Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance 2021
Known for its southern hospitality, relaxed environment, and beautiful surroundings, the Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance is always a treat for classic car lovers, as well as anyone who enjoys the attraction of this vacation paradise. If you missed it this year, here’s a recap, but be sure to add it to your 2022 calendar when the Low Country again celebrates these unique automobile classics.
Top Awards
Of the 267 vehicles in the 2021 Concours d’Elegance, the field was narrowed down to five top awards: Best Rolling Art Car: 1932 Packard 903 Deluxe Victoria, Best Production/Performance Car: 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, Best Road & Track Car: 1951 Cooper MG Sports Racer, People’s Choice Award: 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL, and Best Motorcycle: 1937 Sunbeam Light Solo. From these vehicles, Best of Show was chosen.
Best of Show and Best Rolling Art
A 1932 Packard 903 Deluxe Victoria, owned by Richard and Patricia Lambert of Port Orange, FL was awarded the Best Rolling Art Award and was later crowned Best of Show at the 2021 Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance.
People’s Choice
Best Production/Performance Car (Paul Doering Award)
Best Road & Track
1951 Cooper MG Sports Racer owned by Howard and Diane Banaszak of Fernandina Beach, FL
Best Motorcycle
1937 Sunbeam Light Solo Sports owned by Richard and Marsha Daughenbaugh of Aiken, SC
Special Award: William Hilton Award
1921 Duesenberg Model A
This 1921 Duesenberg Model A, which remained in the Castle family for almost 100 years, was donated to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, IN. For more about this one-of-a-kind classic, click here. And, for a look at the museum, check out this video.
Class Winners and Other Eye-catching Cars
Stutz: The Honored Marque
The Stutz Motor Car Company was the creation of Harry C. Stutz in 1911 with his prototype entry into the inaugural Indy 500 race. The company went on to build more race cars for the 24 hours of LeMans and to break speed records at Daytona. For the general public, a road-going version was available (at a huge price) – the legendary “Bearcat.” In 1919, Harry Stutz left the company bearing his name and started a new company, HCS Motor Car Company. In the mid-20s, the Stutz Motor Company turned its focus to luxurious coach-built models, while staying true to its origins of power and speed. Stutz also created a line of fire trucks during the 20s. The company ceased operations in 1935.
More than a dozen examples of the Stutz automobile were on the show field at the 2021 Hilton Head Concours.
A big shout out to Merry Harlacher, Lindsey Harrell, and the whole HHI Concours team for making the event happen, despite the heavy rains from the day before. A lot of improvising was needed to pull it off, and judging from the smiles of attendees, it was a giant success. Just what was needed after a year of social distancing.
