Hilton Head Concours

A Few of My Favorite Things...Hilton Head Concours Less than a Week Away!

The Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance & Motoring Festival is less than a week away. It's being held Nov. 1-4 partly at the Roebling Road Raceway in Bloomnigdale, GA (Thurs & Fri for track day events) and at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn all four days.

I plan on being there all four days and, as I find out more about it, am getting really excited!

 Top 10 Highlights:

1. Vintage motorcycle display dating from 1912-1974 (will include Ducatis and Moto Guzzis from Italy, Indians and Harleys from the U.S., a Triumph from Germany, an Abingdon and Brough Superior from England, late 1950s Dream from Japan, others)

2. First Responder displays (seven+ antique fire trucks, six+ antique ambulances, a 1974 police cruiser from the NYC Police Department and modern day apparatus. Two of the fire trucks are coming from American LaFrance)

3. Famous People (Bill Jr. Marriott of Marriott Hotels is the Honorary Chairman [he’s also bringing two of his own Italian sports cars including a 1955 Maserati PF Coupe-1 of only 4 ever made], Dennis Gage who hosts My Classic Cars on the SPEED channel and Bob Sharp who used to race and own race teams)

4. Southern Belle Fashion Show (Fashions by Palmettoes Boutique – one of my local favorites – and vintage fashions too)

5. Hilton Head Auction (renowned auction group The WorldWide Group is hosting again)

                6. World’s Smallest Car (2 cars from Lane Motor Museum are coming – one, the Peel P50                 is listed in Guinness as the world’s smallest passenger car. It has 1 seat and weighs 250 lbs.                     The Peel Trident is also coming and is a 2-seater version)

7. Havoline Exhibit (a NASCAR simulator, pit crew simulator, NASCAR “Car of Tomorrow” and the Nextel Cup Car competing in the 2007 season driven by Juan Pablo Montoya

                8. JCB Diesel Max Car (car designed entirely by computer and powered by diesel engine.                 Raced in the Bonneville Salt Flats races in Utah)

9. Hilton Head/Savannah Historics Track Event held at Roebling Road Raceway in Bloomingdale, GA (practice runs, qualifying rounds with HSR, hot lap rides at racing speeds, parade laps in your own car, small bore classic formula cars, historic formula cars, B.O.S.S. formulas cars)

10. Concours d’Elegance (of course!) (the official competition with 150 vintage cars competing for ‘Best of Show’ title

 I’ve been involved with the Concours a lot this year so I can personally say that it’s going to be a good one.

 

 

Those “green” hybrids have nothing on these efficient roadsters.

The Peel P50 is the world’s smallest ever passenger car and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “smallest street legal car.” It’s 4’ 5” long, 3’ 3” wide, 4’ high and weighs only 250 pounds. There’s no reverse gear in this one-seater but (have no fear), if you need to reverse, the car is so light you just use the “reversing handle” at the back, pick up your car and turn it in the direction you want!

The Peel Trident is a roomier two-seater version. No blinkers either– just a window small enough to stick an arm out and make hand signals. The cars average about 100 miles to the gallon. Talk about efficient! Both of these cars are coming to the Hilton Head Concours this year as part of the new “microcar” exhibit. They are coming from the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville which is one of the only museums in America that specializes in European cars like these.

What to do with the girls?????

It's true: us girls do "just want to have fun" and something tells me that when you tell the females in your family that you're whisking them away for a long weekend of vintage cars, racing and the ultimate NASCAR experience, they're going to be less than thrilled.

SO, I've included some selling points to help you out.

#1 Whether you're a car person or not, the Concours is actually a fun experience. Obviously. I mean, I'm a girl and I have an entire blog devoted to the Hilton Head Concours. But, in all honesty, I really do enjoy the event. It is cool to see all the collectible cars and the Southern Belle Fashion Show includes modern day styles. This year's clothing is coming from a local store called Palmettoes that has the CUTEST handbags, shoes and clothes. They have nice apparel for guys as well.

