Written By James M Heaney

I first saw “Bernadette”, a stunning 1975 BMW 528 E12 in metallic brown with matching chrome and her alloy shoes sparkling at the European car showroom at Port Melbourne, Australia in the early nineties. My partner at the time told me not to touch her as she’d be too expensive to run. I did the opposite and bought her anyway. I was looking for an old Benz or something European and it had to be from the “old school” smell like leather, wood grain, classic shape, stately looks and of course the bonnet to open the reverse (how sensible) to conventional cars . Bernadette filled the bill. With her long bonnet and short backside (like all good German sports car should be) I fell for her wedge shape so James and Bernadette became an item. My partner also loved her.

In those days the 528 was wholly made at Stuttgart in Germany. The E12 started life in September 1972 as a 4 cylinder and replaced the 1500/200 series. Known as the “new class of cars”. The E12 came to Australia in 1974.

The E12 was designed by French stylist Paul Bracq who joined BMW after leaving Mercedes… the E12 was directly and wholly aimed at the 280 Benz (“First of Fives”). The 528 with its wedge shaped body must have seemed refreshing and youthful against the boxy Benz at that time.

When I finally brought her home Bernadette was my Sunday car, as I always had a run-a-round car, but also would drive her on week days to clients. We spent long weekend drives and picnics in the old girl she never missed a trick and always had a presence when parked.

She loves to eat the highways and feels at home traveling @140 K but hates the cold until warm. She tolerates stop start traffic and loves a bit of a drink with her 1 ton frame. She’s a tough old bird at the best and worst of times. Bernadette was always reliable and never let me down.

In 2003 I came back from being OS for six months. Bernie was being looked after by family members but she was not exercised. While driving merrily down the freeway with the music on a bright sunny day, windows down, I heard a noise. I look at the bonnet and saw steam coming from all directions. I then looked at the temp gauge and to my shock the temperature was on boiling. She coughed, spluttered and chocked. Bernadette died at 29 years old with the original motor.

It was a sad day as the mechanic driver told me the worst “you’ve cooked the engine.” As I was traveling behind her, I was watching her on the back of a truck in all of her classiness, she still looked beautiful even in death. Everybody said “it’s too expensive to get fixed and she’s old, parts are hard to find”, etc etc. The money I needed for her was a problem at the time as I’d just returned from OS, so she stayed at my friends for some months.

Everybody told me the same thing – get rid of her, even the mechanic told me it wasn’t worth it, you’re wasting your money to completely redo the engine from the ground up… so I did it anyway.

I was happy to do it and never regretted it. Bernadette was always a reliable car and besides she’s rare and no one has a car like her and that alone was enough.

Well then the family said “What a good car” the mechanic said “What a good car and a brilliant motor” and sung her praises. He became a fan, and everybody said the car would last another 29 years. Hmmm…

Somebody scratched her in Fitzroy, a trendy suburb of Melbourne, running a coin down all of her left hand panels – it was 1 cm deep. The only car in the street damaged, she was parked near hot sportier cars, Range rovers, but they wanted to damage the old girl. I also had the ash tray pinched and have never been able to get a replacement as it was upholstered with chrome around the edges not available in the country. Parts are getting harder to find.

Bernadette is rarer each year and often people would have a look at her and say nice old BM, or they don’t make em like that any more to that extent. The past BMs and Mercs are the true German classics and how I expect a European car should be (somewhat lost in recent years blending in this more of the same is best attitude) I have to agree I have no interest in the newer BMs and prefer other makes… It’s old BMs for me and the second one is going to be a 2 door …a rare one again and besides Bernadette needs a partner!

In 2010 Bernadette did get a partner, a 1986 E30 Baur in silver with a complimentary Navy blue roof affectionately called “little Bernie”. Both of them are the last of the retro style BMWs. I love the classic lines of these cars as well as all the ’70s BMWs. To me this was the golden time when BMW did classic with perfection. Symmetry and well balanced resulting in beautiful proportions. The E30 is an example of this beautiful simplicity.

Bernadette has been a bit of a celebrity over the years with features in Unique Cars, The Herald Sun and Classic and Sports Cars. She has also been on show twice at Doncaster BMW show casing the new 5 series. She has been a bridal car and has a blog dedicated to her.

She is fairly well known around the traps. You’d hardly see an old E12 in that condition with her white shoes on the street corner any time too soon.

Sadly, last year 2018, after sitting in the garage for 4 years due to circumstances, the water coolant had eaten her insides. She was being readied for a run to Bendigo to the 100 years of motoring run with the BMW Car Club of Victoria when she, with a cough and splatter and smoking like a steam train came to a stand still.

What to do? Should I part with the old girl after 23 years and call it a day and farm her excellent body and interior parts off? Nahhh… I’m into rarity… I’m not into what everyone has. She’ll be back.

