Early Mercedes Benz Sports Cars at the Cincinnati Concours

 

With Mercedes Benz being the featured marque at this year's Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance it was pretty obvious that there were going to be some sports cars. And there were plenty. They were divided into three classes. This one is cars from 1955 through 1971 and includes what many see as the ultimate Mercedes sports car, a 1955 300 SL Gullwing coupe. Priced new at $6820, the car has a three-liter inline six-cylinder engine that makes 215 horsepower. At the time this was the fastest production car being made, topping out at 162 miles per hour. This car won the Best of Show Esprit de Sport.

This 1967 250 SL was one of about 5000 ever produced. The car has a 2.49-liter inline six-cylinder engine that puts out 148 horsepower. The current owner of this car bought it from the former owner of the Cincinnati Reds and found, in the trunk, a pennant from the 1975 World Series Champion season.

The original price of this 280 SL was $7900. It was the last of the "pagoda" removable hard tops. The car has a 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine that generates 195 horsepower. This is enough power to get it from zero to 60 in 7.6 seconds and gives it a top speed of 128 miles per hour.

A little fewer than 13,000 280 SLs were produced for the American market between 1967 and 1971, and this 1968 model is one of them. This car has been in the same family since new. It sports a 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine.

The entry level Mercedes sports car back in 1960 was this 190 SL. It was something of a "younger sibling" of the famed 300 SL. It has a 1.9-liter inline four-cylinder engine that puts out 104 horsepower. This is a European spec car.

Intended as the successor to the 190 SL and 300 SL models, this 1965 230 SL introduced the removeable "pagoda" top. It runs on a 2.3-liter inline six-cylinder engine that churns out 150 horsepower. It was the first sports car with an engineered "safety body."

Another European spec car with metric dials and Euro headlights, this is a 1960 190 SL. This one was a limited production six speed manual transmission. Otherwise, the underpinnings are the same as the 190 seen above. 

Early Pre-War Mercedes at the Cincinnati Concours

Mercedes Benz was the featured marque at this year's Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance. Seven different classes were presented on the grass at historic Alt Park with the oldest, pre-war vehicles getting a lot of the attention. Among them was the Best in Show winner, a 1936 540K Spezial Roadster. The K in the name stands for Kompressor which designates that this car has a supercharger. According to the owner, this car was found tucked away in a barn in Switzerland where it was being hidden from the Nazis. It has a 5.4-liter inline eight-cylinder engine that generates 180 horsepower.

 Perhaps the most unique vehicle on the Alt Park lawn was this Mercedes ordered replica of the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen. This is largely considered to be the first true, practical automobile. This belt driven motorized tricycle has a 53 cubic inch, single cylinder four-stroke engine. It generates two-thirds of one horsepower.

This large luxury car is a 1938 320 Cabriolet B. Its numbers matching engine is a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder power plant that produces 73 horsepower.

An Honored Collector at the Cincinnati Concours

 

In 2005 when their daughter was getting married, Larry and Carol Pumphry, through a twist of fate, discovered Packards. This led to some research and then to collecting various 1937 12-cylinder Packard automobile. As is their tradition, the Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance celebrated the Pumphrys and their Packards as this year's Honored Collector with a special exhibit. Among the 1937 Packards on display was a Twelve 1508 LeBaron. When new this car cost $5900 and sports a 473 cubic inch engine that puts out 173 horsepower. This car has been a winner at the famed Pebble Beach Concourse d'Elegance.

Sitting on a long 144-inch frame, this Twelve 1508 seven passenger was once considered a parts car before the decision to restore and save it. It has the same 473 cubic inch V 12 engine.

Here is a Twelve 1507 convertible coupe that is number 238 of 1300 Packards manufactured in 1937. It is one of only 69 convertible coupes that were made with only about 25 still known to exist. It, too, has the same 473 cubic inch engine.

This Twelve 1507 Victoria convertible is one of 45 to have been produced in 1937 and one of only 12 or so known to still exist. Sporting the same 473 cubic inch V 12 engine it also features "Safe-T-Flex" independent front coil suspension. 

Future Classics at the Cincinnati Concours

 

It is often difficult to predict which cars are going to eventually be considered a classic. Did people at the time realize the impact the Ford Mustang would have or how long the Chevrolet Corvette would continue to enthrall drivers? Maybe, but nothing could be certain. The Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance, like others around the world, try to predict which cars will be future classics and have created a class for their best guesses. The Future Classics class included a 2016 BMW M4 GTS. Only 803 of these were built world-wide. It sports a 3.0 liter inline six-cylinder engine that pours out 493 horsepower. This allows the car to go from zero to 60 in 3.6 seconds and to hit a top speed of 190 miles per hour. Note that this top speed is electronically limited.

