A 1928 Isotta Fraschini 8ASS owned by Peter Boyle of Oil City, Pennsylvania, captured Best in Show honors at the 2016 Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance—it is Boyle’s second victory at Pinehurst Resort in the first four years of the event.
Boyle, whose car was shown in the Pre-War European (open & closed until 1942) class, also won Best in Show at the inaugural 2013 competition with a rare 1938 Steyr Roadster, which returned Saturday with the three previous winners as display cars. “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 Show awards across the country.
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, and a super eight with a 160hp, although standard horsepower at the time was 120hp. Its odometer shows only 22,000 original miles. A blown head gasket almost scratched the car from the concours, but Boyle’s support crew valiantly worked overtime to get it ready.
Boyle’s car was chosen Best in Show from some 100 cars staged in 12 classes, representing 16 states and Mexico. When asked what he felt the 1928 Isotta Fraschini is worth, Boyle replied: “I really don’t know but I can tell you it’s priceless to me.”
All four of the Best in Show winners were staged in front of the Carolina Hotel following Boyle’s victory in what will likely come to be known as the Pinehurst Concours Foursome. A complete listing of class winners can be found at sportscardigest.com/2016-pinehurst-concours/
