The 40th Concours d’Elegance of America, set for July 27-29, 2018, at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan, has announced its Collectors of the Year and its Enthusiast of the Year. Sam and Emily Mann have been selected as the Collectors of the Year, and Mark Reuss has been named Enthusiast of the Year for the 40th annual event.
The Manns (above, photo courtesy of Concours of America) will display five cars from their collection, including their 1932 Chrysler Imperial Roadster, a one-of-a-kind vehicle built for Walter P. Chrysler Sr., which won Best of Show at Pebble Beach in 1991. The other cars they will be bringing are: the 1935 “Clark Gable” Duesenberg JN Rollston Roadster restyled by Bowman & Schwartz; a 1937 Delahaye 145 Franay Roadster; a 1937 Delage D8-120S Pourtout Coupe; and a 1937 Delage D8-120 de Villars Roadster. The Manns have a collection of more than 50 vehicles based on excellence in style and representing an unusual number of one-off designs, with others under restoration.
“I’ve always enjoyed mechanical things, but my enthusiasm for vehicles is unmatched,” said Sam Mann. “Concours d’Elegance of America celebrates the spectrum of automotive engineering from beginning to end, and serves as a mirror of what has been accomplished — past and present — in the automobile industry.”
“Sam and I drive 5,000-7,000 miles in our vintage cars each year,” Emily Mann added, “and we’re looking forward to being in Michigan this summer for the 40th Concours d’Elegance of America to celebrate both the collectors and the gems of the automotive industry.”
Mark Reuss, GM’s executive vice president for Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, will have at least six vehicles on display this year, both from his personal collection and the General Motors Heritage collection, representing his passion for automotive engineering and design.
“I’m thrilled to be recognized and excited to participate in this year’s Concours to celebrate the evolution of automotive design and engineering,” said Reuss. “My father has always loved this event, and I look forward to walking the field with my family, friends and colleagues once again. The hundreds of stunning, historic vehicles on hand will, as always, illustrate how much past design can truly inspire the future.”
The weekend-long event will include a motoring tour, vehicle seminars and charity events to support Project Beautiful Inside and Out and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, culminating with more than 300 vehicles and motorcycles displayed on Sunday. For more information, please visit www.ConcoursUSA.org
