Santa Fe Concorso (2015)

The 2015 Santa Fe Concorso gathered more than 100 rare and exotic cars on the grounds of The Club at Las Campanas in late September to celebrate one of the event’s founding forces, American racing legend Denise McCluggage, and pay tribute to Luigi Chinetti and Ferrari.

The three-day Concorso also featured a celebration of mechanical motion with several seminars, an evening gathering in Hangar K at the Santa Fe Municipal Airport and a Mountain Tour of local roads for entrants, then closed with Sunday’s judged exhibition of the automobiles.

McCluggage, who died last May at the age of 88, was a woman of many talents, but her life seemed ruled by her love of cars, the racing of them and writing about them. In her later years she settled in Santa Fe, regularly holding local lunchtime gatherings for kindred spirits from the area. She naturally became involved with the Concorso and her influence in its growth was substantial.

Chinetti, of course, was the man who convinced Enzo Ferrari that the future of his company would be best served by building powerful sports cars for the American market. He also raced Ferraris, thrice winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a driver and, in 1965, as an entrant when his North American Racing Team’s 250 LM (above) took overall honors in the hands of Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory. That car, now part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum collection, was entered in the Concorso and earned Best of Show–Sport honors.

Best of Show–Elegance honors were taken by the 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition of Ken and Ann Smith from La Jolla, California.

Notable Award Winners

Best of Show – Sport 1964 Ferrari 250 LM IMS Hall of Fame Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana

Best of Show – Elegance 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Ken and Ann Smith, La Jolla, California

Race Car Class 1954 Maserati A6GCS Spider John Weinberger

American Brass Era 1911 Ford Model T 5-Passenger Touring Morris Dillow

Pre-War American Open (1917-1942) 1936 Auburn 852 S/C Boattail Speedster Sport Clips Collection

Pre-War European Open (1930-1942) 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Ken and Ann Smith

Pre-War American Closed 1931 Nash 880 Four-Door Sedan Gary and Amy Marchetti

Post War American 1964 Lincoln Continental Convertible, Eric Freeh

Post War European 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE, Farland Classic Restoration

Special Interest 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix Concept Car, David Crook 1965 Shelby Cobra, Stephen Triandafilidis