The 7th Annual Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance Was The Best Car Show To See
May 1st, Beverly Hills, California –
By Svetlana Krapivina, photo: Mikhail Urubkov
What happens when the best car show takes place in the historic Doheny Greystone Estate with over a dozen films shot there? That’s when you have the most successful event in Beverly Hills.
On May 1st a sold out crowd of thousands of auto aficionados and urban explorers gathered at Greystone Mansion for this elegant event where these exceptional 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 BMWR100 was named Best Custom Motorcycle and a 1954 BMW R 51/3 was named Best Preservation Motorcycle.
“This is the 7th year of the event and was easily our most successful ever. 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. We thank our attendees and gracious sponsors for all of their support.” Local artist Richard Pietruska, a highly respected professor at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, was commissioned to create custom Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance signature awards. The sculptured awards capture the essence of speed and movement of the more exotic automobiles of the past as well as the present. The forms are exaggerated and curved to dramatize the unique character and quality of each automobile as it flows through space.
The Pietruska awards were given in 18 Best of Class categories and in two Best of Show categories. Nine Special Automobile Awards and three Motorcycle Awards were presented as well. 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. Other world class automobiles were featured in categories for Alfa Romeo, Cadillac-LaSalle, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Grand Touring, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Morgan, Packard, Porsche, Post-war American, Post-war British, Pre-war American, Pre-war European, Shelby and Special Interest.
Guests of this premier Southern California concours event also enjoyed gourmet food, libations from Tito’s, Stella Artois and Asombroso Fine Tequila and desserts by Sugarfina. Guests also enjoyed expert-led lectures with Peyman Salehi, Senior Vice President of Private Client Services at City National Bank, and David Gooding, President of Gooding & Company, one of the world’s foremost automotive auction companies, and British Wheeler Dealer television personality Mike Brewer. Unique access to the interior of Greystone Mansion provided guests with a glimpse of rarely-seen rooms and the mansion’s first floor became a shopper’s delight, with a new automotive artist display upstairs.
The event’s Founding Sponsors are Friends of Greystone and Gooding & Company. Silver Sponsors include: Asombroso Fine Tequilas, the Auto Gallery, Bouchon, B.R.M., Beverly Hills Conference and Visitor’s Bureau, Chronographs, Chubb, City National Bank, Meguiar’s, Stella Artois, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Sotheby’s International Realty. Bronze sponsors include: Burke Williams Spa, Corvette Mike, Ferrari Beverly Hills, Ferrari Financial Services, Fibersteel, FIVA/HVA, Harry’s Auto Collisions Center, Intercity Lines, Inc., Jerry Leigh, L’Esperance Design, Longshot Espresso Bar, Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel, Michelle Psychic Reader, the Montage of Beverly Hills, Poltrona Frau, Sage Iconic, Sugarfina. Other sponsors: Highline Autos, LA Confidential, Vintage Motorsport, Southern California Region Classic Car Club of America; Vintage Roadcar, Sports Car Market, An Catering, Battistoni, Il Fornaio, Palm Restaurant, Private Chef Network, DOMA, Fleming’s, Voss, California D’Esclans.
Here is the full list:
Automobiles – Best of Class
Alfa Romeo, Ian Wayne, 1965 Guilia Sprint Speciale
Cadillac-LaSalle, Fred Lax, 1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster
Corvette, Jack Bianchi, 1962 Chevrolet Corvette
Ferrari, Adrien Labi, 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4
Ford, Spencer Woolcott, 1966 Ford Mustang GT
Grand Touring, Robert Frumkin, 1954 Chrysler Ghia GS Special
Jaguar, Arthur Cook,1955 Jaguar XK140 MC Drop Head Coupe
Mercedes-Benz, Dannie & Craig McLaughlin 1957 M-B 300 SL Roadster
Morgan – Edward Berghino, 1935 Morgan Super Sport
Packard, Lianne & Dana Graham, 1929 645 Dual Cowl Phaeton
Porsche, Stan Gold, 1952 Porsche 356 America Roadster
Post-war American, Randy Kunes, 1953 Chrysler New Yorker
Post-war British – Craig & Hanne Ekberg, 1952 Allard J2X
Preservation, Victor Priesler, 1967 Porsche, 911S
Pre-war American, Greg Vanley, 1923 Duesenberg Model A Touring
Pre-war European, Bruce Meyer, 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux
Shelby – Tomy Drissi, 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra
Special Interest – Alan & Wendy Hart, 1958 Fiat-Abarth 750- GT Coupe
Automobiles – Special Awards
BRM Award – Richard Zeiger, 1941 Lincoln Continental
Corvette Mike Award, Jaime Gesundheit, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette
FIVA Award, Brandon Adrian, 1967 Alfa Romeo GTA/P 1600 Corsa
HVA “THIS CAR MATTERS” Award – Mark Haddawy, 1961 Ferrari 250 SWB Berlinetta
Meguiars Outstanding Paint, Kip Cyprus, 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
Director’s Choice, Jim Gianopulos, 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Convertible
FOG Outstanding Restoration – Art Cragnotti, 1956 Mercury Montclair
Mayor’s Choice, Aaron & Valerie Weiss, 1931 Chrysler Imperial CG Dual Cowl Phaeton
Spirit of Greystone, Gary Severns, 1932 Lincoln KB Roadster
Automobiles – Best of Show
Best of Show Concours de Sport, Ron Hein, 1961 Alfa Romeo Sprint Zagato Coda Tronca
Best of Show Concours d’Elegance , Ron & Sandy Hansen, 1903 Thomas Model 18
Motorcycles
Best Vintage Motorcycle, Serge Bueno, 1939 Brough Superior SS 80
Best Custom Motorcycle, Chris & Rebecca Canterbury, 1980 BMW R100
Best Preservation Motorcycle, Eugene Carson, 1954 BMW R 51/3
