Out of more than 300 classic cars entered in the 50th annual Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance, it was a super-collectible Mercedes-Benz that was named Best in Show.
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Forest Grove, the 50th annual Concours d’Elegance was held July 21, featuring an extensive lineup of meticulously preserved, world-class automobiles. The competition is the Rotary Club’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Far from the underdog in the competition, the 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer additionally took first place among Classic Open Cars dated from 1916-1935 and was named the Best Open Car. It was entered by Bruce McCaw and restored by Vintage Racing Motors, a company located in Redmond, Washington, which specializes in restoring classic cars. It also holds Best in Show titles from the at Pebble Beach and Hampton Court Concours.
Looking beyond the striking blue and silver exterior and its numerous accolades, the car carries an exciting history that begins with an English nobleman.
One of only 137 ever made and 40 remaining in the world today, the car was commissioned by Francis Curzon, who later inherited the title Lord Howe, Vintage Racing Motors’ collections manager John Schommer said.
“When the new Mercedes Benz S-Type, designed by Ferdinand Porsche, was announced, (Lord Howe) ordered one and had the coachwork built by Barker, the coach builder of the King,” Schommer said. “This chassis was originally shown at the 1927 London Motor Show.”
The body is made of aluminum, part of which is polished while the rest is painted in Curzon blue — Lord Howe’s family colors, which harken back to his father’s horse racing stable.
Though a co-founder of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, Lord Howe didn’t get into racing until relatively late in life.
“Lord Howe was found guilty of speeding 21 times between 1904 and 1921,” Schommer said. “On the last occasion, the magistrate told him he should try racing. He was 44 years old and did so.”
Lord Howe then went on to win the 24 Hours of Lemans and the Mille Miglia, and successfully campaigned to raise England’s national speed limit.
“He was an important figure in the car world, the military, car racing, and for his constituents,” Schommer said.
Restoring the car took several years of research and labor, and preparations to show it in Forest Grove began in August 2023 when it was sent to New Jersey to have the engine rebuilt, and returned with just a week to spare.
“During this week I drove the car every day to break it in and resolve finishing details,” Schommer said. “When you consider all the transport, tour, various movements, and planning, it’s quite an investment and worth every penny.”
Classic car shows give people a chance to return to their youth, their parents’ youth or to hop in a time machine and experience an entirely new era. The fun is gathering people with like minds and hobbies together in one place to share their passion for these vehicles, Schommer said.
“These cars represent another time,” Schommer said. “The technology, the designs, the culture, are all reflections of days long gone by.”
Most Popular
Comments / 0