• The Finest Shone In The Desert…

The Finest Shone In The Desert Sun At The Arizona Concours d’Elegance.

Deleted the ads, but it took away the pictures too!

By Jeff Koch

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May 20, 2026The crush of automotive enthusiasm that descends upon Phoenix and Scottsdale in the second half of January has long needed a starting point — a celebratory kickoff to start the flurry of activity off right. In just a few years since its return to the scene, the Arizona Concours d’Elegance, this year on January 18, has stepped up and become exactly that — the introductory festival that filled a much-noticed gap.
This year, the Arizona Concours also served as an unofficial 140th birthday party for =232&distance=50&per_page=30]Mercedes-Benz. A replica 1886 Patentwagen greeted showgoers in the lobby on the way in, the concours program had a Karl Ludvigsen-penned history of the marque, and a Mercedes (or two) entered nearly every category for which it qualified. There were no marque-related categories — the 14 main classes were divvied up by a range of years and country of manufacture — but as you will see from the winners, Mercedes-Benz classics made a strong showing throughout the show.The Arizona Concours remains a pleasantly low-key experience: we’ve felt the white-knuckle tension on the field at other concours, and despite the top-notch steel, there’s certainly a more relaxed vibe here than we’ve felt at other events of its type. Some of this may be down to the classes; it’s easy to get lost among the prewar Classics, but few concours we’ve visited have shown a sense of whimsy. Two classes in particular this year, Cars Built for Sand and Surf (covering everything from Meyers Manx dune buggies to Jeepsters to VW Things) and Elegance Meets Utility: Nostalgic Mid-Century Family Wagons served to bring a treasure trove of machinery you might not otherwise spot on a concours lawn. Calling it casual may be a step too far, but few beyond the judges are decked out in fancy dress to match the era of their cars, either.

Better still, thanks to the expansive Scottsdale Civic Center venue, the vehicles on display never feel stacked on top of each other; there’s plenty of air between the cars for viewers to appreciate their lines and history. The lack of stanchions and chains meant that you could get up close and personal with the machine of your choosing — as well as the owners and keepers, many of whom were on hand to answer questions.

By the time you read this, the call for cars in a variety of 2027 categories will be announced: check arizonaconcours.org for additional details. No doubt the special categories will bring out the best cars from around the nation, as this year’s did.

If you live in the greater Phoenix/Scottsdale area, it’s a terrific way to see things a world away from local shows and auction patter. If you’re already coming out for the auctions, it’s well worth coming in early to stop by and kick the week off in grand style. If you’re not coming out for the auctions, well, save your pennies and think twice. The Arizona Concours d’Elegance is worth making a special trip.

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By installing the front and rear axles atop the frame, rather than beneath, and running 40-inch wheels and tires, Indianapolis-based American Motor Car Company lowered its Underslung’s center of gravity to enhance handling and create a sporty look. Though built for nearly a decade, more than a century ago, the marque has seen only a few dozen examples survive. This 1908 American 50/60HP Underslung Scout Roadster is owned by The Singleton Collection of Costa Mesa, California; it won Class 1, Sculpted for Speed–Pre-war Sports and Race Cars.Advertisement
Few will turn their noses up at the beauty and splendor of an Auburn 851 Supercharged Boattail Speedster; it has become an icon for ’30s speed, style and glamour. Chromed pipes poking out the driver’s side of the hood whisper the power of a Schwitzer-Cummins supercharged Lycoming straight-eight making 150 horsepower, and racer Ab Jenkins personally signed a dash plaque that he had driven this example over 100 mph. This stunning yellow 1935 example is owned by The Singleton Collection of Costa Mesa, California, and it drove away with the laurels for Class 2, Art Deco Sculpted Luxury–1930s American Coachwork.Advertisement
American sports car importer Max Hoffman had to talk Mercedes-Benz into building a streetable version of its race-winning W194 race cars. The result was the legendary W198-chassis 300 SL gullwing, a racer tamed for street use and a car widely recognized as an instant classic. Today, its legend has only grown. This 1955 example, owned by Robert J. Lavinia of Paradise Valley, Arizona, took home the Arizona Concours Award for Design.Advertisement

