Contemporary Sports Cars at Ault Park

The Contemporary Sports Cars class at the Ault Park Concours d'Elegance includes those made between 1960 and 1985. This was a classic time for sports cars from around the world and that highlighted by the cars on display this year. A 1968 Chevy Corvette Convertible, with a VIN of 00002 is the earliest known C 3 Vette to exist.

An earlier 1966 Corvette Coupe was also part of this class along with a 1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible, a 1973 Porsche 911 E, a 1963 Austin-Healey 1300 MkII, a 1969 Jaguar E Type Fixed Head Coupe, a 1967 Morgan 4/4 Roadster, a 1965 Morgan Plus 4 Plus, a 1972 Fiat 124 Spider, a 1985 Pininfarina Spider Europa which was the only model made under the famed Italian designer and builder's company name, a 1972 DeTomasso Panther, a 1977 Ferrari 512 BB, 1968 Ferrari 330 GTC, and the third of a beautiful triumvirate of Vettes.

Later Pre-War Classics

I want to start the week by posting the cars that were in the Pre-War Classics Late class at this year's Ault Park Concours d'Elegance. Those cars leading into World War II had become more refined as automotive technology advanced. But many still had the earmarks of coach built classics. Included in this class was a 1939 Packard Twelve 1707 Formal Sedan which was the last V-12 model built by Packard.

Also part of this class was a 1937 Packard Super Eight Convertible Coupe, a a 1938 Packard 1608 Twelve Convertible Sedan, a 1937 Cord 812 Beverly, a 1940 Packard Super Eight Convertible Coupe, and a 1937 Packard Super Eight LWB (long wheel base) Touring.

Early Pre-War Classics at Ault Park

Prior to World War II was a golden era for automobiles with some of the most majestic cars ever being made. This class is always filled with exceptional examples at the Ault Park Concours d'Elegance. Featured in this class was a Best of Show winner, this 1928 Auburn 8-88 Boattail Speeder.

This class also featured a stunning 1935 Packard 745 Roadster, a 1930 Cord L 29 Convertible Coupe, a 1931 Duesenberg J Rollston Convertible Victoria, a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe Murphy, a 1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster, a 1948 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith,  a 1947 Chrysler Town and Country Convertible, a 1932 Pierce Arrow Model 54 Club Broughm Coupe, a 1929 Auburn 8-90 Cabriolet, and a 1931 Chrysler CG Imperial Roadster.

Foreign Collectors at Ault Park

The Foreign Collector class at the Ault Park Concours d'Elegance isn't necessarily limited to cars coming from Europe but that usually is the case. This year was no exception and the class included this magnificent 1953 Aston Martin DB2 Drophead Coupe, one of only 97 made. This car won Best in Show at the 2001 Road America.

Also featured was this 1972 BMW 2002 tii which was the car that basically saved the company, a brilliant 1956 BMW Isetta 300, a V-12 powered 1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, a very rare 1960 Hillman Minx 111A Convertible, a 1982 Porsche 928, and a 1971 MG B/GT.

Asian Collectors at Ault Park

Cars made in Asia, particularly in Japan, are commonplace in the USA these days but that wasn't always the case. For that reason the Ault Park Concours d'Elegance always features an Asian Collector class that features some magnificent automobiles. One example was this 1986 Toyota MR2 which proved that Japan could make a fun, sporty two seater.

Also part of this class was a rare 1960 Datsun 1200 Sedan, a 1960 Datsun Pick Up Truck, a fabulous 1963 Datsun Fairlady 1200 Roadster, a 1972 Honda Z600 which was the first Honda mass marketed to the USA, and a 1991 Honda Prelude Si with under 6800 original miles.

American Collectors at Ault Park

There are always some magnificent cars in the American Collector Class at the Ault Park Concours d'Elegance. This class features cars manufactured between the end of World War II and 1968. There was a fabulous looking 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe Convertible which took Best in Class at the 2008 Plymouth Owner's Club Grand Nationals.

Also on the lawn was this first generation 1953 Chevy Bel Air Convertible, a 1959 Plymouth Sport Fury Hardtop which is one of fewer than 100 known to exist, a 1968 Chevy Impala Station Wagon, a 1948 Packard 2206 Custom Eight Club Sedan, a 1950 Muntz Jet Convertible which won Best in Class here this year, a 1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk, a 1949 Willys-Overland Jeepster, a 1956 Lincoln Continental Mk II, and a 1952 Chevy Bel Air 2 Door Hardtop.