The Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 was held Saturday, April 30th on the first holes of courses #3 and #5 at the Pinehurst Resort and Golf Club in North Carolina. A pleasant spring day greeted the field of classic automobiles and motorcycles on display at the celebrated golf resort that has hosted more single golf championships than any other site in America.
Now in its 4th edition, the Pinehurst Concours has elevated itself onto the stage of top-tier events. Chairman Bob Ingram, Concours President Jay Howard and their team have unquestionably done their homework, as each event has shown continual improvements that benefit participants and spectators alike. These include a growing depth of quality in the entries, as well as innovative upgrades to the spectator experience like a concert that starts as soon as the show ends. The Pinehurst team is clearly not content to follow the ‘traditional’ Concours model and the classic car community is better for it. Howard summed it up best, “It’s one thing to put on a good event, but great events are ones that people want to return to and that’s how you are measured.”
The field at the Pinehurst Concours 2016 featured more than 100 cars staged in 12 classes, representing 16 states and Mexico. In addition to the traditional Concours classes, the fourth annual event featured Ferrari; Mercedes-Benz 300; Porsche; Corvette; Studebaker and Racing Cars.
A 1928 Isotta Fraschini 8ASS owned by Peter Boyle of Oil City, Pennsylvania won Best in Show at the 2016 Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance. The chassis for Boyle’s car was built in Italy in 1928 and then delivered to LeBaron in the United States. LeBaron produced the convertible coupe boattail with a single rumble seat. The car is equipped with an 8ASS engine, a ‘super sport’ eight with a 160HP. With only 22,000 original miles, the first time the vehicle was seen in public since the 1930s was in 2007. Boyle purchased the car — which has an ostrich leather interior — in 2005 from Jim Thomas, who was a judge at the 2016 Pinehurst Concours.
“This has just been a terrific run for me since I first came to Pinehurst, and this just caps off that run. I’m very humbled they chose me,” said Boyle, whose black and black cherry car has now won a dozen Best in Shows across the country. “It’s a wonderful car and weighs about 3 1/2 tons. It’s just beautiful on the road.”
Boyle almost didn’t enter the winning car, as it blew a head gasket as his crew was loading it onto the trailer for the trip South to Pinehurst. However, his team of mechanics, led by Roger James of D&D Classic Automobile Restoration, worked through the night to fix the problem.
“We pulled the car out on Tuesday and all of the sudden this big cloud of white steam came rolling out of the tailpipe and then anti-freeze was coming out of the tailpipe and we knew we were in serious trouble,” James said. “All of our guys desperately wanted this car to come so five of them volunteered to stay overnight and pull it off. What are the odds we had an extra head gasket? But I can tell you I’ve ordered two more now.”
The Isotta Fraschini joins a growing fraternity of cars that have won Best in Show at the Pinehurst Concours. Previous winners include a 1938 Steyr 220 Glaser Roadster, also owned by Boyle, a 1931 Cadillac 452A and 1919 Pierce-Arrow Model 66 A-4 Tourer — all of which returned to the 2016 event and were displayed prominently on the fairways of Pinehurst Resort.
The Post-War European Closed class, judged by Sports Car Digest Publisher Jamie Doyle and David Wallens, Editorial Director at Grassroots Motorsports and Classic Motorsports, saw a 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Berlinetta bodied by Zagato win Best in Class, followed by a 1960 Triumph Italia 2000 GT and a 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 LWB Limousine.
The event kicked-off on Friday, April 29th with the Iron Mike Rally, a 60-mile tour through the golf country of Pinehurst, the horse farms of nearby Southern Pines and then the wide-open roads of the massive Fort Bragg, home of the United States Army Airborne and Special Operations Forces and one of the largest military complexes in the world. After passing Fort Bragg’s “Iron Mike” statue, dedicated to paratroopers from throughout US military history, the rally ended at the inspiring Parade Field that was open to military members and their families. A “Soldier’s Choice” award, given to the car with the most votes from the military guests, went to the 1994 Jaguar XJ220.
Other highlights included the USO Show Troupe and 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus performing during the Concours. And after the awards ceremony, the Grammy Award-winning Commodores — a band which has recorded seven No. 1 hits over four decades — entertained a record crowd estimated at 12,500 to close out the day.
—
Similar to 2013, 2014 and 2015, Sports Car Digest also documented the 2016 Pinehurst Concours, with photographer Michael DiPleco offering the following images from the 4th annual event located in the Sandhills region of North Carolina.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Two
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Three
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Six
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Seven
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eight
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Nine
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Ten
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eleven
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Twelve
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Thirteen
[full_width_banners]
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance 2016 – Award Winners
Best in Show:
1928 Isotta Fraschini 8ASS, Peter Boyle, Oil City, Pa.
Ross Awards:
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, Todd and Holly-Faye Jenkins, Chesterfield, Va.
1978-79 A.J. Foyt USAC Camaro, William Rhine, Denver, N.C.
Tufts Awards:
1938 Packard 1608, Charles Gillet, Lutherville, Md.
1935 Bugatti Type 57, Rick Grant, Dayton, Ohio
Mercedes-Benz Award:
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, Pat Cline, South Lake, Texas
Robert H Dedman Award:
1964 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Sports Wager, John and Gail Policella, Margate, Fla.