 

Most Mercedes-Benz 300 SL gullwing models you see are W198-chassis production cars, based on a handful of purpose-built European road racers. Not this one. This car, one of ten W194-chassis prototype racers produced, is one of those purpose-built European road racers; it won the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing 15 laps ahead of the nearest non-Mercedes competitor, with Hermann Lang and Fritz Reiss taking turns behind the wheel. Owner Bruce McCaw of Bellevue, Washington, collected the Arizona Concours Award for Exceptional Engineering in Period.
Bugatti’s prewar racers and performance cars get so much ink that it’s almost too easy to overlook the company’s exquisite grand-touring coupes, like this 1936 Type 57 Stelvio. A combination of engineering know-how and elegant coachwork, just 80 Stelvios were built across its extant years; this example spent time in (and was restored by) the Blackhawk Collection before landing with its current owners, Carolyn and Craig Jackson of Scottsdale, Arizona. Recently refurbished by the current owners, it won the Arizona Concours Director’s/Chairman’s Award.
For 1954, Eldorado remained Cadillac’s flagship passenger car; it was brought onto the Series 62 chassis for the year, but still maintained its GM Motorama show car aura. It was also a low-production affair: just 2,150 were built for the year, with prices starting at $5,738. Chrome 15-inch wire wheels mounting wide whitewall tires, two-tone leather seats, a signal-seeking AM radio and the Autronic Eye automatic headlight dimmer were part of the package. Ed and Norma Ramirez of Scottsdale, Arizona, took home the award in Class 4, Avant Garde–1930s, 40s, and 50s Visions from Maverick Minds with their immaculate Cadillac.A
A number of beautiful postwar wagons graced the field to compete in Class 5, Elegance meets Utility–Nostalgic Mid-Century Family Wagons, but this 1963 Pontiac Bonneville Safari, owned by Rich and Nancy Wilkinson of Paradise Valley, Arizona, topped the class this day. Factory-equipped with a 421-cubic-inch engine and iconic eight-lug wheels, it was built at the GM Atlanta plant and sold new in New Orleans. The Wilkinsons bought it in 2009, after it sat dormant for a quarter-century, and restored it to its current (as-new) condition.
Carroll Shelby was at the wheel of this D-type Jaguar, chassis number XKD 522, in December 1955 at the road races in Palm Springs, California. It marked the first time a D-type was raced on the West Coast of America. In 2021, current owner Jeremy McChesney of Laguna Beach, California, commissioned a restoration back to its Shelby-driven livery; for his efforts, he was rewarded with trophies in a trio of classes — Class 7, Post-War Sculpture in Motion–European Sports/Racing Cars (1948-1960), the Fashion Designer Award, and postwar Best in Show.
Shaken out of their comfort zone by a peek at the crosstown competition, GM’s stylists were tasked with designing all-new-for-1959 longer, lower, wider bodies for the X-frame chassis developed the year before. Buick not only restyled but also renamed its entire line; this LeSabre wears factory-applied Lido Lavender paint, and has an odometer reading under 30,000 miles. It’s the 1959-est machine we’ve seen recently. No wonder Rich and Nancy Wilkinson of Paradise Valley, Arizona, drove away with the award for Class 6, Patina and Provenance–Mostly-Original, Well-Preserved, and at least 50-years-old.Advertisement
