New concours added to January Arizona auction action
Usually, auctions accompany concours d’elegances, but in a logical flip, a new concours has been added to the dizzying slate of automotive activities already occurring in Arizona during January. The…
Usually, auctions accompany concours d'elegances, but in a logical flip, a new concours has been added to the dizzying slate of automotive activities already occurring in Arizona during January.
The inaugural Arizona Concours d’Elegance, to be held at the historic Arizona Biltmore Resort and Hotel in Phoenix on Jan. 12, will jump-start the Arizona collector-car auction week for the tens of thousands of hobbyists already in the area. Packard and Maserati will be honored at this first event.
Maserati, the renowned Italian racing and performance brand, is marking its 100th anniversary during 2014, and the Arizona Concours will kick off the celebration. Pre- and post-war examples of competition and road cars from Maserati’s illustrious history will be on display at the concours.
Packard, one of the greatest luxury brands in American history, 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.
The inaugural Arizona Concours will serve 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.
For tickets, entries and more information, see www.ArizonaConcours.com.
Angelo Van Bogart is the editor of Old Cars magazine and wrote the column "Hot Wheels Hunting" for Toy Cars & Models magazine for several years. He has authored several books including "Hot Wheels 40 Years," "Hot Wheels Classics: The Redline Era" and "Cadillac: 100 Years of Innovation." His 2023 book "Inside the Duesenberg SSJ" is his latest. He can be reached at avanbogart@aimmedia.com
