The 5th annual Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance was a resounding success. In fact, PCDE Chairman Bob Ingram, and noted Porsche collector, said it best in Saturday’s press conference,
“This is the best field we’ve ever had. We have the best judges of any car show in the country. The field today is comparable to what you’d see at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island … any of the top shows. We’ve gotten so many compliments about the organization of the show and about Pinehurst as a community,” Ingram said. “We have become — and I say it with total modesty — in five short years, one of the top five concours in America.”
The Iron Mike Rally kicks off the festivities on Friday morning. The Rally consists of a 70-mile round trip to Fort Bragg, the nation’s largest military base. The drive gives Concours Participants the opportunity to exercise their cars, interact with military personnel and provide rides to Veterans in their prized automobiles. Some cars are fresh off restorations as was the case with Chip Perry’s incredible 1951 Porsche 356 Split Window Coupe.
Chip didn’t have the opportunity to log any miles in his freshly restored 356 and was looking forward to leading the Rally to and from Fort Bragg. The 356 performed flawlessly.
At this point the Rally participants fire up their trusty steeds and head over to the Carolina Hotel. This is the first opportunity for those attending the Concours to catch a glimpse of this year’s precious metal.
Saturday morning comes early for all involved in PCDE
Concours participants, 122 this year, needed to have their automobiles on the show field by 8 AM with Judging beginning promptly at 8.
A large part of PCDE is the Fairway Club, which consists of 180 Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Corvette and other collector automobiles from North Carolina car clubs, all situated on the fairway adjacent to the Concours show field. Placing over 300 show cars, on 2 legendary Pinehurst fairways, in 2-hours requires patience and precision for all involved. When the gates open and Concours attendees start to stream onto the fairways, music is playing and the golf course has been transformed into a magical showcase for all to enjoy!
Porsche presence is strong as always at Pinehurst
The Ingram family always enter a few choice early Porsches. This year Cam Ingram entered his perfect 1963 Porsche 356B Carrera 2
Kevin Watts, of the Road Scholars, chose to enter his 1959 Porsche 356A GS/GT Speedster. Both 356’s were entered in the Porsche Carrera class.
The race car class always has a very eclectic group of vintage race cars, this year was no exception. The entry that really stood out in the class was the 1959 Porsche RSK 718 Center Steer also known as the “Giant Killer”! The RSK 718 is the only car to ever compete in Formula 2 and Sports Car. Rick Grant is the longtime owner of this uber rare Porsche. Rick drives all his Porsches and raced this RSK as recently as March of this year at the Amelia Island Vintage Races the week after the Concours. For those that attend Rennsport Reunion, you have seen this RSK on track. Kudos to Rick Grant for using his Porsches as Ferdinand Porsche intended.
Modern Super Cars are always fan favorites, and the selection at Pinehurst this year would have made your eyes water! The 2006 Ferrari FXX seen here has raced all over the world and competed for eyeballs with a 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari owned by Rick Hendrick, a 2014 McLaren P1 and Bob Ingram’s very own Paint to Sample Viola Metallic 918 Spyder.
It was ordered in Viola Metallic to match the collection’s 993 Turbo S and is the only 918 in this color.
Jay Howard and his International team of judges pride themselves on a timely Concours, this year was to be no exception. At precisely 1 PM the class winning automobiles start to make their way toward the podium and ultimately at 3:30 Best of Show is crowned. 2017 Best of Show was awarded to Guy Lewis from Pinecrest, Florida and his 1925 Rolls-Royce Springfield Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster. The Rolls-Royce was originally owned by Howard Hughes. Hughes ordered the car when he was 20 years old, in fact, the Rolls-Royce still wears Howard Hughes monogram “HH” on the driver’s door and custom monogrammed luggage still resides in the Rolls’ trunk!
Meanwhile over in the Fairway Club there were more delicious automobiles we needed to have a look at and meet the owners! If you enjoy Porsches and Porsche owners, the Fairway Club is the place to be.
Every Porsche imaginable from early 356’s to the latest GT3 RS’s were on display.
The most enjoyable facet of Fairway Club?
The owners are with their Porsches and enjoy telling the story of how they acquired their 356 or maybe it has been in the family since new or learning how a new GT3 or GT3RS was special ordered and delivered to them by Ray Schaffer in Atlanta at PECATL. With over 60 Porsches on display, there is a Porsche and Porsche story for everyone. Fairway Club is located directly in front of the stage when Sara Evans grabs the mic at 4pm and performs for an hour plus!
The Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance is a must do event for all serious automobile aficionados, add it to you schedule for 2018.