It took about 8 months as I needed to find the right person, because I wouldn’t let just anyone touch my old E12. I had someone in mind but they were busy and I would have to wait. I stopped to see Steve Summit who now runs Northern BM. He convinced me he could do the job, I was impressed as he had been building racing motors since he was 15 and he and John looked after the old girl for some time with kid gloves and gave her the respect of an elderly lady.

Now she back roaring and ready to go, the old girl feels like she has rockets on her back posterior. Steve must have worked some of that race car magic through her DNA.

Hopefully she’ll be around for another 24 years, she turned 44 this September, so the story continues!

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HILLSBOROUGH, CA –The Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance  announced the appointment of lifelong collector car enthusiast Glen Egan as its new chairman, as well as the selection of BMW and Ford as featured marques for the 2021 festivities, which will be held July 18 at Crystal Springs Golf Course in Burlingame.

A passionate lifelong Italian sports car aficionado, Mr. Egan spent 10 years restoring a 1987 Fiat X/19. An avid motorsports enthusiast, he has participated in amateur motorcycle and kart racing and has been the sponsor of the go-kart championships at Sonoma Raceway for the last decade. Mr. Egan has worked managing logistics for the Concours since 2015.

In honoring the iconic BMW and Ford brands, the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance will present guests a slew of dedicated classes for the two marques, as well as special displays.

The Concours will feature over a dozen additional “Automobiles of Distinction” groupings, featuring American Pre- and Post-War, CCCA Approved Classics, American Muscle Cars, American Sporting Cars Through 1987, Vintage Motorcycles, two Ferrari classes, two imported sports car classes, Japanese cars, a preservation class, two Rolls-Royce and Bentley classes, vintage hit rods, Shelby GTs, station wagons, imported passenger and touring cars, vintage race cars and arcane and rare cars.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to celebrate our featured marques, with incredible displays including everything from the iconic BMW M1 to a vividly futuristic Ford Thunderbird concept car,” said Mr. Egan. “Since last year’s Concours was cancelled due to the pandemic, we’re eagerly looking forward to the kick-off gathering, Saturday road tour and the Concours on Sunday.”

Founded in 1956, the Concours presents exceptionally rare automobiles spanning virtually every genre and marque, from hot rods and muscle cars to sports cars, motorcycles and elegant classic luxury models in a magnificent setting on the 18^th fairway of the Crystal Springs Golf Course.

The Concours will conclude a memorable weekend of festivities that start on Friday with a kick-off party featuring 40 vintage and classic cars on display in a historic building in Burlingame. On Saturday, the annual Hillsborough Tour d’Elegance road rally will traverse the Bay Area’s most stunning back roads and scenic vistas led by police escort finishing at a private estate for lunch. Tickets for all three events can be purchased via: Tickets | Concours (hillsboroughconcours.org)

Partnering with the Town of Hillsborough, The Concours event raises proceeds for Ability Path, The Guardsmen and the Hillsborough Schools Foundation.

About the Hillsborough Concours d’ Elegance

The Hillsborough Concours d’ Elegance has built and maintained a proud tradition of honoring and celebrating excellence in automotive design and engineering. The passion of the Concours leadership and volunteers, pride of its entrants, and devotion of its attendees has earned Hillsborough the proud record as the longest continually running Concours in the world.

The Hillsborough Concours offers a forum for passionate vintage car owners to showcase their prized vehicles, and to compete for respect and recognition for their commitment to preserving automotive authenticity. The Concours also aims to cultivate future generations of car enthusiasts by providing privileged access to some of the world’s most celebrated automobiles and by serving as a channel for inspiring and informative automotive knowledge and lore.

For more information, please visit www.HillsboroughConcours.com.

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BURLINGAME, CA – Dozens of rare vintage cars have just been confirmed for display on the 18th fairway of the Crystal Springs Golf Course on July 21, at the 64th annual Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance.

Representing virtually every collector car era and genre, this year’s Concours will be highlighted by showings of some of the world’s most priceless vehicles. Newest entries include:

• 1931 Chrysler CG Imperial
• 1937 Packard Super Eight 1500 Touring Sedan
• 1940 BMW 335 Cabriolet
• 1949 Ferrari 166 Inter Coupe 
• 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic
• 1968 Ferrari 330GTC
• 1970 TRC Ti 22 MkII

“Each year, our goal is to present show-goers with a selection of vehicles that they would rarely see, even at other high-profile luxury events,” said Concours Chairman Richard Kelaita. “These newly added collector cars represent just a small sample of the 200 rare classics that we’ll have on display. From American classics to the finest from Europe, this year’s Concours will truly be exceptional.”

In recognition of the German brand’s extraordinary contributions to sportscar design and precision engineering, the Concours has selected Porsche as its featured marque for 2019. Attendees – from Porschefiles to casual enthusiasts – will be treated to a stunning collection showcased by the internationally acclaimed 917K which took the checkered flag at the 24 Hours of LeMans and the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1970 and 1971.

