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HomeNews and EventsRare and collectible cars on show at Cincinnati Concours d’ Elegance

Rare and collectible cars on show at Cincinnati Concours d’ Elegance

From Duesenbergs to Indy racers, Andy shares his favorite cars from the Ohio event

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After taking 2020 off, the Cincinnati Concours d’ Elegance was back this past Sunday at the picturesque Ault Park location.

This year’s concours featured a collection of cars that would be at home in some of the biggest concours in the country, with Duesenbergs, historic Indy and endurance racing cars, and just about every other type of rare and collectible car you could imagine.

Rare and collectible cars on show at Cincinnati Concours d’ Elegance
Gary Kessler photo

Take a look at the 2021 class list:

  • AN Antique, through 1924 
  • PV Pre-War Vintage, non-CCCA, 1925-42 
  • CL1 Pre-War Classic Early, CCCA, 1915-35 
  • CL2 Pre-War Classic Late, CCCA, 1936-48 
  • CF Collector – Foreign, 1946-75 
  • CA Collector – American, 1946-68 
  • CAS Collector – Asian, all years CS Sports – Contemporary, 1960-85 
  • SCL Sports – Classic, through 1959 
  • MU American Performance, 1961-71 
  • FC Future Classic, 2000 – present 
  • M Motorcycles, all years 
  • MS – Featured Theme – Motorsports 
  • SDE Jaguar E-Type 60th Anniversary 
  • SDL Lincoln 100th Anniversary 
  • SDM Microcars 
  • SDZ Datsun/Nissan Z 50th Anniversary 
Rare and collectible cars on show at Cincinnati Concours d’ Elegance
1991 Andretti Racing Indy 500 car | Andy Reid photo

One of the most interesting cars among this varied concours field of cars was the 1991 Andretti Racing Indy car, looking exactly as it did when it completed a race, including grease, grime and tire-rubber marks.

Throughout the event, this car always had a crowd around it with people asking questions about the most tremendous racing event in the U.S. this car completed just 2 short weeks before – the 2021 Indy 500.

Another standout set of cars was in the endurance-car display that included a rare BMW E46 V8-powered racing car, a modern BMW IMSA car that won the Daytona 25 a few years back, a Nissan Prototype in Momo sponsor livery and a stunning 1961 Chaparral 1.

Among the full classics in attendance were two serious standouts, both Duesenbergs. The first one I noticed was a one-of-one 1927 Duesenberg Model X Boattail brought to the show by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg  Automobile Museum. The car was stunning from every angle.

The other was what has to be among the most elegant Duesenberg sedans ever, a 1929 model J-118 with a Bowman and Schwartz body.

There were two Best of Show winners, one for racing/sports and one for classic road cars. The winner of the sports/racing car Best of Show was the 1961 Chaparral 1 owned by Bruce Amster and the Best of Show winner for road/full classics was the 1929 Duesenberg J-118 by Bowman and Schwartz, owned by Greg Ornazian and restored by Manns Restoration.

Rare and collectible cars on show at Cincinnati Concours d’ Elegance
2021 Cincinnati Concours d Elegance Best of Show winners | Gary Kessler photo

There were many more great cars, too many to list, but the most interesting thing about the Cincinnati Concours is not the cars but the people it brings together. Despite having cars on a level with the most-acclaimed concours events in the country, the Cincinnati Concours is the friendliest and most welcoming I have attended.

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Andy Reid
Andy Reid
Andy Reid's first car, purchased at age 15, was a 1968 Fiat 124 coupe. His second, obtained by spending his college savings fund, was a 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. Since then, he has owned more than 150 cars—none of them normal or reasonable—as well as numerous classic motorcycles and scooters. A veteran of film, television, advertising and helping to launch a few Internet-based companies, Reid was a columnist for Classic Motorsports magazine for 12 years and has written for several other publications. He is considered an expert in European sports and luxury cars and is a respected concours judge. He lives in Canton, Connecticut.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Hope to see great cars emerge from this world wide pandemic era! I will bring out some of my cars and be participating in polite judging on the show field! Hope to see many friends and new faces!

  2. A fellow that is invoved with the show called me last week about a TR3 I had for sale. I could tell by the way he spoke, he was very proud of the Concours.

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