elegant Post-War Open

1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith DHC, Agata & Robert Matteucci- Jupiter, FL

Most Elegant Pre-War Closed

1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Limo, Robert & Paul Milhous- Deerfield Beach, FL

Most Elegant Pre-War Open

1928 Auburn 8-88 Speedster, Helen & Richard- Harding Beavercreek, OH

Essence of Design

1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport Coupe, Andy Starr- Springfield, VA

Rolling Sculpture

1954 Maserati A6GCS, Patricia& Larry Wilson- Jupiter, FL

Spirit of the Road

1920 Ford Model T Speedster, Karen & Joseph Minchelli- Cape May Court House, NJ

Timeless Elegance

1929 Cord L29 Cabriolet , Steve Wolf- Boca Raton, FL

People's Choice Award

1953 Fiat 1100/103 Cabriolet, Kim & Stephen Bruno- Boca Raton, FL

Chief Judge Award

1938 Lincoln K Convertible Sedan, Adeline & Ralph Marano- Garwood, NJ

Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County Award

1951 Hudson Hornet, Kristin & Thomas Zarrella- Gloucester, MA

Founders Award

1910 Thomas Flyer K670, James Grundy- Horsham, PA

Grand Marshal Award

1932 Auburn 8 100A Speedster, Judy & Mike Gaylor- Dade City, FL

Jay Leno's Garage Award

1960 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, Robert Oatman- Juno Beach, FL

Jay Leno's Garage Award – Motorcycle

1967 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLCH, Michael Dart- Coral Springs, FL

Tim Allen's Award

1954 Mercury XM-800 2 Door Sedan, Richard Driehaus Collection- Chicago, IL

Tim Allen Award – Motorcycle

1925 Moto Guzzi Sport 13, Leo Schigiel- Miami Beach, FL

Best Restored Debut Car

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe, Richard Workman- Windermere, FL

Impala Asset Management Award

1953 Fiat 1100/103 Cabriolet, Kim & Stephen Bruno- Boca Raton, FL

Impala Asset Management – Motorcycle

1948 Indian Chief, Wynn Grimet- Coral Springs, FL

Sponsors Choice Award- Auto Nation

1966 Ferrari 275GTB/C, Richard Workman- Windermere, FL

Sponsors Choice Award- Ed Morse Automotive Group

1949 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible, Dean Poll- Upper Brookville, NY

Sponsors Choice Award—Rick Case Automotive Group

1960 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie, Tom DeBold- Longwood, FL

HVA Award – National Automotive Heritage Award

1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster, Guy Lewis- Pinecrest, FL

HVA/FIVA Preservation Award

1972 Lamborghini Espada, Christopher Waldron- Sebastian, FL

Hagerty Youth Award

1951 Hudson Hornet, Kristin & Thomas Zarrella- Gloucester, MA

Mercedes-Benz Club Award

1937 Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet A, Stephen Plaster- Lebanon, MO

Best of Show–Car

1938 Delahaye 135MS Coupe, Robert Jepson- Savannah, GA

Best of Show—Motorcycle

1911 Indian Belt Drive Single, Tom Ewing- Naples, FL

Photo credit: Mark Moskowitz MD

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