The 21st Annual Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance took place last weekend in Seabrook, Texas, as more than 10,000 people turned up to peruse a field of more than 200 cars and boats competing in 60 classes at the Lakewood Yacht Club. The car side of the event featured Duesenberg as its main marque, as well as concept cars and muscle cars, while the featured marque for antique boats was Chris Craft Racing Runabouts.
Best in Show for the small boat category was presented to Lorne Leibel of Beverly Hills, California, for a beautiful 1921 Ventnor Stepped Hull Racer named “Dixie Baby,” while an 1896 Bath Iron Works Steam Tender owned by Richard & Irina Mitchell, of Montgomery, Texas, took Best in Show for the big boat category.
The car award ceremony found Honorary Chief Judge Al Kroemer, Concours Chairman Bob Fuller and Master of Ceremonies Keith Martin awarding Joseph Cantore of Elmhurst, Illinois, the Best of Show – European trophy for his 1938 Talbot-Lago Figonio and Falaschi Teardrop (above), while Richard and Irina Mitchell of Montgomery, Texas, won the Best of Show – American award for their 1929 Stutz Lancefield. The judges also awarded the Best of Class – Concept Car award to The Margie & Robert E. Petersen Collection from Los Angeles.
The judges presented the inaugural Margaret Dunning Award, memorializing the beloved Belle of the Concours, Margaret Dunning, to Richard and Irina Mitchell from Montgomery, Texas, for their 1930 Packard 733. The full list of winners is available at www.keels-wheels.com.
All proceeds from the 2016 event benefitted the Boys and Girls Harbor, whose mission is to provide a home and safe environment for abandoned and abused children and healthy, comprehensive care for children and families in crisis.
