Wednesday, July 30, 2014

The Concours d'Elegance Returns to Cobble Beach Golf Resort


A car as old as Canada is set to compete in the 2nd annual Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance

The automotive world’s elite collectors are set to return to the shores of Georgian Bay on September 13 and 14 for another installment of the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Hailed as the crème de la crème of car shows in Canada, the second annual Concours will build on the success of its inaugural competition, rolling out a can’t miss lineup of automobiles—including a model dating all the way back to 1867.

The lush fairways and a coastal backdrop of the Cobble Beach Golf Resort will set the stage for this historic celebration. In all, over one hundred examples of rare automotive beauty and ingenuity, curated from some of the most exclusive private collections in North America, will compete head-light to head-light in twenty-one entry categories.

“Cobble Beach is immensely proud of our success in year one. We are committed to creating a lasting, quality show that Canada will be proud of,” says Rob McLeese, founder of the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance. “We are honoured to welcome new celebrity judges and automotive personalities from across the continent in 2014, including former Pebble Beach Concours Chief Judge Ed Gilbertson, New York Times automotive contributor Mary Chapman, and Michael Spezia, Executive Director of the Gilmore Car Museum”

Adored legend Margaret Dunning, a 104-year-young car collector will also return among distinguished guests, Chief Judge John Carlson, Honourary Chief Judge Dr. Paul Sable, and Ed Lucas as Master of Ceremonies. Incidentally, Margaret Dunning will be featured in a new book by first-time Cobble Beach judge Mary Chapman, titled Belle of the Concours.

While the Concours d’Elegance is still in its infancy in Canada, the tradition finds its origins in 17th Century French high-society, where horse-drawn carriages were paraded through the parks of Paris. It is fitting then, given its history, that a steam buggy dating back to the year of confederation in Canada be trotted out for competition as part of the newly minted Museum Class. The Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa will enter their Taylor Steam Buggy, also known as Canada’s first car. In all, four museums will be making contributions with; The Canadian Automotive Museum (Oshawa), Gilmore Car Museum, (Hickory Corners, MI) and the Antique Automobile Club of America – AACA (Hershey, PA) rounding out the group.

Proceeds raised by Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance will go to the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation to fund a state-of-the-art helipad on the rooftop of the Toronto hospital.

McLeese says, “Our inaugural year raised over $50,000 for the Sunnybrook Foundation. We are committed to giving our very best to support this important cause dear to our hearts and community. The Sunnybrook helipad will directly affect Grey County residents by providing trauma cases faster access to medical support, ultimately saving lives.”


Tickets are on sale now. Visit http://www.cobblebeachconcours.com/ for more info.

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