Award-Winning Car Collections Head To Atlanta Concours As Show Enters 3Rd Year Of Impressive Growth

July 24, 2018 by Atlanta Concours d'Elegance

Renowned Collections Range from Brass Era to Modern Day

ATLANTA, GA., July ­­24, 2018 – The third year is indeed the charm for the Atlanta Concours d'Elegance, with distinguished collections to suit every enthusiast – from the romanticism of rare pre-war vehicles to prominent collections that have made their historic markings from Pebble Beach to Amelia Island – all to be shown September 29th and 30th at Chateau Elan Winery and Resort in Braselton, GA. With nearly 180 cars expected on the field this year, the program has grown from a local area regional event to a nationally regarded concours with entries that include top class winners from shows nationwide.

According to Bill Wallet, CEO of the Atlanta Concours, this year's show heralds a nod to both heritage and innovation, creating a hybrid of automotive culture and all on one field. 'Technology is always relevant,' said Wallet. 'The origins behind cars are enormously intriguing – whether found on a rare aluminum body Graham Phaeton or those that have earned class winning status in renowned concours events – each holds a spot in automotive history.'

This year, famed collector Steve Plaster will be showcasing half a dozen unique vehicles from his Evergreen Historic Automobile Collection in Lebanon, MO, a house that holds more than 600 rare motorized gems. Entries of his for the Atlanta Concours range from a 1909 Washington Model A-1 Tourabout -- a 4-passenger surrey that is believed to be the last remaining Washington automobile in existence, to a 1937 DELAHAYE 135 MS Cabriolet, built by one of the French automobile industry's grandest coachbuilders, Henri Chapron.

Plaster's collection is overseen by McPherson College alum and Automotive Restoration School graduate Michael Rhodes, who's restoration craftsmanship aligns with his passion for curation – and he's chosen a group of cars to highlight that share in their own technological innovations -- entries include:

•1909 Washington Model A-1 Tourabout -- One of less than ten built, only four Brunn-bodied Convertible Coupes are left in the world. The Model 1245 incorporated some of the greatest Art Deco elements into its styling, from their headlights to their bumper to their long decorative hood vents. The 1245 was available from the factory in a range of 17 exterior colors and 10 different upholstery options and is powered by Pierce-Arrow's smooth-running, reliable V12 engine, which was designed by the company's chief engineer, Karl Wise. This engine drew in so much attention that it eventually became the engine that would power Seagrave fire engines up until 1981.

•1912 Benz 8/20 – When Germany began imposing a motor vehicle tax in 1906, Benz & Cie (Benz merged with Daimler in 1926 and formed Mercedes-Benz) responded by introducing a smaller 2.4-liter 10/18 HP car in 1908 that was just below the stipulated 10 PS taxation threshold. This model became very popular with Berlin's drivers and spurred the development of an even smaller car, the 6/14 PS of 1910. An intermediate-level car followed dubbed the 8/20 in 1912 and would remain in production until 1921. This tax-friendly automobile had a rather impressive top speed of about 40 mph, and laudes a 1950cc L-head four-cylinder engine unit berating through a Zenith carburetor and producing 20 horsepower (20 HP rated output and 8HP taxable output). Believed to have been part of a three-car group sent to Australia in 1913 to compete in a trans-Australian endurance race with Aussie sportsman Hugh McIntosh this particular 1912 Benz 8/20 Tourer, boasted coachwork by Thomson's Ply. Ltd.

•1929 Graham-Paige LeBaron Dual-Cowl Phaeton -- This one-off dual cowl Phaeton on the Second Series 837 chassis was commissioned by Joseph Graham specifically for the 1929 New York Auto Show. Designed for Graham's daughters Elinor and Virginia, legendary LeBaron created an aluminum-skinned body with sweeping front fenders, a radiator shell similar to a Hispano-Suiza, and was fitted with Grahams' new emblem, while a single spare tire was mounted at the rear aft of the leather-covered trunk. In 1936, the factory fitted the car with a centrifugal supercharger. After years in the famous Harrah's Automobile Collection comprehensive restoration was undertaken and unveiled at the 1986 Pebble Beach Concours De Elegance.

•1935 Pierce-Arrow 1245 Rumble-seat Convertible Coupe -- The 1245 Rumble-seat Convertible Coupe is one of the most desirable Pierce Arrows in existence. One of less than ten built, only four Brunn-bodied Convertible Coupes remain in the world. The Model 1245 incorporated some of the greatest Art Deco elements into its styling, from their headlights to their bumper to their long decorative hood vents. Pierce-Arrow catered to every demand and request, most of the vehicle was custom, including the carpets, luggage, trunks, and seats. The 1245 was available from the factory in a range of 17 exterior colors and 10 different upholstery options. It is powered by Pierce-Arrow's smooth-running, reliable V12 engine, which was designed by the company's chief engineer, Karl Wise.

•1937 DELAHAYE 135 MS Cabriolet -- Delahaye built its first automobile in 1894 and grew to become one of the most successful and innovative French luxury car manufacturers of the pre-war period. 1935 brought the first Delahaye of a new generation; the T135 Coupe Des Alpes. Delahaye improved on the formula the following year with the 6-litre, 120/130bhp T135MS, winning The Le Mans 24-Hour Race in 1937 and 1938. Delahaye had no in-house coachworks, so all its chassis were bodied by independent coachbuilders. This car was built by one of the French automobile industry's grandest coachbuilders, Henri Chapron, well known not only for impeccable style, but also for superior build quality. The 3-position Cabriolet style is sporty, yet elegant and practical. The car's two-tone livery is neatly accented by a silver beltline and lower fender panels with a dark blue canvas roof and a blue leather interior. During an extensive restoration before entering the U.S. the engine was upgraded to a post-war style triple carburetor and manifold setup, for added drivability and performance.