The inaugural Arizona Concours d’Elegance, held Sunday, January 12, on the landscaped lawns of the historic Arizona Biltmore resort in Phoenix, presented a selection of 75 magnificent automobiles for a highly successful first-time event, with winners announced for vehicle classes, special awards and Best of Show.
Under brilliant blue skies, more than 2,000 people enjoyed the balmy Phoenix weather and the sights and sounds of a top-drawer concours celebration of automotive finery in an exclusive and intimate setting. The 1925 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet de Ville owned by Donald Nichols of Lompoc, California, won Best of Show honors from the impressive field of contenders. Nichols discovered the car in 1970 sitting in derelict condition in a Sarasota, Florida, alley and finally completed its restoration just two years ago.
The Hispano, with coachwork by Kellner, was originally owned by the famous industrialist Andrew Mellon. Nichols kept the car for nearly four decades before undertaking the daunting challenge of restoring it. The beautiful result was chosen by the Arizona Concours judges as the event’s first Best of Show.
Among the special awards presented during the Concours, one standout was for the car chosen by the Wish Kids, nine young people who are part of Make-A-Wish Arizona, the founding chapter of the international organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The first Wish Kid award was a 1939 Bugatti T57C Galabier owned by Bill and Linda Pope of Paradise Valley, Arizona, which the nine children chose from the concours field.
Other special awards included: Most Elegant Pre-War — 1938 Steyr 220 roadster (Peter Boyle, Oil City, Pa.); Most Elegant Post-War — 1955 Maserati A6G Frua Spyder (Thomas Mittler Estate, Mishawaka, Ind.); Director’s Choice — 1907 Renault A1 35-45 (Alan Travis, Phoenix).
