A Score Of Wins For 2nd Year Atlanta Concours

October 3, 2017 by Atlanta Concours d'Elegance

1930 Packard 745 Sport Phaeton and 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Share in 'Best of Show' Honors

ATLANTA, GA., October 2, 2017 – While only in its second year, the Atlanta Concours d'Elegance is already establishing new traditions, an expanded entrant list and a host of significant collections arriving from as far as Seattle and Maine -- positioning Sunday's showing of nearly 180 vehicles at the Chateau Elan in play with many of the premiere concours events throughout the country. Best of show winners -- the American 'Best of Show' 1930 Packard 745 Sport Phaeton, owned by Charles and Rhonda Cofer and the European 'Best of Show' 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K, owned, restored and maintained by Evergreen Historic Automobiles, received prestigious honors and set the stage for the more than 30 total award winners to gain their famed moments of the weekend festivities.

According to Bill Wallet, co-founder of the Atlanta Concours d'Elegance, this year's show has not only expanded in size, but it's the quality of vehicles that are taking notice. 'Not only were our top award-winners collectors of multiple cars that had competed and been previously rewarded in renowned shows, but we also brought in many owners of significant cars that had yet to partake in a bonafide Concours before – and they walked away with class wins,' said Wallet. 'We're spreading the word that the restoration and classic car movement needs to continue to grow and by fostering additional worthy competitors on the show field, we're making an important impact.'

Valued at $4mm - $5mm, the European 'Best of Show' winner, was but one example of the respected entrants that recognized the Atlanta Concours as an up-and-coming show of distinction. Thirty-four-year-old curator Michael Rhodes, has the responsibility of taking care of 600 rare vehicles within the Missouri-based Evergreen Historic Automobiles collection, and believes the Atlanta show has opened new doors for a growing list of competitive opportunities within the classic car world. 'The 540K was Evergreen's first complete restoration to gain fame and recognition with a 3rd place class win at Pebble Beach in 2016 – and we didn't want to miss the opportunity of sharing its beauty and value among such fine selections as those partaking in this year's Atlanta event.'

The stunning 1930 Packard 745 Sport Phaeton, chosen as Atlanta's American 'Best of Show,' and valued at approximately $1.8mm, is part of the prestigious Cofer Collection from Tucker, GA – another award-winning group well known within the Concours world.

Wallet is proud to recognize both the provenance of these vehicle and the expanded interest in his growing show. 'This year we sought and achieved a presence from some of the best collections in the country, while providing our growing audience an education through panel discussions, presentations and esteemed speakers for private aficionados and car fans by Keith Martin, celebrity host of Velocity's 'What's My Car Worth' before a packed audience. The panel included industry leaders: Corky Coker, President of Coker Tire Co., the world's largest supplier of collector car tires and wheels; Melanie Pray, esteemed Judge and board member of the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center and Foundation; John Merritt, 16-year veteran of Merritt Classics, a restoration house and home of classic sports cars and sedans for private investors and collectors; and Jim Grundy, president and owner of The James A. Grundy Agency, a Horsham, PA collector car insurance business.

This year's Atlanta Concours d'Elegance provided award categories with more than 30 awards distributed, including the newly announced commemorative trophy in memory of Karen L Krix, wife of co-founder Harry Krix – who was an integral part of the formation of the Concours and a life-long lover of all things automotive. Chosen by Harrison and Jenn Krix, the award exemplifies her spirit and her love of cars and will be awarded annually in Karen's name.

Class Winners for the 2017 Atlanta Concours d'Elegance:

Brass Era Class One 1910 Oakland 24 Runabout (Ronald & Leeann Laird)

Brass Era Class Two 1905 Locomobile Model R (Evergreen)

American Production to 1941 1939 Cadillac Coupe (David Kantes)

American Production 1941-1967 1941 Cadillac 60 Special (Paul Phillips)

Special Packard Class to 1945 1930 Packard 745 SP Phaeton (Cofer Collection)

American Survivor to 1960 1955 Chevrolet Sedan (Millard Choate)

American Survivor 1960-1967 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint (Terry Tallant)

European Survivor to 1972 1947 Delahaye 135 (Ron Green)

American Performance to 1967 1968 Shelby 500 KR (Mike Rodgers)

Corvette C1 1953-1962 1954 Corvette C1 Convertible (Mark & Chris Wiley)

Corvette C2 1963-1967 1963 Corvette C2 Z06 Coupe (Kent Hussey)