Geneva Concours Variety

Despite being a relatively new show, the 2006 Geneva Concours d'Elegance included a variety of vehicles. Modern sports cars such as a Morgan Aero 8 and BMW Z8 were parked near seminal classics like an unrestored 1925 Rolls Royce 40/50 Silver Ghost Springfield Pickwick or a 1935 MG PB Airline Coupe. The variety of cars gave spectators an unusual opportunity to take in the evolution of the automobile over the years.

Besides generational variety, visual variety was readily available as well. One thing that people could have a chance to do was see some car styles that no longer exist. These included towncars and town landaulets (for more info on body styles, check out the Imperial Club). Both of these styles are a relic of another era. The represent the epitome of class divides, isolating the lower class (the driver) from the upper class (the passenger/owner) by means of wind and weather. Both body styles disappeared after WWII. Rather than separating the driver with a physical outdoor compartment (as opposed to the warm and quiet indoor one), traditional limousine bodies with a simple glass partition became popular once again. Today, most people still think of a limousine when they hear of a 'Town Car,' but they are usually thinking of a Lincoln.

This weekend I am in Auburn, IN for the 50th annual Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival. Hopefully, I'll see some old friends and make some new ones. Coverage of that event to follow as I get it.

Photos, clockwise from lower left, are of a 1926 Rolls Royce Phantom I Brewster & Tourville Towncar, a 2002 BMW Z8, a 2006 Morgan Aero 8, a 1925 Rolls Royce 40/50 Silver Ghost Springfield Pickwick, a 1935 MG PB Airline Coupe, and a 1920 Locomobile Model 48 Dual Cowl Phaeton.

To see a more complete gallery of pictures from the Geneva Concours d"elegance, click here

2006 Geneva Concours d'Elegance

This past weekend was a very busy weekend for me because there were two major events packed into the short, 48 hours span. Actually, there were about 5 major car events that occurred this weekend. Chalk that up to communication problems between the various clubs and organizers (maybe they should all try using Google Calendar to see what every else is doing). That aside, the big shows I went to were the Geneva Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, August 27th and the Rockford AACA Blackhawk Region Meet on Saturday, August 26th.

The focus for now will be on the Geneva Concours d'Elegance. First, a bit of history. The concept of a 'Concours d'Elegance' originally began in France before WWII as a way for wealthy owners to show off their exotically styled rides and fashions. After the war, Americans began picking up the concept, primarily as a promotional tool for resort development and a venue to show off the newest sports cars. The first major American concours was the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, which was first held in 1950. It wasn't until Phil Hill brought a beautifully restored, but only 24 year old at the time, 1931 Pierce-Arrow 41 LeBaron Convertible Town Cabriolet to Pebble Beach in 1955 and won Best-In-Show with the car that the concept of concours featuring cars from the 'Classic Era' caught on.

Today, the Geneva Concours continues that trend. The show, now in its second official year, functioned both as a venue for displaying amazing automobile and a charity fundraising vehicle for the Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Society. The show featured a Gala Banquet with numerous silent auctions and a fashion show, an element that has always been a part of Concours' through the years.

In a break from tradition, the Geneva Concours allows vehicles from all eras, ranging from early horseless carriage to modern sports cars, and also uses a hybrid judging system combining AACA and CCCA '100 Point' based judging (emphasis on originality, correctness, importance) and French Concours judging (emphasis on style, appearance, visual impact). This system allowed for cars that wouldn't ordinarily be able to win a Concours to be up for the running of the Judges Choice Award, the proverbial 'Best of Show.'

This Year's winner of Judge's Choice was a 1910 Packard Model 30 Touring owned by John Robert of Winnetka, IL. Many more pictures and information on this event is to follow, as well as galleries of even more pictures, so stay tuned!

Pictures, clockwise from lower left, are of the fashion show featuring clothing from Geneva, IL boutiques, a bustling shot of the gala banquet, Phil Hill's 1931 Pierce-Arrow 41 LeBaron Convertible Town Cabriolet today and in 1955 (accept the best of show trophySteve Parker's Blog), and four shots of Roberts' award-winning 1910 Packard (shot at the AACA meet in Rockford).