There are few better places to be in the United States, in February, than south Florida. And when you can combine warm weather and white sand beaches with beautiful cars, well, as they say in some parts north of the Florida line…it don’t get no better’n this.
This was my first visit to the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance, but it was the 13th time it has been held. Over those years, it has become an important show and has attracted some very special cars, not to mention celebrities.
Jay Leno was there, adding his presence and humor to the events leading up to the concours. Ryan Hunter-Reay received the event’s Automotive Racing Lifetime Achievement Award, and Rick Hendrick and Dietmar Exler received the Automotive Lifetime Achievement Awards. Mr. and Mrs. Robert S Jepson, Jr. were the Collectors of the Year, and, oh, the cars they brought, Stutz Bearcat and BB, McFarland, Isotta Fraschini, Bugatti, and Packard – stunning, every one.
The concours exists not only as a showcase of important automobiles, but also as a charity. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County have received significant support over the years from the concours.
There were 20 classes at the concours this year, including one for Mr. and Mrs. Jepson and four for Bentley automobiles. 2019 marks the end of the centennial celebration of Bentley, which was formed in 1918, and there were a significant number of those fine automobiles entered, from some of the earliest to as late as 1975. There were pre-war and post-war classes, one for Bentley Continentals, and one for coachbuilt Bentleys. Altogether, there were over 150 automobiles entered and approximately 60 motorcycles. The oldest automobile entered was a 1903 Marr Auto Car, and the newest was a 1980 Bentley Corniche convertible. Oldest motorcycle was shared by three from 1917 – Harley-Davidson Model J Military, Excelsior Series 17, and Indian 51-T Deluxe. Similarly, there were three newest, all from 1975 – Kawasaki 750 H2 Mach IV, Ducati 950SS Super Sport, and Rickman CR 900 Motorcycle.
The overall “Best of Show” award went to the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Coupe belonging to Dr. Richard Workman of Windermere, FL. The “Best Foreign Classic” award went to the 1939 Delahaye 135MS Cabriolet of Mark Hyman, while the “Best American Classic” went to Clive Cussler’s 1932 Cadillac V16/4380 Dual Cowl.
The grounds of the Boca Raton Resort and Club were an appropriate location for the display of these incredible vehicles. Beautiful location, incredible cars, lovely weather…hmmm, I might just have to be in Boca Raton again next February.
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2019 Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance Major Award Winners
| Jay Leno’s Big Dog Award – Automobile | Michael Jones | 1965 Buick Gran Sport | Hobe Sound, FL |
| Jay Leno’s Big Dog Award – Motorcycle | Jack Wells | 1938 Brough Superior SS100 | Lake City, FL |
| Best Foreign Classic | Mark Hyman | 1939 Delahaye 135MS Cabriolet | St. Louis, MO |
| Best American Classic | Clive Cussler | 1931 Cadillac V16/4380 Dual Cowl | Paradise Valley, AZ |
| Most Elegant Post War Closed | Vernon Smith | 1957 Cadillac Brougham 4D | Rockledge, FL |
| Most Elegant Post War Open | Warren Berliner | 1957 Dual-Ghia Hemi D500 | Dania Beach, FL |
| Most Elegant Pre War Closed | Richard Workman | 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Coupe | Windermere, FL |
| Most Elegant Pre War Open | Stephen R. Plaster | 1933 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A | Lebanon, MO |
| Best Elegant Early Car | Dennis Keifer | 1934 Lincoln KB Cabriolet | Memphis, TN |
| Most Elegant Bentley Continental | Don Rose & Nina Simonds | 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental | Salem, MA |
| Best New Restoration Award | Barbara & Bill Parfet | 1956 Continental Mark II | Hickory Corners, MI |
| Rolling Sculpture | Annick & Marcel Hoinville | 1919 Renault GR Skiff Tourer | Miramar, FL |
| Spirit of the Road | Robert S. Jepson, Jr. | 1929 Bugatti Type 436 Cabriolet | Savannah, GA |
| Timeless Elegance | David M. Landow | 1931 Buick Model 8-94 Roadster | Potomac, MD |
| People’s Choice Award | Kim & Stephen Bruno | 1966 Bosley Interstate Coupe | Coconut Creek, FL |
| Chief Judge Award | Dick Birdsall | 1953 Cadillac Series 62 Elegante | Lake Worth, FL |
| Founders Award | Stephen R. Plaster | 1933 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A | Lebanon, MI |
| Grand Marshal Award | Barton & Cindy Close | 1903 Marr Auto Car Runabout | Signal Mountain, TN |
| Grand Marshal Award | Richard A. Marr | 1914 Buick Cycle Car | Ocala, FL |
| Best of Show – Automobile | Richard Workman | 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Coupe | Windermere, FL |
| Best of Show – Motorcycle | Leo Schigiel | 1951 Moto Guzzi with Side Car | Miami Beach, FL |
