The Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance’s top honor, “Best of Show,” was awarded on November 4 to a 1938 Jaguar SS Coupé owned by Frank and Milli Ricciardelli of Monmouth Beach, N.J. The Ricciardellis were featured at this year’s event as the inaugural Honored Collector – a designation awarded for their dedication to the automobile collector hobby and to the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance. The Ricciardellis have previously won both the Best of Show title in 2009 (1933 Rolls-Royce Coupé) and People’s Choice in 2004 (1935 Duesenberg). Their latest winner, the ’38 Jaguar, is a special-bodied, one-off coupé by Swiss coachbuilder Hermann Graber.
Other significant awards on Sunday included “People’s Choice,” awarded to a 1931 Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Spider Corsa owned by Corrado Lopresto of Milan, Italy. Before Mr. Lopresto purchased the car in 2011, records indicate, that after a series of accidents and eight owners, the car was purchased by Giuseppe Aprile in August 1938 for 4,000 lire. It was suspected that Aprile showed Mario Revelli (the designer) the damaged chassis and designed the body that is fitted to it today. Following its purchase in 2011, the car underwent a complete restoration, including help from the Milano Institute of Engineering and Technology to duplicate the correct colors. Mr. Lopresto also previously received the Best of Show title in 2010 with his 1942 Alfa Romeo 6C2500 SS.
Most Outstanding Car – Pre 1948 went to Bill Alley’s 1905 Packard Model W5 Passenger Touring and Most Outstanding Car – Post 1948 went to a 1957 Chrysler 300C Convertible owned by John and Lynn Cote. Paul Doerring, the Festival’s Chairman Emeritus, said, “We had, in totality, a larger, higher quality show field this year. Receiving more applications than ever before, we had to turn down a number of wonderful candidates. Needless to say, we have a good start to filling the 2013 Concours d’Elegance, and this year’s top honors are some of the best examples of what a Concours-caliber car truly is. We are extremely proud to add them to Hilton Head Island’s history book.” Adding to the sentiment, Carolyn Vanagel, the Festival’s President, said, “I can’t wait to see the cars on exhibit next year!”
More than 500 automobiles made their way to the Hilton Head Island to participate in the 11th annual Festival. Bob Lutz, former Vice Chairman for General Motors served as the Honorary Chairman and participated at events on Hilton Head Island and noted drivers such as Hurley Haywood, Brian Redman, Tommy Milner, David Donohue and Elliott Forbes-Robinson participated at the Savannah Speed Classic’s Stars of American Racing panel discussion.
