Two marques share the spotlight at the 2010 Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance, with Mercedes-Benz as the European Featured Marque and Cadillac as the U.S. Featured Marque. Sponsored by the Palo Alto Lions Club, the 44th edition of this annual event will be held on Sunday, June 27 on Stanford University’s intramural fields in Palo Alto, California.
“Both car brands are noted for their elegance and refinement. Some of the loveliest and most significant examples of each will be exhibited”, says Hal Schuette, Concours executive director. “And, as usual, they’ll be supported by more than 20 classes of other car types as well as our typical assortment of special-interest vehicle displays.”
Cadillac will share honors with its earlier companion car, the LaSalle. That exhibit, being organized by the Northern California Region of the Cadillac and LaSalle Club, Inc., will consist of five classes of Cadillacs, ranging from 1902 to 1987, and one class of LaSalles, from 1927 to 1940. Judging will be conducted by the experienced members of the national club, many of whom have judged at other national meets. Of particular interest will be a 1907 single-cylinder “Victoria Touring” Cadillac.
Cadillac is named for the Frenchman who founded Detroit in 1701. Noted for such acclaimed designers as Harley Earl, Cadillac is also recognized for innovating such advances as the electric engine starter (1912), the body styling department (1927) and digital fuel injection (1980).
The corresponding Mercedes-Benz exhibit, being organized by the San Francisco Bay Area Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Inc., will have six classes spanning models from 1886 to 1987. We are working to highlight the exhibit with a factory replica of an 1886 Patent-Motorwagen along with a 1911 Touring Car. Mercedes judges will assess each entry for authenticity, condition and cleanliness. There will also be a separate Mercedes “corral” where non-judged cars will be displayed.
Karl Benz’s three-wheeled Patent-Motorwagen is credited as being the world’s first commercial motorcar. Following racing victories by Daimler and Benz’s early cars, the two companies merged in 1926, and their first joint model was designed by Ferdinand Porsche. This was followed by the successful SSK models in the 1930s and the introduction of pre-combustion diesel engine technology in 1936. In 1954, Mercedes’ status in sports racing was solidified by the 300SL whose “Gull Wing” model became a styling legend.
The 2010 Palo Alto Concours will be held in Palo Alto, California on the Stanford University athletic fields, Sand Hill Rd. at Pasteur Dr., from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 27. Almost 500 vehicles and a variety of special automotive exhibits will be featured. Proceeds help support some 46 peninsula charities. Advance tickets and additional information are available at www.paconcours.com.
[Source: Palo Alto Concours]
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