The Elegance at Hershey is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. The show focuses on elegance, and the well-curated garden party attracts some of the finest creations that ever put rubber to the road. Since there are no featured marques, categories, themes, or celebrated anniversaries, it's always a mystery as to what vehicles or types of vehicles will be on display.
The event is held at the Hotel Hershey in the classically manicured gardens situated high atop the town of Hershey, PA. It features a breathtaking assortment of flowers and shrubs, and a stately collection of rare, signature trees. The location offered ample space for the gala themed night time party, kick-off cocktail party, an Afterglow party, and the Cannonball Run Seminar.
The festivities commenced with The Grand Ascent, a vintage hill climb exhibition in the European tradition, where drivers piloted some of the finest historic race cars up the historic back road to The Hotel Hershey.
Following the Grand Ascent on Saturday, The event reached a crescendo with the highlight of the weekend, The Elegance. Roughly 75 hand-selected vehicles, many of which were driven up the steep hill to the Hotel Hershey, rested amongst the botanical beauty providing visitors with unique experiences and enriching opportunities.
The list of Pre-War vehicles on the show field included 4 Bugatti's (a Type 55 and three Type 57 models), 4 Duesenbergs (two Model Js and two Model SJs), 7 Packards (1924 Singe Eight, 1929 640 Custom Eight, 1930 745 Deluxe Eight, 1933 1004 Super Eight, 1939 1705 Super Eight, and a 1941 Super 8 180), a Bentley 4 1/4 Liter, a Delage D8S, two Delahaye Type 135s, a Marmon Sixteen, and three Rolls-Royces (1921 Silver Ghost, 1932 20/25, and a 1933 Phantom II). Other marques included Auburn, Pierce-Arrow, Franklin, LaSalle, Cadillac, Buick, Hudson, Stutz, among others.
The Porsche 904 was making its post-restoration debut and the Mercedes-Benz 300d was having its first public showing since 1970. Concept cars included the American Motors AMX/3 Concept and the Chrysler d'Elegance Concept. Just a single Ferrari rested on the show field - a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Shooting Brake.
The winner of Best in Show was presented to the Rare Wheels Collection's 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante Coupe with coachwork by Gangloff. The car was originally ordered by a young French doctor who fought for the French resistance. The doctor was a child prodigy who entered medical school at 16, became a surgeon and helped organize the French Resistance during World War II. The Type 57S was the most sporting of all the Type 57 models, with its surbaisse (low) race-proven chassis and powerful 3.3-liter engine.
In the 1930's Bugatti manufactured high end cars and the 57S was the top of their line. They believed in transferring racing technologies to street cars to be enjoyed by their elite customers. The 57S sported a lowered center of gravity using dry sump lubrication. The 3.3 liter straight eight cylinder engine is supercharged and produces over 200 horsepower.
Along with showcasing some of the finest collector cars ever created, the event is also a major fundraiser which benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the AACA Library & Research Center and the AACA Museum. Since it began in 2010, the event has raised more than $1 million for its charities.
The event is held at the Hotel Hershey in the classically manicured gardens situated high atop the town of Hershey, PA. It features a breathtaking assortment of flowers and shrubs, and a stately collection of rare, signature trees. The location offered ample space for the gala themed night time party, kick-off cocktail party, an Afterglow party, and the Cannonball Run Seminar.
The festivities commenced with The Grand Ascent, a vintage hill climb exhibition in the European tradition, where drivers piloted some of the finest historic race cars up the historic back road to The Hotel Hershey.
Following the Grand Ascent on Saturday, The event reached a crescendo with the highlight of the weekend, The Elegance. Roughly 75 hand-selected vehicles, many of which were driven up the steep hill to the Hotel Hershey, rested amongst the botanical beauty providing visitors with unique experiences and enriching opportunities.
The list of Pre-War vehicles on the show field included 4 Bugatti's (a Type 55 and three Type 57 models), 4 Duesenbergs (two Model Js and two Model SJs), 7 Packards (1924 Singe Eight, 1929 640 Custom Eight, 1930 745 Deluxe Eight, 1933 1004 Super Eight, 1939 1705 Super Eight, and a 1941 Super 8 180), a Bentley 4 1/4 Liter, a Delage D8S, two Delahaye Type 135s, a Marmon Sixteen, and three Rolls-Royces (1921 Silver Ghost, 1932 20/25, and a 1933 Phantom II). Other marques included Auburn, Pierce-Arrow, Franklin, LaSalle, Cadillac, Buick, Hudson, Stutz, among others.
The Porsche 904 was making its post-restoration debut and the Mercedes-Benz 300d was having its first public showing since 1970. Concept cars included the American Motors AMX/3 Concept and the Chrysler d'Elegance Concept. Just a single Ferrari rested on the show field - a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Shooting Brake.
The winner of Best in Show was presented to the Rare Wheels Collection's 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante Coupe with coachwork by Gangloff. The car was originally ordered by a young French doctor who fought for the French resistance. The doctor was a child prodigy who entered medical school at 16, became a surgeon and helped organize the French Resistance during World War II. The Type 57S was the most sporting of all the Type 57 models, with its surbaisse (low) race-proven chassis and powerful 3.3-liter engine.
In the 1930's Bugatti manufactured high end cars and the 57S was the top of their line. They believed in transferring racing technologies to street cars to be enjoyed by their elite customers. The 57S sported a lowered center of gravity using dry sump lubrication. The 3.3 liter straight eight cylinder engine is supercharged and produces over 200 horsepower.
Along with showcasing some of the finest collector cars ever created, the event is also a major fundraiser which benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the AACA Library & Research Center and the AACA Museum. Since it began in 2010, the event has raised more than $1 million for its charities.