The Concours caps a memorable weekend of festivities that start with the “Concours Kick-Off Party” held at an exclusive, private vintage car club on Friday night July 19th. Guest speaker Bruce Canepa will bring his iconic 917K in honor of the event.

Early the next morning, the Hillsborough Tour d’Elegance launches under police escort on a 70-mile rally along the Bay Area’s most stunning back roads and scenic vistas, culminating with a catered luncheon at a private Hillsborough estate. 

A total of 24 judged classes of rare sports and luxury cars will be on display at the Concours, all vying for the coveted “Best of Show” award, as chosen by a panel of esteemed experts from the international collector car world.

To purchase tickets for the Tour d’Elegance on July 20th or the 64th annual Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance, please visit: www.Hillsboroughconcours.org.

The event raises proceeds for Autism Speaks, The Guardsmen, Gatepath and the Hillsborough Schools Foundation.

Event title sponsors include Franklin Templeton Investments and Fiduciary Trust International. Premier sponsors are Kerns Fine Jewelry, The Academy of Art University, and Sanzaru Games Karting Championships.

INFORMATION ON FEATURED CLASSICS

1931 Chrysler CG Imperial – Owners: Aaron & Valerie Weiss, San Marino ~ CA

The CG Imperial was Chrysler’s answer to the luxury automobile market dominated by Packard, Cadillac and Duesenberg. The body was designed by LeBaron, at the time owned by Thomas Hibbard and Ray Dietrich. Al Leamy, designer of the Cord L-29 styled the Imperial and thus the resemblance between the two automobiles. Like the L29, the CG is long and low, featuring gracefully swept fenders and a V-shaped radiator. LeBaron improved the design with a longer hood, swept back grille and a more elegant bodyside treatment. Many consider the CG Imperial Dual Cowl Phaeton among the finest, best looking and best driving cars of the era. At the time it was not considered as desirable as the more glamorous V12 and V16 engines offered by other manufactures, although the 125 hp, 384 c.i.d. flathead V8 engine offered competitive performance. It is equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission that enabled a top speed of 96 mph. The Great Depression dampened sales and just 339 custom and semi-custom CG’s were made; only 85 were Dual Cowl Phaetons. This example was awarded 1st in Class at Pebble Beach (2015), 1st in class at Palos Verdes (2015), 1st in Class and Best in Show at CCCA Grand Classic Rancho Santa Fe (2016), and 1st Place (100 Point), 1st in Class and Most Elegant Pre-War Car at La Jolla (2016).

1937 Packard Super Eight 1500 Touring Sedan – Owners: George & Eddie Beck, Concord ~ CA

The Packard Motor Company built its reputation by making cars that were highly refined, fitted with luxurious coachwork and powered by proven engineering. The 1500 Super Eight Touring Sedan is one of the most elegant and desirable body styles. Fewer than 125 remain on the road. The current owner purchased it in 1968 and restored it to win 1st in Class and Best of Show – Pre-WWII at The Packard Club National Meet (2003). It has won numerous other awards including Hillsborough Concours 1st in Class (2007, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018) as well as Most Elegant Pre-WWII Closed Award (2009,2016, 2017); Palo Alto Concours 1st In Class (2006, 2008, 2010, 2013), Most Elegant Closed (2007); Niello Concours 1st in Class-Packard Closed (2014), Ironstone Concours Best in Class (2008, 2015); Danville Concours Best in Class American Pre-WWII (2013, 2016 and Best of Show 2016); Presidio of San Francisco Concours Best of Class (2009);Classic Car Club of America Michigan Grand Classic First Primary Production 1937-39 (2005);San Marino Motor Classic SoCal CCCA; Grand Classic First Senior Production 1937-39 (2011).

1940 BMW 335 Cabriolet – Owner: Karra L Canum, San Jose ~ CA

The Versailles Treaty prevented Bayerische Motoren Werke from building aircraft engines, its original business, so in the 1920s it began making motorcycles and then cars. By the end of the 1930s it began to challenge Daimler Benz in the high-end market. The 335, designed by Fritz Fiedler, is the most powerful and luxurious BMW of the pre-war period. Production began shortly before WWII began and continued into 1940. With the advent of war, owners were required to find their own tires. The car is powered by a 90 hp, 3485 cc overhead valve inline 6-cylinder engine equipped with BMW’s first fully synchromesh 4-speed manual transmission.

Coachbuilder Karosseriebau Autenrieth made six 4-door cabriolet bodies for the 335 of which only 3 are known to survive. This example (100319), with its original chassis and body, was brought to the US in 1947 by an Army captain and went through numerous owners. The car was meticulously restored in Germany from 2010-13 and is a multiple concours award winner, including a class win at Pebble Beach (2016). The current owner, an avid BMW collector, was finally able to acquire it in 2018.

