‘Elegance at Hershey’ examples at Pennsylvania Auto Show Jan. 26-29

HARRISBURG, PA (January 25, 2012) - Three rare vehicles will be part of a special display of vintage cars in the new Luxury Hall at the PA Auto Show Jan. 26-29 at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. The vehicles will help promote the upcoming The Elegance at Hershey event, which raises money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the AACA Library & Research Center and the AACA Museum.

Weighing in at little more than 600 pounds, the 1958 Berkeley Speedster with its 328cc engine was manufactured in England from 1956-1962. One of only 1,259 ever produced, with fewer than 100 said to survive today, the vintage race car is part of a special exhibit of three rare collector automobiles promoting The Elegance at Hershey, June 8-10 at The Hotel Hershey.

"Car enthusiasts will be treated to a sneak preview of the types of beautiful and unique motorcars featured at The Elegance at Hershey events," noted Elegance at Hershey Managing Director Joe Benish.

Centerpiece of The Elegance at Hershey display is a 1928 Pierce-Arrow once used by Paramount Studios to carry famed actress Marlene Dietrich to and from her home in the Hollywood Hills. The fully restored Series 33 seven-passenger Pierce Arrow received an award at the 1999 Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach and is currently on loan to the AACA Museum in Hershey.

Rounding out the special exhibit is a distinctive 1929 Amilcar CGSS (Grand Sports Surbaisse'), one of only 948 built by Amilcar of St. Denis, France. The car raced in the prewar period in New England and later in Vintage Sports Car Club of America (VSCCA) events. A 2010 class winner at both the Amelia Island and St. Michael Concours d'Elegance, the fully restored Amilcar re-entered its racing career in last year's Hershey Grand Ascent, a revival of the famed Hershey Hill Climb, piloted by David L. George III.

Visitors to The Elegance at Hershey booth at the PA Auto Show have a chance to enter a free drawing for a $100-plus VIP Family Pack of tickets to the Elegance at Hershey events June 8-10 at The Hotel Hershey.

The Elegance at Hershey, a weekend of charity vintage and antique automobile events, raises money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the AACA Library & Research Center and the AACA Museum. Fast emerging as the region's most unique charitable fundraising event, The Elegance at Hershey raised more than $200,000 last year for its beneficiaries.

The Elegance at Hershey weekend includes "The Grand Ascent" on Friday June 8 and Saturday June 9, paying homage to the historic Hershey hill climb on the back road of The Hotel Hershey. The Grand Ascent features more than 60 vintage race cars, many from the pre-World War II era, roaring up the storied Hershey hill climb course in a VSCCA sanctioned competition.

New this year to the Elegance at Hershey lineup is "The Elegance Challenge" a timed 1½-mile runners' race up the hill climb course and down the return road. All proceeds from The Elegance Challenge run benefit the Elegance at Hershey charities.

The Elegance itself on Sunday June 10 features more than 60 of the worlds most beautiful and sought-after collector cars from all eras arrayed through the formal gardens of The Hotel Hershey. Special car displays, vendors, food, drink, breathtaking awards and entertainment make The Elegance an "automobile art" experience for the entire family.