8th-annual 2009 Winter Park Concours D'Elegance

November 10, 12:43 AMOrlando Auto ExaminerMichael Block

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Orlando Auto Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Overall-winning 1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III/Photo © Michael Block

The 8th annual Winter Park Concours D'Elegance took place yesterday on Park Avenue, a brick road that meanders through upscale downtown Winter Park.

Splendid weather invited thousands of automotive enthusiasts to come out and view the selection of over 120 exotic and specialty cars on display.

The show began at 10am as the gates opened to the general public.

All types of cars from all types of enthusiasts were on display. 

Heavily-customized 1949 Mercury Comet/Photo © Michael Block

Starting from the south end of Park Avenue, the display of old American steel was first, including Shelby Mustang GT500s, a 1957 Ford Thunderbird, late-60s Camaro Z28s, a 1957 Chevy Nomad, and a 1962 Cadillac Eldorado. Easily the most unique car in the show, however, was a 1949 Mercury Comet with a slew of various parts on it, including a front bumper from a Cadillac Eldorado and headlights from a 1960s Mercedes SL roadster. It was painted a bright green which the owner says he created himself.

Italian cars were on display in flamboyant passion, as always. Many Ferraris, including several 328s, a 360 and 430, and a rare maroon 550 Maranello made their appearance. Thrown in as a wildcard was a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT with a Chevy 350 engine and turbo 400 transmission. A Countach, a Diablo, a Gallardo, and a race-version Murcielago all represented Lamborghini.

Exquisitely-restored Jaguar XK120/Photo © Michael Block

British motoring had a strong presence as well, including many Rolls-Royce and Bentley models of both modern and vintage eras, including a brand-new Bentley Continental Supersports coupe. Several Austin-Healeys were present, as well as a few Aston Martins like a DB7 Vantage and a DBS, and also a handful of Morgans including a Plus 8. Lotus had several Elises and an Exige S. Jaguar showed off not one but two XJ220s, one silver and one burgundy, and XK120 models, including a red one restored to breathtaking condition and an original, unrestored black one.

New Porsche Panamera Turbo/Photo © Michael Block

The Germans seemed to have outdone themselves this year. Porsche had boocoos of 911s, including an impossible-to-miss green 1970s Carrera RS, a 996 GT3, and a 1989 Speedster in such flawless condition that it only had 630 miles on it. More vintage Porsches included many types of 356s of all years, and a 914. Porsche of Orlando, one of the sponsors of the event, also brought two examples of the controversial new Panamera four-door coupe. Mercedes-Benz was the other German force to be reckoned with. Another sponsor, Mercedes-Benz of Orlando, displayed many new models like two McLaren SLRs (one coupe and one convertible), and a full line of 6.3 AMG models in C, S, and SL models. The vintage Mercedes included several 1970s SL models, and, a return from last year and without a doubt the most valuable car in the whole show, a restored 300SL Gullwing which has been family-owned since new. 

Unique Goggomobil microcar/Photo © Michael Block

Other remarkable entries include a 1972 Indy car; several cars from the early days of motoring were present as well, including two Duesenbergs, an Oakland, and one of the earliest electric cars; finally, three microcars including two BMW Isettas and a very rare Goggomobil ensured that frugality and enthusiasm can be mutually inclusive.

At 3:30pm, the winners of the show were revealed. They are as follows:

People's Choice: An immaculately-restored late-1950s Mercedes 190SL coupe
Judges' Choice: An original green Lotus 7 roadster with a Cosworth engine
Overall Winner: A dark grey 1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III V12

The winning Rolls-Royce Phantom III, number 3DL56, is owned by J.W. Millegan. After purchasing it in 2003, Mr. Millegan had a complete body-off-frame restoration done in 2004 and 2005, and the car won 1st in class for pre-war Rolls-Royces at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance.

Congratulations to J.W. Millegan for a well-deserved win with a beautiful and extraordinary automobile!

This was the 8th, biggest, and best year of the Winter Park Concours D'Elegance. Over 30 sponsors helped make the event a reality this year, including the presenting sponsor Lexus of Orlando. Finally, two charities benefitted greatly from the event's proceeds: the Winter Park Community Center which gives educational scholarships to economically disadvantaged youth, and The Orlando Ballet, which aims to broaden Winter Park's cultural horizons through ballet dancing.

Quickly becoming one of the most prestigious and nationally-recognized concours events in the country, the event can only grow from here. Next year should be even better.