1949 Ferrari 166 Inter Coupe – Owner: Raffi Najjarian, Brisbane ~ CA 

Ferrari’s first appearance at an automobile show was In Turin in 1948 where it unveiled its 166 Inter coupe. In production from 1948-51 there were 38 Inters produced in various body styles created by various coach builders. The Inter is a coupé and the first road-going produced in any real numbers. Designed by Carrozzeria Touring’s styling chief, Carlo Felice Bianchi Anderloni, Touring used its patented Superleggera system for the body’s construction. It is powered by a Columbo-designed 110 hp, 1995 cc V12 engine equipped with a single Weber carburetor and a 5-speed manual transmission. This example is the 8th Ferrari road car built and the second to receive a Touring body. The matching serial numbers 015-S indicate that it is only one of a few given the S or Sport designation. It was first shown at the 1949 Geneva Motor show.

1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic – Owner: Marc Behaegel, Brisbane ~ CA 

In 1948, Fiat began work on a new V6 for a newly planned American-style touring sedan. The sedan never materialized but the engine morphed into an exceptional light alloy overhead valve V8 designed to power a luxury grand touring sports car. Displacing just 1996 cc and producing 110 hp the Tipo 104 motor features an unusual 70° architecture and incorporates racing components such as a finned aluminum sump, forged crankshaft, polished intakes and ports and tubular stainless-steel exhaust manifolds. Thinking Ford had trademarked “V8,” Fiat dubbed it the “Otto Vu” (8V). To maintain quality control, chassis fabrication was done by Siata, Fiat’s in-house competition and customization department. Completed chassis were sent to a variety of Carrozzerie for bespoke bodies. This example is one of just 15 Supersonics by Carrozzerie Ghia. The first owner was Lou J. Fageol, whose “Fageol Style” incorporated blade bumpers. In its current form, this Ghia Supersonic was awarded 1st-in-Class at Pebble Beach in 1955. The current owner acquired it in 2015 after the completion of an exhaustive 8-year restoration.

1968 Ferrari 330GTC – Owner: The Ely Family, Palo Alto ~ CA

First shown at the March 1966 Geneva auto show, the 330 GTC (Gran Turismo Coupe) was in production from 1966-68. Only 600 were built. It is powered by a forward-mounted 300 hp, 3967 cc V12 engine equipped with a 5-speed rear transaxle and 4-wheel disc brakes. New, it was capable of reaching 150 mph and doing 0-60 in 7 seconds. Pininfarina’s elegant bodywork is inspired by the 500 Superfast at the front and the 275 GTS at the rear. This example was originally sold through Hollywood Sports Cars to Edmund Euler of Garden Grove CA in 1969. In 1995 it was acquired by Richard Calhoun, a John Deere heir, who succumbed to injuries sustained racing a Porsche at Lime Rock in 1998. It was purchased from Calhoun’s widow by Richard Nailling of Atlanta in 2000, who sold it to David Kelley, of Woodside in 2003 who owned it until 2017. The current owner acquired it in 2018. This is a driver’s car.

1970 TRC Ti 22 MkII – Owner: Robert Lee, Sebastopol ~ CA

Peter Bryant, a Cockney racing mechanic with F1, Indy and Can-Am experience, built two “Titanium” Can-Am cars the Ti 22 MkI and MkII (so named because they used Titanium instead of steel for the bulkheads, suspension and subframe). These cars challenged McLaren domination in Can-Am with stiff lightweight construction and innovative aerodynamics. The Autocoast Ti 22 MkI was built in 1969 and showed great promise. But in 1970, the Ti 22 MkI crashed at St. Jovite and Autocoast ended its involvement. Peter formed TRC to build the 1970 TRC Ti 22 MkII in which Jackie Oliver finished second in its first two outings at Laguna Seca and Riverside, along the way setting the fastest race laps. The original MkII was destroyed in 1973. Bob Lee obtained the rights to the MkII from the last owner and with his team recreated an exact copy of the car from original drawings and photos.

About Hillsborough Concours d’ Elegance

For 64 consecutive years, The Hillsborough Concours d’ Elegance has built and maintained a proud tradition of honoring and celebrating excellence in automotive design and engineering. The passion of the Concours leadership and volunteers, pride of its entrants, and devotion of its attendees has earned Hillsborough the proud recordas the longest continually running Concours in the world. The Hillsborough Concours offers a forum for passionate vintage car owners toshowcase their prized vehicles, and to compete for respect and recognition for their commitment to preserving automotive authenticity. The Concours also aims to cultivatefuture generations of car enthusiasts by providing privileged access to some of the world’s most celebrated automobiles and by serving as channel for inspiring and informative automotive knowledge and lore.

