2016 Pinehurst Concours to Feature Future Japanese Collectables Cars Among 12 Classes

December 3, 2015 by Pinehurst Concours

VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, N.C. (Dec. 3, 2015) – From its inception, the Pinehurst Concours has been a pioneer among vintage car showcases across the country -- from its implementation of a student judging program to a Saturday competition that now includes a popular post-awards concert by an iconic band.

Now, the fourth annual event at Pinehurst Resort on April 30 it will be the first in the nation to feature a class of Future Japanese Collectable cars among its 12 judged classes announced by Pinehurst Concours president Jay Howard.

'The Japanese cars are certainly becoming collectable and appeal to a younger demographics,' said Pinehurst Concours chief judge Nigel Matthews. 'That seems to be the direction the hobby is moving in since a lot of people have grown up with these Japanese cars. And nobody has really featured them in the United States, so once again Pinehurst will be breaking some new ground.'

Tickets to the 2016 Pinehurst Concours are now on sale online at www.pinehurstconcours.com at an introductory price of $30 per ticket, which includes entry into the post-awards concert by Motown legends The Commodores, a band which has recorded seven No. 1 hits over four decades. The 2015 Pinehurst Concours and concert by Three Dog Night drew in excess of 10,000 patrons.

Matthews said discerning collectors have already struck with some Japanese cars, reaping the rewards of the million-dollar-plus values of the Toyota 2000 GT, which not that long ago was a $125,000 car.

'There are some really amazing Japanese domestic market vehicles that never made it to the U.S.' Matthews said.

For instance, of the 35,804 Honda Coupe 9 and 7s built, only 1,058 escaped from Japan, Matthews said. The majority — 731 — went to Australia. He noted that the only recorded survivors are a total of nine Coupe 7s and six Coupe 9s.

In addition to the Japanese cars, the 2016 Pinehurst Concours will also highlight Pre-War French Curves and Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupes and Roadsters (1954-63) as featured marques among its 12 judged classes of vintage cars and motorcycles.

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'Those French vehicles are just beautiful art deco cars from the 1930s,' Matthews said. 'They just don't make cars like that anymore. They are rolling art, rolling sculptures.'

The 12 announced classes for the April 30 event include the following: Pre-War American (Open & Closed Until 1942); Post-War American (Open & Closed Until 1974); Pre-War European (Open & Closed Until 1942); Post-War European (Open & Closed Until 1974); Ferrari (Until 1975); Porsche (Air-Cooled Cars) Until 1988; Corvette (Until 1972); Pre-War French Curves; Future Japanese Collectables; Racing Cars; Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe & Roadster (1954-1963) and Indian Motorcycles.

'There really is something for everybody, young and old,' Matthews said. 'The Ferrari class will continue to be absolutely amazing with just multi-million dollar cars. That's where the collector car market seems to be right now. And the interest in Porsches is really strong as they are commanding skyrocketing values now.

'And there is always interest in the pre-war American classics -- that's just a part of American history and culture,' the chief judge added. 'What we've tried to do is capture all of the different eras and interest in automotive history with our 12 classes.'

More than 300 cars and motorcycles are expected on the fairways of Pinehurst Resort for the 2016 Pinehurst Concours.

'The quality of the field is definitely expanding as the event matures and the selections are more varied,' Howard said. 'And with the addition of the concert it is just makes for one heck of a great day out.'

The Pinehurst Concours Best in Show winners have included a 1919 bright purple Pierce-Arrow Model 66 A-4 Tourer (2015), a midnight blue 1931 Cadillac 452A (2014) and a rare 1938 Steyr 220 Glaser Roadster (2013).

'They are pretty amazing champions for a concours that is only heading into its fourth year,' Matthews said.