Concourse De Elegance

Classic cars on parade for the annual Concourse de Elegance.

Do you have an antique or classic car that you’re dying to show off around town?

Then look no further than Lopez’s annual car show, the Concourse de Elegance on Aug. 13. Each year this event grows in size and reputation, with vehicles from as far as Seattle and Portland.

Several years ago, Tex Gieling co-founded the event with Helen Cosgrove and they both continue to coordinate what started as a small local gathering dedicated to enjoying classic cars to now a parade of nearly 30 vehicles.

“It’s exciting every year because you never know who is going to show up,” said Cosgrove.

Two years ago, the event hosted an array of cars including a 1937 Cord, a 1923 Bugatti and a triumph TR4.

Car owners meet at the Lopez School at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The car parade around the island starts at 12 p.m.

The parade route starts northbound on Center Road, then follows Fisherman Bay Road to the Village, turning on Weeks Road, passing the new market and through the Village, passing the old market to Fisherman Bay Road and then heading south on Fisherman Bay Road to end up at Coffelt Road.

Everyone brings their own lunch and has a big picnic at Coffelt drive.

“There you get to kick tires and tell stories and talk about cars,” Gieling said.

Gieling says she has been interested in classic cars “probably from when I was in diapers. “

She bought her own 1932 Chrysler Roadster in 1952 and drives it to this day. Gieling attributes the fine condition of her car to islander Roy Berg, who has since passed away.

“He was the best classic car restorer on the West Coast,” Gieling said.

It is the beauty of the classic vehicle that appeals to Gieling.

“They’re so wonderfully designed and they’re fun,” she said. “I think contemporary cars are utility objects, a classic car you can just look at it and your heart goes out. And I think there are a number of people who have classic cars for that reason.”

The public is welcome, anybody with an interest in cars is invited to watch the parade and join in the picnic, and drivers are also welcome to dress in the costume of their car’s era.

“Anyone who loves a car loves to show it off and talk to other people,” Gieling said.

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Mercedes-Benz at 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance ...

Mercedes-Benz Classic and Mercedes-Benz USA will be showing off some of their finest vehicles at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 21, 2011. This year’s Concours d’Elegance is marked among other things by the 125 years of the automobile anniversary. To commemorate this anniversary, a replica of the Benz Patent Motor Car of 1886 will be on display . As in past years, this years Pebble Beach Concours includes a drive and an auction, all dedicated to the most elegant, most outstanding automobiles.

Since 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, has been the preeminent showcase for automotive elegance internationally. The enthusiasm and passion of collectors from all over the world who strive to be successful here with their cars is unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Since the event was initiated, Mercedes-Benz vehicles have had a regular spot on the lawn in front of the lodge. In addition to more than 120 class victories and special prizes, vehicles from Mercedes-Benz have won the “Best of Show” award several times.

This year, during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance a number of outstanding vehicles will be presented to the international audience. The Mercedes racing car designed by Wilhelm Maybach in 1906 was one of the most advanced vehicles of its day and features forward-looking details: for instance its six-cylinder engine has overhead camshafts, overhead valves and a dual high-voltage spark plug ignition. Because of its frame design the vehicle has a very low centre of gravity.

The 200 hp Benz of 1909 was given the byname “Blitzen Benz” – Lightning Benz – because of its outstanding performance. Among other things it was the first petrol-powered automobile in the world to post speeds over 200 km/h. The vehicle shown in Pebble Beach is a faithful reproduction using an authentic engine.

Of the supercharged six-cylinder sports cars of the Mercedes-Benz S series, the SSK (W 06 series) is the most exclusive and fascinating model. The model designation stands for “Super-Sport-Kurz” (super-sport-short) and besides emphasising the car’s special sportiness also indicates its shortened wheelbase. The SSK dominated the international motorsport scene in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Special exhibition “125 years inventor of the automobile”

In addition, Mercedes-Benz USA is organising an exhibition in its pavilion at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance to mark the “125 years inventor of the automobile” anniversary. A replica of the Benz Patent Motor Car of 1886 will be on display there, a so-called American Mercedes (1905), a Silver Arrow W 154 Grand Prix racing car (1939), a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198, 1954), a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE (W 180, 1958) and a Mercedes-Benz 600 (W 100, 1969). The “Aesthetics 125!” sculpture created by Mercedes-Benz Design opens a window on the future of the brand. Concept car versions of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster and the next generation of the A-Class represent the more immediate future.

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