1937 Maserati 6CM grand prix car, owned by Bill and Linda Pope of Paradise Valley, Arizona. Photo credit: Michael Tobian
PHOENIX – The inaugural Arizona Concours d’Elegance, a premium automotive event that starts up Arizona collector-car auction week, has chosen Packard and Maserati as its honored marques for the Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, concours held at the historic Arizona Biltmore Resort and Hotel.
1956 Maserati 150S sports racer, Bill and Linda Pope of Paradise Valley, Arizona. Photo credit: Michael Tobian
Maserati, the renowned Italian racing and performance brand, is marking its 100th anniversary during 2014, and the Arizona Concours will serve to kick off the celebration. Magnificent pre- and post-war examples of competition and road cars from Maserati’s illustrious history will be on display at the Concours.
1932 Packard 900 Light Eight Coupe Roadster, owned by Gordon and Janet Apker of Des Moines, Washington. Photo credit: Michael Tobian
Packard, one of the greatest luxury brands in American history – marketed with the famous quality slogan, “Ask the man who owns one” – will have a strong presence on the Concours field, including pristine classic models among the Classic Car Club of America judging classes.
“We chose these two great automakers – Packard and Maserati – to serve as the first honored marques of the Arizona Concours d’Elegance,” said Kevin Cornish, director of the Arizona Concours. “The inclusion of both a famous American luxury brand and a European sports and racing brand shows the breadth of the entries for the inaugural Arizona Concours.”
The first staging of the long-envisioned Arizona Concours d’Elegance will take place on landscaped lawns within the art deco elegance of the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. An expected 75-100 exceptional automobiles will compete in classes that range from vintage and classic to sports, racing and exotics.
Keith Martin, publisher of Sports Car Market and American Car Collector magazines, will serve as host and emcee for the inaugural Arizona Concours. A columnist, author, television personality and all-around collector-car enthusiast of the highest order, Martin will add his characteristic charm and expertise to delight the crowd of participants and spectators.
One of the nation’s premier concours judges, John Carlson, serves as Chief Judge at the Arizona Concours, leading the teams of top concours judges who will pick the class winners as well as the coveted Best of Show. Highly regarded for his decades of concours experience, Carlson is a Master Judge for the Classic Car Club of America, and a Chief Class Judge for the Pebble Beach Concours and the LeMay/Kirkland Concours, as well as Chief Judge for the Hilton Head, Cobble Beach, Crescent Beach and Louisville concours events.
The inaugural Arizona Concours serves as a charity event, with proceeds benefitting Make-A-Wish Arizona, the founding chapter of the national organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. For more information about Make-A-Wish Arizona, see www.wishaz.org.
The inaugural Arizona Concours d’Elegance starts up Arizona’s famous collector-car auction week with a luxury event of premium style and elegance. For tickets, entries and more information, see www.ArizonaConcours.com.
The Arizona Concours d’Elegance, 501(c)(3) status pending, celebrates classic automobile engineering and style while supporting local charities.