This Series II 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 was originally on display at the 1966 Geneva International Auto Show, and today wears its correct Grigio Argento color with Pella Rosa interior. Long noted as Enzo Ferrari’s personal favorite in the Ferrari street car lineup, the Series II introduced a series of functional upgrades including a five-speed transmission, standard power windows, and optional air conditioning. A long-gestating project for Ed and Kimberly Montini of Gilbert, Arizona, they took home the award for Class 9, Post-War Sculpture in Motion–Ferrari Sports/Racing Cars (1961-1975).
Never mind about its revvy twin-cam six, its four-wheel disc brakes or its all-independent suspension—Enzo Ferrari himself reportedly declared Jaguar’s le
Class 10, There’s No Replacement for Displacement–American-Powered Sports/Racing Cars (1950-75), was largely a muscle car class. Hemi Super Bees, 4-4-2 convertibles, 427-powered Cougars, Z28 Camaros, a Shelby GT350H, a one-of-17 ’71 Pontiac GTO Judge ragtop, all competed. Yet it was this immaculate triple-carbureted, six-cylinder, 150-hp 1953 Chevrolet Corvette (number 188 of the 300 built), part of the James and Valerie Sheehan Stingray Ranch Collection based in nearby Cave Creek, Arizona, that won the day
The Mercedes-AMG ONE brought Formula 1 hybrid technology to a street-legal hypercar. Its 1.6-liter V6 hybrid engine derives directly from the company’s F1 championship-winning racers; with four electric motors (one at each wheel) the ONE produces 1,063 horsepower, with a 0-200km/h (124 mph) time of seven seconds. A Mercedes-AMG ONE also (at time of publishing) holds the Nurburgring-Nordschleife production car with a lap time of 6:29.090. Just 275 were built, and all were sold before production started. Paul Devers of Sylvania, Ohio, won Class 11, Slicing the Air at 200 mph–Exotic Sports Cars 2000-2025.Advertisement
Mercedes’ W188 chassis, represented here with this 1956 300 SC Cabriolet, blended advanced technology (the Bosch-mechanical-fuel-injected 3-liter inline-six that later appeared in the 300 SL gullwing and the low-pivot swing-axle rear suspension) and traditional hand-craftsmanship to create the company’s flagship machine. A successor to the legendary 540K, just 49 cabriolet models were built during the model’s 1955-’58 run. The example that won Class 12, Celebrating 140 years of Mercedes-Benz Engineering and Design, was shown by Mercedes-Benz of Northern Arizona, based in Flagstaff.
Italian scooter builder Piaggio, maker of the eternal Vespa, branched out into four-wheelers starting in 1957, building them in France (allegedly so Fiat didn’t strike back by building a competitive scooter). The Vespa 400 used a rear-mounted, 393-cc two-stroke two-cylinder engine with just 14 horsepower, but weighed well under a thousand pounds. This open 1958 “Jolly” variant (owned by the Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, California) sports wicker seats and a striped canvas top. Judges for Class 13, Sun, Sand & Surf–Cars built for the Beach, were sufficiently charmed to present it with the class award.