FIVA Award:
1955 Mercedes-Benz, 300 SL Gullwing, Karl Kleiderer, Charlotte, N.C.
HVA Award:
1961 Jaguar E-Type Roadster, James Strickland, Marietta, Ga.
Chairman’s Award:
1964 Shelby Cobra, Larry Page, Crozier, Va.
Soldier’s Choice Award:
1994 Jaguar XJ220, Gordon Logan, Georgetown, Texas
Fairway Club Award:
1964 Porsche 356SC, Steve Gaddy, Pinehurst, NC
Class 1: Pre-War American (Open and Closed Until 1942)
Best in Class: 1936 Auburn 852 S/C Boattail Speedster, Gordon Logan, Georgetown, Texas
Pinehurst Award: 1933 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria, Jean and Donald Ghareeb, Birmingham, Ala.
Pinehurst Award: 1936 Cord 810, Thomas Haines, Baltimore, Md.
Pinehurst Award: 1928 Auburn 8-88 Boattail Speedster, Dick and Helen Harding, Beavercreek, Ohio
Class 2: Pre-War European (Open and Closed Until 1942)
Best in Class: 1928 Isotta Fraschini, 8ASS, Peter Boyle, Oil City, Pa.
Pinehurst Award: 1927 Isotta Fraschini 8-AS Dual Cowl Phaeton, Robert and Alice Jepson, Savannah, Ga.
Pinehurst Award: 1936 MG PB, Reed Tarwater, Greenfield, Ind.
Class 3: Post-War European (Closed Until 1974)
Best in Class: 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Berlinetta Zagato, Time to Drive Collection, Durham, N.C.
Pinehurst Award: 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 LWB Limousine, Guy Lewis, Pinecrest, Fla.
Pinehurst Award: 1960 Triumph Italia 2000 GT, Alan Anspaugh, Yardley, Pa.
Class 4: Post-War European (Open Until 1974)
Best in Class: 1961 Jaguar E-Type Roadster, James Strickland, Marietta, Ga.
Pinehurst Award: 1964 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Roadster, Ted Johnson, Boynton Beach, Fla.
Pinehurst Award: 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster, Jeff Jacobs, W. Palm Beach, Fla.
Pinehurst Award: 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Roadster, John Byrne, Fuquay-Varina, N.C.
Class 5: Studebaker
Best in Class: 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk, Mark James, Lancaster, Pa.
Pinehurst Award: 1963 Studebaker Avanti R1, Paul and Ann Rose, Berryville, Va.
Pinehurst Award: 1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk, Joe Parsons, Raleigh, N.C.
Class 6: Post-War American (Luxury)
Best in Class: 1958 Cadillac Convertible, Jean and Donald Ghareeb, Birmingham, Ala.
Pinehurst Award: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, Clarence Ray, Stanley, N.C.
Pinehurst Award: 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, Phil Farese, Jackson, N.J.
Pinehurst Award: 1968 Cadillac Fleetwood, Seventy-Five Series, Fred Caldwell, Cramerton, N.C.
Class 7: Post-War American (Performance)
Best in Class: 1964 Shelby Cobra, Larry Page, Crozier, Va.
Pinehurst Award: 1970 Dodge HEMI Challenger R/T, William Merritt, Fayetteville, N.C.
Pinehurst Award: 1966 Shelby GT 350, Earl Tindol, Gastonia, N.C.
Class 8: Corvette (until 1972)
Best in Class: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, Tony McBride, Louisville, Kent.
Pinehurst Award: 1964 Chevrolet Corvette, Don Meluzio, York, Pa.
Pinehurst Award: 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Dan Lynch, High Point, N.C.
Class 9: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe and Roadster (1954-1963)
Best in Class: 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe, J. Roberto Quiroz, Monterrey, Mexico
Pinehurst Award: 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, Mark and Tara Rein, Raleigh, N.C.
Class 10: Ferrari (until 1986)
Best in Class: 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB, John and Karen Gerhard, Ambler, Pa.
Pinehurst Award: 1972 Ferrari 246 GT Dino, Ivan Ruiz, Dawsonville, Ga.
Pinehurst Award: 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO, Rare Wheels Collection, Windermere, Fla.
Class 11: Porsche Air-Cooled (until 1988)
Best in Class: 1960 Porsche 356B Super 90, Tom Pike, Durham, N.C.
Pinehurst Award: 1988 Porsche 930 Turbo Cabriolet, Karl Boegner, Dahlonega, Ga.
Pinehurst Award: 1958 Porsche Speedster, Thomas and Kristin Zarrella, Gloucester, Mass.
Class 12: BMW Motorcycles (until 1976)
Best in Class: 1964 BMW R69S, Dr. Craig Whitfill, Apex, N.C.
Pinehurst Award: 1937 BMW R-20, Jack Wells, Lake City, Fla.
Pinehurst Award: 1952 BMW R-51/3, Jack Wells, Lake City, Fla.
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
[Source: Pinehurst Concours; photos: Michael DiPleco]
There was a wonderful 300 SL Gullwing that was totally original and owned by one family since new. The original owner’s son showed the car which had never been shown before and was used by the judges to show the other 300 SL owners what original items were incorrect on their cars. The owner told us a story about the car that when he was little some evenings his parents would get him and his two siblings out of bed for a “Jammy Run” where the kids would pile in the back of the car and they would all go over to the next town for ice cream in the gull wing.
Wonderful story Jerry and thank you for sharing with us.
Impressive and enjoyable both article and photos. Must be a wonderful annual event at a grand site!