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New York – Bonhams is proud to announce that in April it will have the privilege of auctioning the renowned Tupelo Automobile Museum Collection.

Built by TV and telecommunications pioneer, Frank K. Spain, the famed Mississippi collection comprises more than 160 automobiles from every decade of motoring, beginning from the 1890s through the 1990s. Highlighted by major American classics, such as a 1948 Tucker that was one of the original Indianapolis test cars and a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Sedan, prestigious British and European marques are also represented, such as Bentley and Lagonda, and Hispano-Suiza and Talbot-Lago, to name a few.

With a lifelong passion for automobiles, Spain began building his extensive collection from the early 1970s until his passing in 2006. Predating the modern era of the internet, his searches were done the old-fashioned way, following-up on tips, responding to obscure advertisements in newspapers, and attending local, national and international events, including the famed Harrah Collection sales. 

Says Rupert Banner, Bonhams Vice President of Motoring, “The collection is a cornucopia of wonderful machines, telling the story of the development of the automobile and charting the various ways in which manufacturers pioneered self-propelled vehicles. The scale, breadth and presentation of Spain’s museum is just extremely impressive.” 

With so many rare, original and pioneering vehicles, the collection is already internationally renowned. To give some idea of the degree to which the history of the automobile is covered, represented marques include: Allard, Alvis, AMC, Amphicar, Apperson, Aston Martin, Auburn, Benz, BMW, Bricklin, Brush, Buick, Cadillac, Cartercar, Chalmers, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroën, Cord, Delaunay-Belleville, Desoto, Detroit Electric, De Lorean, Dodge, Firestone, Ford, Franklin, Gardner, Glide, Graham, Hupmobile, International, Jaguar, Jensen, Kaiser, La Salle, Leslie, Lozier, Marmon, Martin, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Messerschmitt, MG, Minerva, Mitchell, Morgan, Nash, Oldsmobile, Opel, Owen Magnetic, Packard, Paterson, Peerless, Pierce-Arrow, Plymouth, Pontiac, Porsche, Queen, REO, Rolls-Royce, Saxon, Sears, Stanley, Studebaker, Stutz, Sunbeam, Talbot-Lago, Toyota, Triton, Trumbull, Triumph, Tucker, Volkswagen, Westcott, White and Winton.

And with Tupelo being the birthplace of Elvis Presley, there’s a 1976 Lincoln Continental Mk IV purchased by Elvis, complete with a copy of the check Elvis wrote and his famous “TCB” (Taking Care of Business) logo etched into the side windows. Additionally, the extensive collection of motoring signs decorating the museum walls will also be sold.

Bonhams will be taking care of business on April 26th and 27th, when the doors of the Tupelo Automobile Museum will open for one last time, with previewing taking place on April 25th. 

Jane Spain, Frank’s wife and partner in their car collecting journey, said, “For more than a decade it has been the greatest pleasure to honor my husband and to see people come to his home town to appreciate the collection he enjoyed building. Ultimately, I feel that the greatest legacy of his passion for engineering, design and the motorcar is for them to be shared with other collectors and for that reason I’ve made the difficult decision to part with this collection. In selling the group, the proceeds will go to a charitable educational foundation. I hope that others will enjoy acquiring and owning them as much as he did.”

More information about this historic sale will be posted in the coming weeks at Bonhams.com/Tupelo.

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HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing automotive and motorsports enthusiast events, will recognize significant anniversaries for two of its Classic Level Sponsors. BMW and Porsche, the event’s two largest and longest automotive sponsors, will continue the celebration of major milestones with the visitors at the Hilton Head Island Concours, Oct. 26 – Nov. 4, 2018.

BMW is celebrating both 50 years of the BMW 2002, the “little BMW that changed everything,” according to Scott Dishman, Executive Director of the BMW Car Club of America Foundation, and 40 years of the BMW M-1. As part of the celebration, several of the vehicles currently on display in the Icon exhibit at the BMW Car Club of America Foundation’s headquarters in Greer, South Carolina, will be judged as part of the Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, November 4. In addition, the BMW Classic Car Club of America and the Sandlapper Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America will be on the field with over 20 cars at Saturday’s (Nov. 3) Car Club Showcase, all at the Port Royal Golf Club on Hilton Head Island.

Porsche has been celebrating 70 years of the iconic high-performance sportscars since June 8th (the day, 70 years ago, that the first 356, “No. 1”, was registered for road use) and the celebration will continue through the events on Hilton Head Island this fall. Sunday’s Concours (Nov. 4) will feature an anniversary class specifically for Porsche and the Porsche Club of America – Coastal Empire Region will be on the show field at Saturday’s (Nov. 3) Car Club Showcase.

