Tuesday, August 14th, was the day for the first Carmel-By-the-Sea Concours on the Avenue, a major event put on by Doug Freedman, a major event promoter. Tuesday, of course, was early in the week of all the major events leading to the Pebble Beach Concours on Sunday, the 19th. We were fortunate to learn of this event and entered my 60 Imperial cvt, and our 60 Chrysler 300F hardtop. The Imperial was placed in the American Luxury Class and the F in the Muscle Car Class.
Also in the class with my car was a 1957 Imperial Southampton 2 door hdtp owned by William M. O'Brien, and a 1959 IMperial Crown Convertible owned by William Madden of Asheville, North Carolina. The restoration had just been completed, black with a tan interior. Really an outstanding restoration and a real crowd favorite. Timo Tinskanen was responsible for the resto. and he was there at the show. So, THREE beautiful Imperials displayed at a really impressive show. I was very proud to see Imperials getting the praise and the exposure they deserve. A 53 Cad El dorado cvt,, a 55 Cad El dorado cvt, a 49 bright red Packard cvt, another beautifully restored car, a black 47 Cadillac Sedanette(fastback) that was so fresh and original looking, and it was billed as being an original, unrestored car, and a 1959 Oldsmobile four door hdtop with 22,000 original miles and it is amazingly "as new".
As it turned out, the 59 Imperial received first in class honors and my 60 cvt received the third place awards. Awards were large, medium, and small engraved circular trays from Tiffany's. This is to inform not brag, though I was very, very happy to get an award at all competing with cars in that class. My car is now a three year old restoration and it is no longer a trailer queen. I drive it to shows now so there is wear here and there. Second went to the 59 Olds which also received the Best Original trophy.
Later I was really bowled over when my car received one of the "major awards" and I got to drive up across the platform to receive the trophy. Now, get this--the award was for "the automobile that best represents the era when American cars turned heads around the world" and named the Erik T. Bethel American Excellence Award. I didn't meet nor do I know who Erik T. Bethel is but most likely a major sponsor of the event.
So, everyone, all of us as proud Imperial Owners, we own and drive cars that we know are "head turners", but it certainly is great news to have this recognized by judges at a major concours. Aren't you proud? I am, certainly because my car was chosen for the award, but really moreso that our wonderful, eccentric, wildly beautiful, etc., etc cars are recognized and receiving well deserved praise for the great cars they are!!!!!
We plan to show cars there next year if get accepted. Hope so. The show is Tuesday, August 12th, 2008, in Carmel by the Sea, right in the middle of town on Ocean Avenue stretching about 6 blocks or so. If you're around that part of California around then, plan on seeing the show. It covered cars form the 40s, 50s, 60s(American Family Favorites), American Sport--Corvette, British and European Family Favorites, British and European Luxury Class, British Sport, German Sport, Historic Race, Hot rod, Micro Car, and a few more, so definitely something for most everyone. Also a class celebrating the 50th Anniversary of 1957 Cars which included a Mercury Colony Park wagon, and a Pontiac Chieftain 4 dr wagon(not a Safari)
Yes, I have rambled on and many of you gave up reading long ago., but I wanted to give a sense of what kind of special, grand show it was especially since Imperials were so prominently featured and recognized.
Henry Hopkins
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