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This Week: Best of Show Ferrari 410 Superamerica | Liberty Bell Awards | Cool Cars for Kids | Judging Rare Ferraris | The Six-Door Mercedes 600
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A Weekend Where Automotive Excellence Met an Incredible Cause
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What do a Liberty Bell plaque, a bald eagle trophy, and a 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica have in common?
As it turns out, they were all part of one unforgettable weekend at the Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance.
Held at the beautiful Liberty Hill, this year’s event brought together some of the finest automobiles in the country, passionate enthusiasts, and a charitable mission that reminds us why events like this matter. It was a weekend filled with incredible cars, great friends, meaningful conversations, and one remarkable fact that stayed with me long after the engines went quiet.
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This year’s event was especially meaningful because Chief Judge Tim McNair, a longtime friend, recurring guest on The Collector Car Podcast and contributor to The Enthusiast’s Guide to Collector Cars, personally invited me to join the judging team.
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Tim has worked tirelessly to help make the Philadelphia Concours one of the premier concours events in the country, and it was an honor to serve as Chief Class Judge for our class if outstanding Ferraris.
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More Than Just a Car Show
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The event itself was expertly led by Brett Mezrow and his team, whose passion and dedication were evident throughout the weekend. More importantly, the concours serves a mission far greater than automobiles. Through the generosity of attendees, sponsors, donors, and participants, the weekend generated a six-figure sum for Cool Cars for Kids, an incredible organization dedicated to supporting children and families battling rare diseases.
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Friday evening’s charity dinner set the tone for the entire weekend. Surrounded by collectors, enthusiasts, industry leaders, and supporters of the event’s charitable mission, the evening was a celebration not only of great automobiles but also of the generosity and camaraderie that make this hobby so special.
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One fact shared during the evening particularly resonated with me: approximately 7% of newborn children are born with some type of medical condition requiring immediate care. It was a sobering reminder that while we gather around beautiful automobiles, the true purpose of the weekend is helping children and families facing challenges that most of us can hardly imagine. Knowing that every bid, donation, and contribution would directly support that mission made the evening even more meaningful.
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Liberty Hill and a Touch of Philadelphia History
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On Saturday, the concours field came alive on the beautiful grounds of Liberty Hill. Philadelphia is where our nation took shape, and that sense of history was reflected throughout the event. Even the awards carried a distinctly Philadelphia character.
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Class-winning plaques were adorned with the iconic Liberty Bell, while class champions received striking trophies featuring a bald eagle with its wings spread wide. They were some of the most unique and memorable concours awards I’ve seen and served as a fitting tribute to the city’s rich history.
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I had the privilege of leading an outstanding Ferrari judging team as we evaluated some truly remarkable automobiles from Maranello. Joining me were fellow judges Jeff Schroeder and Cal Cassida, whose knowledge, experience, and attention to detail made for thoughtful discussions throughout the day.
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The quality of the field was exceptional, and our conversations often went far beyond score sheets and specifications. Like many great judging experiences, the process involved equal parts research, observation, and appreciation for the history behind each automobile.
Among the standouts was an extraordinary 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica. Powerful, elegant, and incredibly rare, it represented everything that makes vintage Ferraris so captivating. As judging concluded, it became clear that this was a very special automobile.
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The 410 Superamerica earned top honors within its class and then went on to achieve the highest recognition of the weekend: Best of Show.
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A Mercedes-Benz 600, a Ferrari, and a Future Reunion
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One of the more entertaining conversations of the weekend came while speaking with the caretaker of the 410 Superamerica. He mentioned that the owner had commissioned a custom six-door Mercedes-Benz 600 limousine that was built to complement the Ferrari with the same paint scheme and interior.
Naturally, I suggested that he ought to tow the Ferrari with it.
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The image of a six-door Mercedes-Benz 600 pulling a Ferrari 410 Superamerica is the kind of automotive absurdity that would probably break the internet.
As fate would have it, just two weeks later while attending the Eyes On Design concours in Michigan, I unexpectedly came across that very Mercedes-Benz 600 limousine on the show field. Unfortunately, the Ferrari wasn’t parked next to it, so readers will have to wait a few weeks until I can share my attempt to put the pair together in an imaginable way. Trust me, it will be worth the wait.
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That’s the Real Best of Show
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Watching the Best of Show presentation was a fitting conclusion to an exceptional event. After a day spent evaluating some of Ferrari’s finest automobiles alongside Jeff Schroeder and Cal Cassida, seeing the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica recognized as Best of Show felt like the perfect ending to a memorable weekend.
It wasn’t simply a beautiful car; it was a significant piece of automotive history and presented at the highest level.
So what do a Liberty Bell plaque, a bald eagle trophy, and a 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica have in common?
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On the surface, they represent a fantastic concours weekend in Philadelphia.
But they also represent something much bigger.
They symbolize a community that can celebrate automotive excellence while generating a six-figure sum to help children and families facing extraordinary medical challenges.
That’s the real Best of Show. Ok, that was a little hokey but it’s true.
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A sincere thank you to Brett Mezrow, Tim McNair, the organizers, volunteers, fellow judges, entrants, sponsors, and attendees who made the weekend possible. From the charity dinner to the concours field, from Liberty Bell plaques to eagle-topped trophies, the Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance once again proved that some of the most important things in the collector car hobby have nothing to do with cars at all.
Until the next concours, keep driving, keep preserving, and keep sharing your passion with the next generation. If I don’t see you next week at the Ferrari’s Annual Meet, you can catch me this Thursday on The Collector Car Podcast.
#CollectorCarPodcast #PhiladelphiaConcours #Ferrari410Superamerica #CoolCarsForKids #ConcoursDElegance #Ferrari #LibertyHill #AutomotiveHistory #CollectorCars #CarCulture
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Need Help With Your Collector Car?
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If you’re considering selling a collector car and would like guidance, I’m always happy to help.
Whether it’s a blue-chip car for a live auction or a modern enthusiast car better suited for an online format, just reply to this email and I’ll personally walk you through the options, timing, and next steps.
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New Podcast Episodes Every Thursday
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Then catch up on some of my previous blogs:
As always, thanks for listening, watching, liking and sharing fun automotive content. I will talk to all of you next week!
Greg Stanley
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