“We are excited to showcase the extraordinary accomplishments of two of our biggest supporters. Any business would be thrilled to be celebrating a 40, 50 or 70-year anniversary. But this is just a stepping stone for these brands. BMW and Porsche are automotive legends that will be here for many more years to come. We’re excited to see what new models each manufacturer showcases this year,” said Carolyn Vanagel, the Hilton Head Island Concours’ president.

Some of the highlights scheduled to show at this year’s event as a part of the anniversary celebration are:

1970 BMW 2002ti owned by Dirk and Alexandra de Groen of Coral Gables, FL

1972 BMW 2002 Targa owned by Lothar Schuettler of Darnestown, MD

1970 Porsche 911T owned by Richard Papy of Savannah, GA

1970 Porsche 914-6 owned by Kevin Meany of Hilton Head Island, SC

1979 BMW M-1 from the Bobby Rahal Collection of Joliet, IL

1980 BWM M-1 owned by Scott and Fran Hughes of Sunset, SC

Tickets for the 2018 Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival are now on sale at www.HHIConcours.com. For more information, visit the official Hilton Head Island Concours website at www.HHIConcours.com.

ABOUT THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE & MOTORING FESTIVAL:
The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance will celebrate its 17th year in the fall of 2018. The Festival kicks off with the Savannah Speed Classic, October 26 – 28, on the Grand Prize of America road course situated on the property of The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia. The festivities continue on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, November 2 – 4, at the Port Royal Golf Club, where the Concours d’Elegance (Nov. 4) takes center stage. Motoring Festival Partners for the 2018 Festival include the Port Royal Golf Club, The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, BMW, Porsche, Volvo, Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems, Reliable Carriers, Inc., Hargray, the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Visit Savannah.
For more information, visit www.HHIConcours.comonline.

*Photos courtesy of Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance

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The Saratoga Automobile Museum invites you to the 23rd Greenwich Concours d’Elegance Bus Trip on Sunday, June 3, 2018. 

2018 will be a celebration of Briggs Cunningham at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance with a special display of Cunningham production cars and team race cars. As a special tribute, they will have all of the Cunningham cars displayed along the waterfront on Sunday.

On Sunday, a special display of Jaguars, with a focus on the prewar SS Cars, prewar MGs, and competition motorcycles will be shown. Bonhams has been selected by the estate of Carroll Shelby to offer for sale two dozen cars from the personal collection of the late racer and designer. The Bonhams auction begins at noon on Sunday and requires a separate admission – or you can watch through the open side of the tent.

Over the concours weekend David Hobbs will be signing his memoir, Hobbo, in the Road & Track tent. Wayne Carini will be filming an episode of Chasing Classic Cars and hosting a presentation of special cars on the field.

Surrounding the show field will be displays of new cars, including BMW, Cadillac, Lincoln, Tesla, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Karma and Miller Motorcars – with Ferrari, Bugatti, Pagani, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, McLaren, Bentley and Maserati. There are even opportunities to test drive some of these amazing new vehicles. We will also have incredible yachts displayed at the Delamar Hotel docks.

Bust Trip Information:

• Leave the Saratoga Automobile Museum at 7 a.m. and arrive in Greenwich around 10 a.m.
• Leave Greenwich at 4 p.m. and arrive at the Saratoga Automobile Museum around 7 p.m.
• This trip is open to all Saratoga Automobile Museum Members and the general public.
• General Admission* and Transportation: $125.00 per person
• *General Admission includes entry into the Concours only
• Click here to register online

*Bonhams Auction tickets can be purchased on site day of.

Saratoga Automobile Museum | 518.587.1935 | E-mail | Website

110 Ave of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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TACOMA, Wash. – LeMay – America’s Car Museum (ACM) launched a crowdfunding campaign to help bring the BMW Car Club of America Foundation’s “Heroes of Bavaria – 75 Years of BMW Motorsports” collection to the Museum on May 12. The 17 iconic race cars in the display will celebrate and detail BMW’s storied motorsports legacy. Those who donate to ACM’s crowdfunding effort will be rewarded with opportunities to extend their experience beyond what’s offered by typical automotive museums.

Crowdfunding backers will enjoy benefits including passes to the exhibit’s opening celebration, limited edition posters and books, private tours of the ACM collection and the ability to “adopt-a-winner.” One lucky individual can also purchase an exclusive one-day experience at a BMW performance driving school, where they will be able to learn about the theory, physics and mechanics of performance driving.

“As proven by the extraordinary collection of race cars within Heroes of Bavaria exhibit, BMW rightfully earns the title of the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine.’ Their vehicles have been tried-and-tested on race tracks for the last 75 years,” said America’s Automotive Trust CEO Adam Langsbard. “We’re thrilled to be the first to display this unrivalled collection on the West Coast and share BMW’s many motorsports accomplishments with the hundreds of thousands guests who visit ACM each year.”

The Bavarian-themed grand opening celebration at ACMoccurs the evening of May 12.

