The 2015 Santa Fe Concorso gathered more than 100 rare and exotic cars on the grounds of The Club at Las Campanas last weekend to celebrate one of the event’s founding forces, American racing legend Denise McCluggage, and pay tribute to Luigi Chinetti and Ferrari.
The three-day Concorso also featured a celebration of mechanical motion with several seminars, an evening gathering in Hangar K at the Santa Fe Municipal Airport and a Mountain Tour of local roads for entrants, then closed with Sunday’s judged exhibition of the automobiles.
McCluggage, who died last May at the age of 88, was a woman of many talents, but her life seemed ruled by her love of cars, the racing of them and writing about them. In her later years she settled in Santa Fe, regularly holding local lunchtime gatherings for kindred spirits from the area. She naturally became involved with the Concorso and her influence in its growth was substantial.
Chinetti, of course, was the man who convinced Enzo Ferrari that the future of his company would be best served by building powerful sports cars for the American market. He also raced Ferraris, thrice winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a driver and, in 1965, as an entrant when his North American Racing Team’s 250 LM (above) took overall honors in the hands of Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory. That car, now part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum collection, was entered in the Concorso and earned Best of Show – Sport honors.
Best of Show – Elegance honors were taken by the 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition of Ken and Ann Smith from La Jolla, California. A listing of class and special award winners follows:
Best of Show – Sport
1964 Ferrari 250 LM – IMS Hall of Fame Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana
Best of Show – Elegance
1936 Delahaye 135 Competition – Ken and Ann Smith, La Jolla, California
Race Car Class
1954 Maserati A6GCS Spider – John Weinberger
American Brass Era
1911 Ford Model T 5-Passenger Touring – Morris Dillow
Pre-War American Open (1917-1942)
1936 Auburn 852 S/C Boattail Speedster – Sport Clips Collection
Pre-War European Open (1930-1942)
1936 Delahaye 135 Competition – Ken and Ann Smith
Pre-War American Closed
1931 Nash 880 Four-Door Sedan – Gary and Amy Marchetti
Post War American
1964 Lincoln Continental Convertible – Eric Freeh
Post War European
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE – Farland Classic Restoration
Special Interest
1969 Pontiac Grand Prix Concept Car – David Crook
American Iron
1965 Shelby Cobra – Stephen Triandafilidis
Ferrari Street Cars
1987 Ferrari 328 GTS – Ron Wieneke
Sports & GT 1930-1953
1954 Arnolt Bristol Deluxe Convertible – Chris Marsico
Sports & GT 1954-1959
1957 Porsche 356A/Carrera 1500GS Speedster – Mike Houx
Sports & GT 1960-1967
1967 Jaguar XKE Roadster – Adams Hudson
Sports & GT 1968-1976
1968 Lancia Flaminia SS Zagato Coupe – John Boccardo and Derek Esplin
A number of other Special Awards were also presented, among them:
Denise McCluggage Award
1947 MG TC Roadster – Jonathan and Eileen Brinkerhoff
Luigi Chinetti Award
1970 Ferrari 512 M – West Avenue Group
Tribute to Ferrari Award
1964 Ferrari 250 LM – IMS Hall of Fame Museum
Most Elegant Open Car Award & President’s Award
1936 Auburn 852 S/C Boattail Speedster – Sport Clips Collection
Al Unser Sr. Award
1931 Nash 880 Four-Door Sedan – Gary and Amy Marchetti
Al Unser Jr. Award
1992 Aluma Coupe – Petersen Automotive Museum
Tom Mittler Award
1936 Triumph Gloria Southern Cross Roadster – Dale Will
Lee Iaccoca Award
Murray Smith
