About
About the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance
A French term that translates to a “competition of elegance,” the Concours d’Elegance is a long-standing tradition in which the finest automobiles in the world are displayed and judged. The event’s origins, however, can be traced to 17th-century Paris, where wealthy aristocrats paraded elegant carriages through city parks on weekends and holidays.
In the U.S., the Concours d’Elegance dates back to 1950, the first year this prestigious event took place at the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey, California. Today that historic event and venue is considered the world’s premier celebration of automotive excellence.
Concours d’Elegance arrived in Las Vegas in 2019 as the 40th sanctioned event to join the roster of Concours exhibitions and competitions around the globe. Founder and chairman Stuart Sobek recognized not only that Las Vegas is a destination teeming with local and visiting fans of upscale classic and modern cars, the city’s dazzling architecture and reputation as the entertainment capital of the world also provide a fitting framework for the beauty of exceptional automobiles.
In 2021 more than 100 magnificent collector cars participated in the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance (LVCE), which culminated in one of the weekend’s most popular events: the Tour d’Elegance, in which participating automobiles were highlighted in a parade on the legendary Las Vegas Strip.
The Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance also has quickly become known for its eagerly anticipated awards. In 2021, the Best of Show Pre-War award was presented to Michael Sullivan of Cheyenne, Wyoming, for his 1936 Packard Gentlemen’s Tailback Speedster, while Best of Show Post-War was awarded to Michael Hammer of Carpinteria, California, for his 1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III.
In addition, we are pleased to present annual Helene Awards, named for famed automotive designer Helene Rother. In 2021, we presented this honor to Peter Brock for his lifetime of achievements in the automotive industry and to author and engineer Constance Smith for her contribution to education in the automotive industry.
In 2022 we are pleased to join forces with the award-winning Wynn Las Vegas as the host site of the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance. This multiyear partnership promises to shine a spotlight on our increasingly expanding event for many years to come.
Emcee Ed Lucas
Often referred to as “the Voice of Concours,” Ed Lucas has spent 20 years as master of ceremonies, color commentator and announcer at national collector car shows, concours and important vehicle auctions around the country. Some of the concours events he has been involved with include the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, the Chicago International Concours d’Elegance, The Concours on Rodeo, Keels and Wheels, The Greenbrier, Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and now the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance!
Now Ed brings his unparalleled knowledge of automobiles, their stories and the collectors who own them to the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance, where his unforgettable voice will guide us through an afternoon journey of fun, elegance and history at the most anticipated event of the year.
The 2022 Helene Awards
The Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance is pleased to honor outstanding individuals and automobiles with its annual Helene Awards. Each year we highlight those who have made a genuine impact on the automotive industry with honorary Helene Awards; this year the presentation of honorary awards will take place on Friday, October 28 at XS at Encore. At the conclusion of the Concours d’Elegance exhibition on Saturday, October 29, two Helene Awards will be presented to exceptional automobiles in two categories: “Best in Show Pre-War” and “Best in Show Post-War.”
Born in Maranello, Italy, Monica Zanetti grew up in the world of motor sports, joining Ferrari on February 1, 1979, at the age of 15 and becoming one of the first women to work in production for the legendary Italian automaker. Ms. Zanetti is also distinguished as the first woman to be trained in the complete assembly line of a Ferrari. As a result, in 1987 Ms. Zanetti joined three mechanics in the construction of the Ferrari F40, the first time in history a woman took part in a design and assembly project. The first 500 units were commissioned by Enzo Ferrari and engineer Nicola Materazzi, and today the F40 remains one of the most important Ferrari cars ever produced.
In 2002 Ms. Zanetti joined Maserati to work on its iconic Corse Collection and became part of the MC12 project as Head of Spare Parts and Warehouse Logistics, both on-site and on the track. Today Ms. Zanetti lives in Modena Italy, where she is one of the partners of Scuderia Belle Epoque, the vintage Formula One race team.
Carroll Hall Shelby (January 11, 1923 – May 10, 2012) was an American automotive designer, racing driver, and entrepreneur. Shelby is best known for his involvement with the AC Cobra and Mustang for Ford Motor Company, which he modified during the late 1960s and early 2000s. He established Shelby American in 1962 to manufacture and market performance vehicles. His autobiography, The Carroll Shelby Story, was published in 1967. As a race car driver, his highlight was as a co-driver of the winning 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans entry.
Shelby was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1992, the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1992, and the Diecast Hall of Fame in 2009. He was also inducted into the SCCA Hall of Fame on March 2, 2013.
This year the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance is also pleased to present a Helene Award to a venue: the Petersen Automotive Museum, located in Los Angeles. One of the world’s largest museums devoted to automotive design, the Petersen occupies an entire city block and houses more than 300 automobiles, motorcycles and trucks between its exhibition space and vault. Founded in 1994 by magazine publisher Robert E. Petersen and his wife, Margie, the museum traces the history of automotive design and highlights the role of the automobile in popular culture, including a variety of cars seen in film and television.
More than 100 vehicles are typically on display at the Petersen throughout its 25 galleries, which also put an emphasis on the car culture of southern California. Educational programs for children, teens and adults are likewise key to the Petersen’s offerings, from the history of the automobile to learning the basics of automotive mechanics and more. Finally, the Petersen is easily recognized in Los Angeles by the modernist design of its façade, conceptualized in 2015 by New York architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox.
Tailor your Concours d’Elegance weekend experience with a package that combine the events that suit your wish list and style.
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