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Del Mar Concours d’Elegance 2010 – Report and Photos

Report and photos by Clint Campbell

Corvettes and Shelbys - Del Mar Concours d'Elegance 2010The inaugural Del Mar Concours d’Elegance was held October 17, 2010 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego, California.

Driving to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, drizzle was coating my windshield. On every Concours a little rain must fall? Or, something to that effect. But, car show fans like us aren’t about to let a little rain didn’t dampen our spirits.

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club played host the first ever Del Mar Concours d’Elegance, and what a location. Wonderful Spanish/California mission architecture mixed with well-manicured lawns and flowers made a terrific setting for some great automobiles on display. Even though most cars were getting wet for the first time that wasn’t for a wash.

The highlight for fans was Paul Emples stately 1930 Minerva which won both the People’s Choice and Reserved Best of Show.

Porsche was well represented in the German sports category and first prize went to a subtle, yet sublime light grey 1986 Porsche 930 Turbo owned by Joseph Demeo. In second was Chris Bramwell’s 930 with a factory installed slant nose painted Guards Red. Rounding out the top three was a 1983 Porsche 911 SC shown by Ronald Liskanich.

The British are coming! And they are driving Jaguars! Mike & Jennifer Zavos surprised everybody with their beautifully restored 1972 Jaguar XJ6. A 1965 Jaguar Series l E-type owned by Tom Krefetz was a close second, while Colin Seid’s 1964 Austin Healey BJ8 was third.

Not to be outdone the colonies were well represented with a 1957 Corvette taking first place for Joseph Guthrie. Taking second was Frank Chirat’s 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500, with a cool 1963 Corvette Sting Ray in third shown by Harry Reigar.

A 1968 Dino 206 GT owned by William LeMasters took top honors in the Italian Sports class. However, if there was a category for best color on a cloudy day Bill Reinert’s second place 1972 Fiat Dino Spider in yellow walked away with it. You felt warmer just standing near it! Gene Ondrusek and his seventies cool 1975 Lamborghini Urraco was third.

If vintage racing is your thing then John Kerridge and his1926 Frazer-Nash Racer had to be coolest. Still racing after 80 years! A 1939 Lagonda V12 Racer shown by Joe Harding came in second, and for sheer fun you had to love Dan Scott’s 1947 Kurtis Kraft Midget Racer.

Some wonderful special interest cars were on hand including a 1962 BMW Isetta owned by George Ayoub and a 1998 Porsche 993 Twin Turbo S shown by Derek Moard.

The Porsche 356s had their own category and was won by a 1963 Porsche 356T Coupe owned by Skip Shirley. George Alspaugh’s second place 1957 Porsche Speedster looked like too much fun, and the 1964 Porsche 356 of Dan Swanson rounded out the group.

At the end of a wet and cloudy day the Best of Show was won by Ken Smith and his grand 1961 Rolls Royce Phantom V James Young Sedanca de Ville.

(See Del Mar Concours d’Elegance 2010 Winners).

For more information, visit www.delmarconcours.com.

Del Mar Concours d’Elegance 2010 – Photo Gallery (click thumbnail image for larger picture)