#2 If you can't sell them on the cars, try the beach. Hilton Head is known for its beaches - and not the rocky kind. Our beaches are nice and sandy with places to eat, shop and order drinks nearby. What woman doesn't want a tan in November?!

#3 If all else fails, Pass the Credit Card. This Island is LOADED with shopping venues. As a self-proclaimed shopaholic, I should know. Hilton Head has a mall, two sets of outlet shopping and dozens of specialty boutique stores. Also, it's only an hour from MORE shopping in Savannah and Charleston. So, if it comes down to a compromise men, here's your bargaining chip.

So good luck; I hope to see you and all the girls in November.

FYI - Mark Your Calendar

The Official Concours Event Calendar:

Calendar

Nov. 1

9 a.m.-4 p.m. track events at Roebling Road Raceway near Savannah

Noon-2 p.m. Southern belle and vintage clothing fashion show,

Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head.

Nov. 2

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Hilton Head/Savannah Historics races and test drives, Roebling Road Raceway.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Preview of The Worldwide Group’s Hilton Head Auction, Historic Honey Horn, Hilton Head.

Nov. 3

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival opening ceremonies, Car Club Jamboree, Italian sports cars, entertainment and food.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Hilton Head Auction, featuring millions of dollars worth of autos from around the world; $50 admission to bid, free to observe.

Nov. 3-4

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Quest for Speed and Style, an interactive display of race cars, vintage motorcycles, and antique fire trucks and ambulances.

Nov. 4

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Official Concours d’Elegance competition, featuring more than 150 vintage cars competing best of show and category titles, and the celebration of the Cadillac/La Salle.

For more information visit the official website, www.hhiconcours.com, or call (843) 785-SHOW (7469).

 

Take a Look

Here are some gorgeous pictures from last years Concours event

2006 Parade of Elegance Under Grand Oaks













A flashy car up for auction at the Concours Hilton Head Auction run by The WorldWide Group













Vintage-clad car enthusiasts take a spin in one of last year's competitor automobiles.













A sampling of some of the numerous automobiles at the 2006 Concours. Each year displays a bigger and broader selection of classic and collectible cars.










Some 2007 displays include a NASCAR simulator, pit crew simulator and NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow

Honorary Chairman

Every year the Concours has a different "honorary chairman" and this year they have chosen Bill W. Marriott of Marriott hotels for the honor. Mr. Marriott is a collector of Italian cars and will bring two cars from his own personal collection to the Concours. He was an exhibitor in last year's Concours and is a frequent exhibitor in the Pebble Beach Concours.

Some of the cars Mr. Marriott will put on display include a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB-4 and a 1955 Maserati PF Coupe, which is one of only four ever made!

Mr. Marriott Blogs too!
Marriott On The Move


                                                                                                                                                                        

New Blog

The Hilton Head Concours is growing in popularity! There is a new blog  devoted  to the  Concours with some great links.  Check it out:  Mark's Hilton Head Concours Blog.

Hilton Head Concours - Countdown!

Hilton Head is probably best known for its famous golf courses and tournaments. But one thing you probably may not have known is that it is also one of the best places to see exotic and collectible cars.

This blog is devoted to the Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance which is celebrating its 6th anniversary this November 1-4 at the Coastal Discovery Museum’s historic Honey Horn. Driving directions and ticket prices are all available at the Concours’ Web-site: www.hhiconcours.com.

2007's Concours event has some really cool exhibits lined up and has also brought in elements of art and fashion for family members who may not be so in to cars. Highlights for this year will be an artist exhibit, fashion show, auction run by The WorldWide Group in addition to the Concours "staples" Historics Track Event, "Best of Show" competition and Car Club Jamboree.

Bill Marriot, hotel mogul, is scheduled to bring a few of his collectible cars and a Cadillac El Dorado once owned by Elton John will also be there along with the world's smallest car.

The Hilton Head Concours is ranked as the 4th largest Concours in the nation and event organizers are really doing a remarkable job keeping the event fresh and interesting. We're beginning the countdown - 66 days!