The inaugural Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance at Wynn Las Vegas occurred October 28 through October 30 at Wynn Golf Club. Inclusive of 15 judged classes and 230 automobiles representing the past, present and future, Saturday’s main exhibition awarded two exemplary vehicles its most prestigious honor, Best of Show. Award categories were Best Pre-War and Best Post-War; one winner was selected for each category.
“This weekend’s Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance surpassed expectations and featured some incredible moments and automobiles,” says Brian Gullbrants, president of Wynn Las Vegas. “Saturday’s exhibition ended with the awarding of two ‘Best of Show’ winners that match the excellence and distinction of Wynn Las Vegas in every way. We’re privileged to have showcased them, and all others present.”
Best of Show winners include:
Best of Show Pre-War: 1933 Duesenberg “20 Grand,” presented by The Nethercutt Collection. Arguably the most famous of all Duesenbergs, this 1933 model SJ Arlington Torpedo Sedan was the factory show car for the “Century of Progress” 1933-1934 Chicago World’s Fair. The car was the hit of the fair due to its color, styling and asking price of $20,000 during the height of the Great Depression, when most cars typically cost $600-$800. It became knowns as the “Twenty Grand” car.
Best of Show Post-War: 1951 Delahaye 235, presented by Peter and Merle Mullin of the Mullin Museum. The Delahaye 235 was an exclusive sports car that combined both the luxury of pre-war handcraft with post-war technological innovation. Produced between 1951 and 1954 by French manufacturer Delahaye, this car was the fifth of a total of only 84 produced.
“The one-of-a-kind 1933 Duesenberg SJ Arlington Torpedo Sedan ’20 Grand’ was awarded Best of Show amongst an incredible lineup of vehicles,” says Helen Nethercutt, Chairman of The Nethercutt Collection. “She remains a fan favorite amongst all automotive and Concours enthusiasts and owns the competition status of ‘undefeated’. We could not have asked for a better show – we look forward to next year.”
“We are honored to receive the Best of Show Award from the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance,” says Mullin Automotive Museum Founder Peter Mullin. “Las Vegas has quickly become a standout event for automotive enthusiasts, and we’re thrilled to be recognized by some of the world’s most passionate collectors.”
Saturday’s exhibition showcased modern hypercars and antique classics from luxury manufacturers such as Bugatti, Czinger, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, McLaren, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. The first Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance event at Wynn Las Vegas also featured a pre-exhibition black-tie gala on Friday, Oct. 28, in which respected and celebrated individuals from the automotive community were presented a Helene Award. This year’s honorees were The Nethercutt Collection, Petersen Automotive Museum, Monica Zanetti, formerly of Ferrari, and Carroll Shelby – whose award was posthumously accepted by grandson Aaron Shelby. The weekend concluded with a motorcade down the Las Vegas Strip, the Tour d’Elegance, on Sunday, Oct. 30. Sunday’s parade and Saturday’s centerpiece exhibition featured appearances by grand marshal and car enthusiast Jay Leno.
For complete 2022 information, and more on next year’s event, please visit www.lasvegasconcours.com.