As part of the festivities, ACM Master Collector Peter Gleason will moderate a live discussion with notable BMW figures including:

• Bill Auberlen, the winningest BMW factory race car driver in history
• Erik Wensberg, longtime motorsport and M Brand Manager for BMW of North America
• Tom Plucinsky, BMW Group Product and Technology Department Head

Tickets to the opening night include member discounts and are available at https://www.americascarmuseum.org/event/bmw-heroes-bavaria-exhibit-grand-opening-celebration/. A free commemorative poster will be given to the first 150 people through the door.

For those who cannot make the evening opening, ACM Curator of Exhibitry Scot Keller will be leading an exclusive early entry Curator Talk & Tour on the morning of May 13, where he will delve into BMW’s history and provide expert insight to the remarkable vehicles on display.

“The Heroes of Bavaria exhibit celebrates the history of BMW racing by featuring noteworthy race cars beginning with the infamous 328,” said Keller. “The two-liter 328 – arguably one of the most successful sports cars of the 1930s – is just one of example of BMW’s motoring legacy, having achieved a class win in the celebrated Mille Miglia in 1938 and an overall victory in 1940.”

Other notable vehicles will include the very first 1961 700 RS, a 1972 3.0 CSL Groupe 2 Rally Car – the only one of its kind – and a 2000 Williams Formula F1 driven by Ralf Schumacher in eight total races, achieving three podium finishes.

The full collection, which rounds out the 17 total vehicles will also include:

1. 1965 BMW 1800 TI/SA
2. 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL Group 4 IMSA
3. 1976 LeMans Posey BMW 3.5 CS
4. 1977 BMW E21 320 Turbo
5. 1981 March-BMW 812 F2
6. 1981 March-BMW M1/C
7. 1987 BMW E30 M3
8. 1992 BMW E36 M3 GTS-3
9. 1994 BMW E34 M5
10. 1994 BMW E36 318i
11. 2011 BMW E92 M3 GT
12. 2014 BMW E89 Z4 GTLM
13. 2016 BMW F13 M6 GTLM

To donate to the “Bring the BMW Heroes of Bavaria to ACM” crowdfunding campaign, please visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bring-the-bmw-heroes-of-bavaria-to-acm-cars#/.

For more information on Heroes of Bavaria opening celebrations, go to americascarmuseum.org.

About LeMay – America’s Car Museum (americascarmuseum.org)

America’s Car Museum (ACM), an entity of America’s Automotive Trust, is an international destination for families and auto enthusiasts to celebrate America’s love affair with the automobile and learn how it shaped our society. Based in Tacoma, Wash., the stunning 165,000-sq.-ft. facility has been recognized as one of MSN’s 10 Best Automotive Museums worldwide, USA Today’s 10 Best Museums in Seattle and KING5’s Best Museum in Western Washington. ACM serves as an educational center for students of all ages, features 12 rotating exhibits and hosts AAT’s annual Signature Events. For more information, visit americascarmuseum.org.

To purchase tickets or become an ACM member: Click Here

About America’s Automotive Trust

America’s Automotive Trust (AAT), headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, is a not-for-profit corporation that seeks to secure America’s automotive heritage and to transfer the skills and knowledge necessary for the future of collector vehicles and the enthusiast community for generations to come. AAT is made up of four founding entities: LeMay – America’s Car Museum, the RPM Foundation, Club Auto and the Concours Club. For more information on AAT, visit americasautomotivetrust.org.

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New Canaan, Conn.- “Bellissima! Bella Macchina!” will be exclaimed as Italian marques take the spotlight at this year’s Caffeine & Carburetors Powered by Bankwell season opener on April 22, 2018 in New Canaan, Conn. Beauty, style and horsepower will line the “Strada Italiana” celebration with such exotics as Alfa Romeo, Bizzarrini, Cisitalia, Ferrari, Fiat, Iso Grifo, Lamborghini, Lancia, Maserati, Moretti and Pagani along with compatriot motorcycles strutting into town for the Best of Italy on Elm.

Innovation is packed into the 1951 Lancia Aurelia B10 Berlina promised by Santo Spadaro. This first series Aurelia sports the world’s first production V6 engine and standard radial tires on its four-door, pillar-less saloon body. Santo’s rare 1 of 199 1958 Alfa Giulietta Sprint Veloce VSCCA race car confortavole will join the show, having seen street as well as successful vintage race action at Watkins Glen, Lime Rock Park, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in Schenley Park, among others.

Frank Spadaro, Santo’s brother and co-owner of Domenick’s European Car Repair, will bring the stunning 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 that has been family-owned since 1976. The car still dons its original Blu Sera paint and remains in unrestored condition since Frank, Santo and father Domenick searched it out to its resting place under an olive tree in Messina, Sicily.

