1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet Wins ‘Best of Show’
at 2019 Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance
Hilton Head Island, SC (November 3, 2019) - The coveted ‘Best of Show’ was awarded today at the closing event of the 18th annual Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, held at the Port Royal Golf Club on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
The top honor at Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance, ‘Best of Show,’ was awarded to a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet owned by Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Jepson, Jr. of Savannah, GA.
The Best of Show was chosen from the event’s Carolyn Vanagel Best Rolling Art vehicle (1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet owned by Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Jepson, Jr. of Savannah, GA) presented by Ralph Gilles (Head of Design, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.) and Carolyn Vanagel, the event’s President who will be retiring following the 2019 event, Paul Doerring Best Production/Performance vehicle (1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk owned by Mark James of Lancaster, PA) presented by Erik Doerring, Paul Doerring’s son and Best Road & Track vehicle (1953 Jaguar XK120 SE owned by W. Ronald Gaertner, M.D. of Manakin-Sabot, VA) presented by Ray Schaffer, Porsche Classic Market Development Manager, Porsche Cars North America.
Attendees at the event chose a 1929 Ford Station Wagon as their ‘People’s Choice’ winner. Jay Ward from Pixar Animation Studios presented the award to Thomas and Donna Fitzgerald of Selma, NC.
This annual gathering of collectors, enthusiasts and visitors who appreciate the design, technology and beauty of memorable automobiles, boats and motorcycles, is one of the fastest growing automotive lifestyle events in the country. Lindsey Harrell, the event’s Vice President of Operations and incoming President, noted, "we had more vehicles on the show field this year than ever before, and our Concours show field is filling up faster and faster with the country’s finest. And we have already been working on several additions for next year’s event to keep it fresh and exciting for both our visitors and exhibitors. 2020 is set to be another record-breaking year with more in store."
More than 500 vehicles made their way to the Hilton Head Island, South Carolina lowcountry this weekend to participate in the 18th annual Festival. Numerous automotive icons were in attendance including Moray Callum (Vice President, Design, Ford Motor Company), Ralph Gilles (Head of Design, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.), legendary endurance racer Hurley Haywood, Craig Metros (Design Director of North American Trucks and SUVs, Ford Motor Company), Vera Park (Lead Exterior Designer, Jaguar) and Jay Ward (Creative Director of the “Cars” Franchise, Pixar Animation Studios). Renowned collector and NY Times Best Selling author, Clive Cussler and his wife Janet and Bluffton-based collector and long-time exhibitor at the Hilton Head Island Concours were recognized as the 2019 Pinnacle and Honored Collectors.
The 19th annual Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance Motoring Festival is scheduled for October 23 – November 1, 2020. For more information on the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, visit the official website at www.HHIConcours.com.
ABOUT THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE & MOTORING FESTIVAL:
The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival celebrated its 18th year in the fall of 2019. The Festival kicked off with race partner SVRA at the Savannah Speed Classic, October 25 – 27, on the Grand Prize of America road course situated on the property of The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia. The festivities continued on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, November 1 – 3, at both the Hilton Head Island Airport (the Flights & Fancy Aeroport Gala kicks off the Hilton Head Island events on Friday, November 1) and the Port Royal Golf Club, where the Concours d’Elegance (Nov. 3) took center stage. Classic Level Sponsors for the 2019 Festival included the Port Royal Golf Club, The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, BMW, Porsche, Lexus, Castrol, Reliable Carriers, Inc., Mingledorff’s, Dick Broadcasting, the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Hilton Head Island.
For more information, visit www.HHIConcours.com online.
The top honor at Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance, ‘Best of Show,’ was awarded to a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet owned by Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Jepson, Jr. of Savannah, GA.
The Best of Show was chosen from the event’s Carolyn Vanagel Best Rolling Art vehicle (1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet owned by Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Jepson, Jr. of Savannah, GA) presented by Ralph Gilles (Head of Design, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.) and Carolyn Vanagel, the event’s President who will be retiring following the 2019 event, Paul Doerring Best Production/Performance vehicle (1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk owned by Mark James of Lancaster, PA) presented by Erik Doerring, Paul Doerring’s son and Best Road & Track vehicle (1953 Jaguar XK120 SE owned by W. Ronald Gaertner, M.D. of Manakin-Sabot, VA) presented by Ray Schaffer, Porsche Classic Market Development Manager, Porsche Cars North America.
Attendees at the event chose a 1929 Ford Station Wagon as their ‘People’s Choice’ winner. Jay Ward from Pixar Animation Studios presented the award to Thomas and Donna Fitzgerald of Selma, NC.
This annual gathering of collectors, enthusiasts and visitors who appreciate the design, technology and beauty of memorable automobiles, boats and motorcycles, is one of the fastest growing automotive lifestyle events in the country. Lindsey Harrell, the event’s Vice President of Operations and incoming President, noted, "we had more vehicles on the show field this year than ever before, and our Concours show field is filling up faster and faster with the country’s finest. And we have already been working on several additions for next year’s event to keep it fresh and exciting for both our visitors and exhibitors. 2020 is set to be another record-breaking year with more in store."
More than 500 vehicles made their way to the Hilton Head Island, South Carolina lowcountry this weekend to participate in the 18th annual Festival. Numerous automotive icons were in attendance including Moray Callum (Vice President, Design, Ford Motor Company), Ralph Gilles (Head of Design, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.), legendary endurance racer Hurley Haywood, Craig Metros (Design Director of North American Trucks and SUVs, Ford Motor Company), Vera Park (Lead Exterior Designer, Jaguar) and Jay Ward (Creative Director of the “Cars” Franchise, Pixar Animation Studios). Renowned collector and NY Times Best Selling author, Clive Cussler and his wife Janet and Bluffton-based collector and long-time exhibitor at the Hilton Head Island Concours were recognized as the 2019 Pinnacle and Honored Collectors.
The 19th annual Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance Motoring Festival is scheduled for October 23 – November 1, 2020. For more information on the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, visit the official website at www.HHIConcours.com.
ABOUT THE HILTON HEAD ISLAND CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE & MOTORING FESTIVAL:
The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival celebrated its 18th year in the fall of 2019. The Festival kicked off with race partner SVRA at the Savannah Speed Classic, October 25 – 27, on the Grand Prize of America road course situated on the property of The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia. The festivities continued on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, November 1 – 3, at both the Hilton Head Island Airport (the Flights & Fancy Aeroport Gala kicks off the Hilton Head Island events on Friday, November 1) and the Port Royal Golf Club, where the Concours d’Elegance (Nov. 3) took center stage. Classic Level Sponsors for the 2019 Festival included the Port Royal Golf Club, The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, BMW, Porsche, Lexus, Castrol, Reliable Carriers, Inc., Mingledorff’s, Dick Broadcasting, the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Hilton Head Island.
For more information, visit www.HHIConcours.com online.
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