 

Mercedes-Benz advertised its Model 38/250 SSK as “The Fastest Sports Car in the World,” and with victories at the German Grand Prix, Spa 24 Hours and the Mille Miglia in 1931 alone, the claim was hard to argue. The supercharged 7-liter OHC inline-six made between 250 and 300 horsepower. Fewer than three dozen were built between 1929 and ’31, and this late-production example survives with all of its factory bodywork and mechanicals as produced at Sindelfingen. Owned by the Touring Auto Collection of Decatur, Illinois, it won the Scottsdale Arts Award for Automotive Artistry.
Everyone had to start somewhere. For Sir William Lyons, who would go on to create Jaguar, that somewhere was Swallow Sidecar, adding coachbuilt bodywork to existing chassis, including those built by Standard. This 1935 Swallow Coachbuilding SS1 Coupe, now owned by Eduardo and Michelle Zavala Harris of Saint Petersburg, Florida, spent its first 80 years in Buenos Aires before landing on American shores. The Harrises took home the Clive Cussler “Passion for Collecting” Award.
Just 419 of Mercedes’ range-topping 540K models were built from 1936 to 1940, but the Cabriolet B was among the more popular body styles built, responsible for nearly half of the production run. Ninety years on, it doesn’t make the result any less spectacular. This four-passenger touring car was built at the Sindelfingen Body Works, and its 5.4-liter supercharged inline-eight made 180 horsepower when the supercharger was engaged. Not only did this 1936 example, owned by Valerie and Aaron Weiss of San Marino, California, take Class 3, Continental Elegance in Motion–1930s European Coachwork, but it also won a Director’s Choice award, the Mercedes-Benz Award of Excellence, and (checks notes) oh right, Best in Show (prewar).
As civilian auto production wound down for World War II, any German-made 1939 model is considered rare; barely two dozen Special Roadsters were completed during the W29-chassis 540K’s run, which makes this example one of the last built before the hiatus. It had been hidden away during the war, and lived for a spell behind the Iron Curtain. The Russ and Nellie Jackson Memorial Award was given to the Touring Auto Collection of Decatur, Illinois, for their 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster.
The Cord automobile’s claim to fame, a driveline that powered the front wheels, also allowed a lower chassis that provided better handling than its more conventional competition. Alas, its launch coincided with the Great Depression, meaning barely 5,000 were built between 1929 and 1932. This elegant 1929 Cord L-29 Cabriolet, and its owner, Jason Manns of Festus, Missouri, were presented with the Frank Lloyd Wright Elegance In Motion award.
This sharp 1939 Buick Special Model 46 Business Coupe, owned by Terry and Carol Stines of Phoenix, won a Fashion Designer Award.
The Make-A-Wish Arizona Kids’ Choice Award was won by Jared Guynes and Jessica Sapp from Royce City, Texas, who delighted everyone with their 1964 Amphicar 770. Part automobile and part boat, and said to be the 195th Amphicar ever built, it was restored in 1998 and still shows just 1,700 miles on the odometer.

Not winners but interesting all the same…

With modern Lamborghinis largely variations on the wedgy/two-seat/mid-engined/painted bright colors theme, it’s sometimes hard to remember that Lamborghini started out with a front-engined two-plus-two like this 1965 350 GT — a four-wheeled spite-mobile aimed directly at Ferrari. This example is owned by Randall Smalley of Gilbert, Arizona.
The 1930 Willys-Knight Model 66B “Plaidside” Roadster saw just 400 produced, and you can nearly count the number still extant on your fingers. The eye-catching paint scheme caught on after press photos latched onto the style; today the 66B is recognized as a Full Classic by the CCCA. Larry Icerman of Santa Fe, New Mexico, brought out his sharp black-and-green Plaidside.Advertisement
What does an Italian Jaguar dealer do when he crunches one of his new XKs? Why, he asks a local carrozzeria to make a new body for it, of course! This Zagato-styled coupe is hiding 1957 Jaguar XK140 mechanicals, is one of two built, and is the only example left. Bill and Sally Pope of Scottsdale own this striking coupe.
What’s more shocking — seeing a 1990 model car on a concours lawn, or realizing that 1990 was more than 35 years ago? Jim Ayers of Orange, California, challenged everyone’s preconceived notions with his Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park wagon.
Open wide and say aaaaaahhh…
Mercury’s Mustang, called Cougar, was an upscale personal-luxury pony car splitting the difference between Mustang and Thunderbird. A few (like this 1968 GTE) were treated to 427 cubic inches of Ford power and spilled over into pure muscle car territory. Painted red with polished rockers to resemble the cars of the successful 1967 SCCA Trans-Am racing team, this example is owned by Randall Smalley of Mesa, Arizona.
“True artists scorn nothing: they are obliged to understand rather than to judge.” — Albert CamusThis wicker-festooned 1924 Ford Model T has been in the same family since 1934. Said to have been covered in the material by Lloyd Manufacturing, famous for the Lloyd Loom process (cellulose fiber spun into a cord, then woven into fabric on a loom, reinforced with aluminum wire, then sealed for water resistance), the material lays atop original sheetmetal. It sparked a lot of conversation on the show field.Among a field of black, grey and silver cars, and others finished in more muted tones, anything with a bright color stands out—and man did this 1953 Packard Caribbean pop! The 61st of just 750 built, this Gulf Green example commanded attention. Darrel and Monique Dundore of Scottsdale brought it out.