With a full complement of 135 automobiles on display in this year’s Concours field, a 1903 Thomas Model 18 was named Best of Show Concours d’Elegance and a 1961 Alfa Romeo Sprint Zagato Coda Tronca was named Best of Show Concours de Sport at the 7th annual Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance held Sunday, May 1.
A sold out crowd of thousands of auto aficionados and urban explorers gathered at Greystone Mansion for the elegant event where stunning automobiles and more than 20 unique motorcycles graced the historic 18-acre estate in Beverly Hills.
A 1939 Brough Superior SS 80 was named Best Vintage Motorcycle, a 1980 BMW R100 was named Best Custom Motorcycle and a 1954 BMW R 51/3 was named Best Preservation Motorcycle.
“The Greystone Mansion Concours is unlike most any other automotive event because it offers something for everyone. Each year the show highlights a variety of remarkable cars that are rarely seen by the public and features a completely new field of entries annually,” said Concours Director Cindy Brynan.
“This is the 7th year of the event and was easily our most successful ever,” Brynan added. “We had the honor of receiving the most applications we have ever had for potential exhibitors. We ultimately showcased 135 world class cars and 20 motorcycles.”
Local artist Richard Pietruska was commissioned to create custom Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance signature awards. The forms are exaggerated and curved to dramatize the unique character and quality of each automobile as it flows through space, organizers explained.
The Pietruska awards were given in 18 Best of Class categories and in two Best of Show categories. Entries are assessed per the “French” method of judging which emphasizes the overall impression of the given vehicle, taking into account such factors as originality, authenticity, design, styling, and elegance.
In addition to the Best of Show awards, other concours winners included a 1967 Alfa Romeo GTA/P 1600 Corsa, which received the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) Preservation Award; a 1961 Ferrari 250 SWB Berlinetta received the HVA “This Car Matters” Award; a 1931 Chrysler Imperial CG Dual Cowl Phaeton was the Mayor’s Choice recipient; and, the Spirit of Greystone Award was presented to a 1932 Lincoln KB Roadster.
For the first time, 2016 Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance offered a Preservation Class category verifying that each car in this class is original and unrestored. The Preservation Class award went to a 1967 Porsche, 911S.
The Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance is an annual fundraiser for the Friends of Greystone, a non-profit organization whose mission is the ongoing preservation and restoration of the estate, which is one of a handful of nationally registered historic landmarks in Southern California. Visit greystoneconcours.org for more.
