Star Automobiles set to Astonish and Amaze at 7th Annual Barrington Concours d’Elegance
BARRINGTON, ILL. – July 3, 2013
The 7th Annual Barrington Concours d’Elegance will feature a wide variety of vehicle classes, including some of the most celebrated pre and post war collectible cars in the world, with stars and stunning examples from each group. An array of exquisite examples of automotive excellence will be shown on July 12-14, 2013, at the Makray Memorial Golf Club in Barrington, Ill. The Concours will celebrate over 100 fine autos with displays detailing the history of these cars and their makers.
“We believe we’ve assembled one of the finest groups of important automobiles and motorcycles in the Midwest this year,” said David Cooper, Concours Co-Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “From Duesenbergs to Delahaye and Vincent motor bikes, vehicles selected for the show field represent key milestones in design and engineering. The breadth will range from the brass period and great classics to post war works of art.”
One of the brightest stars will be a rare Avions Voisin C27 Roadster. It was created by Gabriel Voisin, a brilliant French designer, engineer and aircraft pioneer. After WWI, Voisin turned to automobiles, following a design path that made his creations truly unique with innovations like Knight sleeve valve engines. The 1934 Voisin Type C27 Roadster is one of only two C27 cars ever made; this one has a special Figoni coach built roadster body that was originally delivered to Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran.
Another marvel on display will be the innovative 1936 Stout Scarab. Designed by William Stout, an aircraft engineer and close friend of Henry Ford, the car was styled by John Tjaarda. Unique in its era, it is a streamlined rear-engined, spacious open cabin touring vehicle with a fully independent suspension. It was constructed more like an aircraft fuselage than a car. They were quite expensive and reportedly only nine were made. The example on display at the Concours was fully restored by the owner, who has driven it across the United States twice on the Great American Race.
Although many assume that only pre war classics and European exotics are the only vehicles to be displayed on such a show field, the Barrington Concours is breaking with that tradition.
“Each of these vehicles is held in high esteem for their contributions to automotive history,” said Cooper. “We’re thrilled to tell the story of vehicles that span several generations. It’s as important to recognize the impact of iconic cars like the Ford Mustang as it is to celebrate the greats like Auburns and Packards.”
The Concours will indeed celebrate the pop culture favorite pony car with one of the most important ones ever built. Among the headlining cars is believed to be the first 1964 Ford Mustang sold. Reports long claimed that Ford’s first Mustang was sold before midnight on April 16, 1964, with April 17 being the official start date. Gail Brown knew nothing of the most eagerly awaited new model in Detroit history when she went shopping on April 15, 1964. The salesman let Ms. Brown drive off in her Skylight Blue droptop two days before he was supposed to sell it. Meticulously restored in 2007, this convertible remains in Gail’s hands today.
The Concours is a year-long celebration of automotive excellence featuring more than ten events. These special cars will be displayed at the Concours’ capstone event on July 12-14 along with 100 of the world’s finest and rarest vehicles, including a collection of Avions Voisins, Duesenbergs, Corvettes, Porsches, Indy cars and Vincent motorcycles. General admission tickets are available for purchase at www.barringtonconcours.org/home/tickets-for-all-events/.