Here is a 2019 Porsche GT3 RS Coupe. These cars were made for only one year and sport a 4.0 liter flat/boxer six-cylinder engine that churns out 520 horsepower. This carries the car from zero to 60 in 2.8 seconds and achieves a top speed of 197 miles per hour.

When Dodge introduced the Viper in 1992 it sent shock waves through the automotive industry. Here was the first new American sports car in ages. This 2016 model is an American Club Racing (ACR) version that runs on an 8.4 liter V 10 engine that powers out 645 horsepower, giving it a top speed of 177 miler per hour.

Introduced in 2001, the Aston Martin Vanquish became the latest in a long line of luxury sports cars from this British car maker. Here is a 2014 model. It has a naturally aspirated six liter V 12 engine that has 565 horsepower. It can go from zero to 100 kilometers (or 62 miles) per hour in 3.9 seconds, hitting a top speed of 186 miles per hour. The luxury is evident in the fact that the interior took seven hides and over one million stitches to make.

A true super car, this 2017 Pagani Huayra roadster uses a six-liter V 12 engine specially designed by Mercedes-AMG for this car. It puts out 750 horsepower which allows it to go from zero to 60 in 2.8 seconds and to reach a top speed of 238 miles per hour. 

Based on their 1960s race cars, this 2024 Ferrari Daytona SP 3 is part of the company's Icona series. Only 599 were made at a price of $2.25 million each. It has a mid-mounted 6.5-liter V 12 engine that is the most powerful internal combustion engine the company has ever made, putting out 829 horsepower. This allows the car to scoot from zero to 60 in 2.85 seconds and to reach a top speed of 211 miles per hour.

Here is a 2012 Aston Martin V 12 Vantage. It has a six-cylinder V 12 engine that produces 510 horsepower giving it 510 horsepower. That's good enough for a zero to 62 time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 190 horsepower. This car has been featured in movies.

This is a 2025 Ferrari Purosangue. This is the Italian car maker's first four door, four seat production car. Don't think it's your typical family car, though. This gem is powered by a 6.5-liter V 12 that pushes 715 horsepower. It can go from zero to 60 in 3.3 seconds and has a top speed of 193 miles per hour. That's getting to the grocery store in a hurry.

Here is a 2026 Porsche GT3 touring. It is based on their GT3 track car and features a four-liter flat/boxer six-cylinder engine that generates 504 horsepower. It can go from zero to sixty in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 194 miles per hour.

This is a 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista, the last of the fully gas powered, track oriented V 8 Ferraris. Pista means "track" in Italian and this car was made to honor the many racing successes for the company. It runs on a 3.9-liter twin turbo V 8 and pounds out 711 horsepower. It has a zero to 60 time of 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 211 miles per hour.

Called the "Last Call" to honor the last of the V 8 Dodge automobiles, this 2022 Charger Scat Pack Widebody has a 392 cubic inch V 8 engine that achieves 485 horsepower. These cars came standard with only a front seat. The rear seat was an option that cost a whopping $1. 

Sports Cars at the Cincinnati Concours

 

Sports cars have always fascinated people. The thought of going fast and zipping through curves makes a lot of people smile. The organizers of the Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance are no different. They have stocked their Contemporary Sports class with some excellent vehicles, including a 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulla Spider Veloce. These were the last of Alfa's classic series 101. This particular car is #853 of a limited edition of 1091. It sports a 1570 cc inline four-cylinder engine that generates 128 horsepower.

How do you follow a legend? Well, for Jaguar it was with the XJS. This 1994 convertible was near the end of a 21-year production run that started by using the E Type's V 12 engine. By the time this car hit the road they had switched to a four liter inline six-cylinder power plant that churned out 219 horsepower.

Speaking of the legend, this is it, a Jaguar E Type, which was marketed in the USA as a XKE, the XK being an engine designation. This is at the end of the Series 1 cars and is often referred to as a Series 1A. Its engine is a 3.8 liter inline six-cylinder.

Here is another British road going gem, a 1967 Austin Healey 3000. Over 3000 of these were built in 1967 with most being exported to the USA. It is referred to as a "Big Healey" because, instead of a four-cylinder engine, it has a 2912 cc inline six-cylinder motor that churns out 150 horsepower.

Another British 1967 model is this Lotus Elan Series 3 SE. This car exemplifies the Lotus principle of "Simplify, then add lightness." It has a 1558 inline four-cylinder engine that punches above its weight class making 126 horsepower.

A mix of Italian design and American muscle created this 1970 DeTomaso Mangusta. The "Mongoose" has stunning Italian influenced design that was penned by American Peter Brock and sports a Ford sourced 3.0 liter inline six-cylinder engine that pours out 493 horsepower. Only 401 were ever produced with an estimated 250 remaining.

