• 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
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