The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance 2015 was held Sunday, November 1st at the Port Royal Golf Club on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. More than 500 automobiles made their way to the South Carolina Lowcountry to participate in the 14th Annual Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d’Elegance.
Best of Show at the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance 2015 was awarded to a 1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial Phaeton owned by Joseph and Margie Cassini, III of West Orange, New Jersey. This Chrysler was the personal car of automotive designer Ralph Roberts, equipped to his order as a gift to his wife. The Chrysler also won Best in Class at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Other award winners at the Hilton Head Concours 2015 included People’s Choice going to the 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster owned by Dr. Richard Workman of Windermere, Florida, while a 1957 Ghia Dual-Ghia Convertible owned by David and Doreen Salzman of Jupiter, Florida won the Paul Doerring Founders Award, which was established to honor Paul Doerring, one of the key contributing founders of the event.
The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance also served as the location for the final 2015 presentation of the Lee Iacocca Award. The award, given for dedication to excellence in perpetuating an American automotive tradition, was presented by Norma Saken from The Iacocca Family Foundation and Rick Schmidt of National Parts Depot, the award’s sponsor, on Saturday, October 31 to William and Christine Snyder of Hudson, Ohio.
“We are extremely proud to have presented the final award at our event,” said Carolyn Vanagel, president of the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival. “We congratulate the Snyders for their extraordinary dedication to and passion for the classic car hobby. These are the qualities that the Lee Iacocca Award has come to represent.”
The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival reached sold out status for cars in the show earlier than ever before, in both the Concours and the Car Club Showcase. “We don’t see the momentum slowing down anytime soon and encourage owners to submit as early as possible for next year’s event,” said Vanagel. “The world-class hospitality and facilities of the Port Royal Golf Club, along with our yearly attendance records, have resulted in an even higher quality show field than ever before, and this year’s winners truly point to our growth and success.”
Collectors Fred Guyton of St. Louis, Missouri, and William “Tom” Gerrard of Big Sky, Montana, were recognized as the 2015 Pinnacle and Honored Collectors, respectively.
The 15th annual Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance is scheduled for October 28th to November 6, 2016. For more information on the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance, visit HHIMotoringFestival.com.
Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance 2015 – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture)