Here is a 1973 Porsche Carrera 2.7 RS. These cars were built for homologation in Group 4 racing. This is one of the first batch of 500 made and it is driven by a 2.7 liter, rear mounted flat or boxer style six-cylinder engine that makes 210 horsepower.

This is a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet. With a 3164 cc, rear mounted flat/boxer six-cylinder engine that spits out 282 horsepower, it's little surprise that the current owner attends rallies with this car.

Later Full Classics at the Cincinnati Concours

 

The Classic Car Club of America has been honoring what they consider to be full classic automobiles since 1951. The look at cars built between 1915 and 1948 and have chosen those they feel are, essentially, the best of the best. The Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance always has classes for these cars and, in fact, breaks them into early and late classics. The Late Classic class are cars from 1936 through 1948, and this year included a 1938 Packard Darrin convertible Victoria. This Darrin coach body was only put on 120 Packard frames. This car was built for Hollywood actress Sally Rand. It has a 320 cubic inch inline eight-cylinder engine that puts out 120 horsepower.

This is a 1931 Stutz DV32 MA convertible coupe. It hasn't been driven on the road since 1938 and the current owner purchased it out of storage in 2024, giving it a full restoration. The engine is a 322 cubic inch, dual overhead cam, inline eight-cylinder power plant that generates 165 horsepower. The car was guaranteed to go 100 miles per hour.

There are several fairly unique features to this 1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton. The Cord was one of the first front wheel drive automobiles. It was also one of the first to adapt hydraulics and to have flip up headlights. The car has a 289 cubic inch V 8 engine that generates 175 horsepower.

Dubbed the "Standard in the World" for luxury, this 1947 Cadillac Series 62 Club coupe had an original price tag of $2500. It sports its original engine, a 325 cubic inch V 8 engine that creates 150 horsepower.

There were only 50 1937 Cadillac V-16 Imperial convertible sedans with bodywork by Fleetwood ever built and this is one that survived. Its 154-inch wheelbase was the longest of any American car at the time. It is powered by a 452 cubic inch V 16-cylinder engine that puts out 185 horsepower. It's original price of $8150 was twice that of the average home at the time.

It's rare for a car to be heralded by a museum but the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr Continental cabriolet was so honored by none other than the Museum of Modern Art. The prototype for this car was Edsel Ford's personal vehicle. This is one of 350 ever built and one of only 30 still known to exist. It runs on a 292 cubic inch V 12 that churns out 120 horsepower. 

This 1936 Auburn 852 Phaeton marked the final year of production for the Auburn Automobile Company. What is so interesting about this model is that the grandfather of the current owner was instrumental in the car's design. It has a 280 cubic inch inline eight-cylinder engine that generates 150 horsepower. 

Early Full Classics at the Cincinnati Concours

The Classic Car Club of America was founded in 1951 with the idea of honoring certain pre-war automobiles the club deemed as significant. These cars they have come to call Full Classics. The cars can be from the USA or from foreign countries but must be manufactured between 1915 and 1948. There are exceptions for pre-1915 cars but nothing beyond the cut off year. The Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance holds two classes for CCCA recognized autos with the earliest being cars from 1915 through 1935. This class included a 1932 Packard 902 Deluxe 8 dual cowl phaeton. There were 955 of these cars built but only 50 sported this body style. It is powered by a 385 cubic inch inline eight-cylinder engine which generates 135 horsepower. The average car in 1932 cost $650 but this model sold for $4000.

Manufactured in the United States, this 1929 Rolls Royce Springfield Phaeton has a 7.7 liter inline six-cylinder engine that puts out 108 horsepower. It was made specifically for the North American market and has an all-aluminum body.

Only 30 of these 1932 Chrysler CL6 Roadsters were ever built and fewer than 12 are known to still exist. With a 146-inch wheelbase, this car was bodied by LaBaron. It sports a 223 cubic inch inline six-cylinder engine that puts out 82 horsepower. It has a vacuum controlled clutch.

Housed at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, IN, this 1932 Duesenberg J. Murphy Boattail Speedster was once owned by J. Paul Getty. It originally cost $15,000. It is powered by a 420 cubic inch inline eight-cylinder engine and puts out 265 horsepower which allows a top speed of 119 miles per hour.

This is a 1930 Cadillac 452 V-16 roadster. The V-16 signifies that it has 16 cylinders in its 452 cubic inch engine. That engine generates 175 horsepower and also 320 foot pounds of low-end torque. It needs that power since it weighs over 5000 pounds. This car originally cost $6000.