Motorcycles will also star at the Caffeine & Carburetors festival of Italian machines. A rare 1952 Moto Guzzi Falcone Sport will be among those brought by Buzz Kanter, renowned collector, racer and American Ironmagazine Editor-in-Chief and Publisher. Falcone production was very limited with less than 2,000 made between 1950-1967. Only a few hundred were the Sport high-performance model, featuring higher compression pistons, larger cam and carburetor, and more expensive shouldered alloy wheels. This particular bike was owned and restored by famed motorcycle historian, author and restoration expert Stephen Wright, ranking as one of his favorite personal street bikes.

Caffeine & Carburetors is held in New Canaan, Conn., four times a year: twice on Downtown’s Pine and Elm Streets and twice at the Town’s Waveny Park. 2018 will also bring Munich Fest: The Ultimate BMW Gathering on June 17 at Waveny Park; the All-Original Sole Survivors Show of barn finds and family-legacy cars on September 16 on Pine and Elm Streets; and Gatsby at Waveny: ‘20s and ‘30s Grand Classics on October 21 at Waveny Park.

Exotic and rare, one-off and classic—stellar cars and motorcycles and their collectors flock to Caffeine & Carburetors for Sunday morning coffee, conversation and camaraderie. A perennial mainstay on the calendars of motoring enthusiasts, the four annual events each draw upwards of 1,500 vehicles and 5,000 visitors to this quiet, affluent New York City suburb.

Arnolt-Bristol, Austin-Healey, Aston Martin, BMW, Bugatti, Jaguar, MG, Morgan, Porsche and Triumph as well as Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford and Pontiac will be counted as additional automotive notables neighbored by equally unique vintage trucks and two-wheeled stars.

Founded in 2008 by Doug Zumbach, Peter Bush and Todd Brown based on Zumbach’s similar 1995 program, Caffeine & Carburetors sparked the ubiquitous proliferation of similar shows. Zumbach is often approached for guidance by local and nationwide organizers setting up their own events modeled on the C&C concept. The booming success of C&C necessitated its expansion from its Downtown New Canaan, Conn., Pine Street home base of Zumbach’s Gourmet Coffee to adjacent streets and parking lots. Two shows each year are hosted at the Town’s 250-acre Waveny Park.

Caffeine & Carburetors is grateful to its sponsors: Bankwell; Blackbridge Motors; Elm Restaurant, New Canaan, CT; Jaguar Darien; Land Rover Darien; Meccanic Shop of North Salem, NY; Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich and Penske Automotive CT.

TIME: 8-11am

PLACE: Pine and Elm Streets, New Canaan, Conn.

INFO:www.caffeineandcarburetors.com

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GREENWICH, Conn., PRNewswire — The Greenwich Concours d’Elegance hosts its annual Concours Americana on Saturday, June 4th and Concours International on Sunday, June 5th, 10am-5pm both days, at the Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, 100 Arch Street, Greenwich, CT. More than 100 exceptional automobiles and motorcycles spanning more than 100 years will grace the show field each day.

Concours Americana on Saturday will mark the 50th anniversary of Ford’s 1966 victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a circle of Ford performance cars; James Glickenhaus’ 1967 Ford GT40 Mk IV that Mark Donohue and Bruce McLaren steered to fourth place at Le Mans that year headlines the group.

Saturday’s show will also highlight Brass Era cars, prewar classics, rare muscle cars, incredible Corvettes, fabulous 1950s cars and early Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

BMW’s 100th anniversary will be celebrated at Sunday’s Concours International with a display of spectacular historic examples, including a rare 1937 BMW 328 MM Bügelfalte. Stunning and fast, this high-performance roadster competed at such venues as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Mille Miglia.

Ferraris starring on Sunday include a 1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet, 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning 1961 Ferrari 250 TRi/61 Spider, 1958 Ferrari 180 Testa Rossa Pontoon-Fender Children’s Car, 1949 Ferrari 166S Coupe and 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France Coupe fresh from receiving a platinum award at this year’s Cavallino Classic.

“Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” was the motivation for the production of homologation specials, street-legal racecars sold in limited quantities by manufacturers to qualify for competition; significant examples, such as a 1975 Lancia Stratos Coupe, 1980 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS Clubsport, 1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution and 1991 Mercedes-Benz 190 Evo2 Sedan will also power Sunday’s lineup.

Bonhams will host its Greenwich Concours Auction on Sunday, June 5th, 12:00pm. Viewings are on Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 9am-12:00pm. A Concours ticket and purchase of a Bonhams sale catalog are required for admission to the Sunday auction.

The automobile sponsors pavilions’ will surround the concours field, providing a chance to look over the latest high-end cars with many offering ride-and-drive opportunities leaving from the concours site. A display of luxurious yachts will line the docks.

The Greenwich Concours supports, AmeriCares, the international relief organization. www.greenwichconcours.com

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