Porsche will Shine at NorCal’s Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance
Restoration outfit Canepa Motorsports will bring an impressive assortment of rare models to the show, happening July 21.
Porsche enthusiasts who visit the 64th annual Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance in Burlingame, California, will get an extra dose of awesomeness this year, as the brand was selected to be the featured marque for 2019. Hillsborough is the longest continuously running Concours in the world, which is a significant achievement that gives the Northern California event some extra prestige.
With this year’s event focusing on Porsche, famed collector Bruce Canepa will bring several of his own models to the show, which include a 917/10, 935, 962, 959SC, and a 918 Spyder. Canepa has a rich history with the brand, as his performance at the 1979 24 Hours of Daytona inspired Porsche to supply his team with a brand-new 935 for the rest of that season.
Hillsborough will be judging about 200 vehicles, with the Porsche brand being divided into six distinct classes: Porsche 356, Porsche 911/912/930/959 Air Cooled, Porsche 911 Water Cooled through 2009, Porsche Front-Engine 924/928/944, Porsche Mid-Engine 914/Boxster/Cayman, and Porsche Racing. And, of course, there will be vehicles from other manufacturers as well.
The show itself takes place on July 21 at the Crystal Springs Golf Club. There are two significant events taking place before the main event that are worth mentioning. On July 19, the “Concours Kick-Off Party” will mark the official start of Hillsborough with a charity cocktail reception. It will take place at The Candy Store car club, an exclusive venue that features a substantial collection of classic cars not viewable by the public. To make things even sweeter, Canepa will speak to attendees about his career and how the Porsche brand has impacted him. His personal 917 will also make an appearance.
Enthusiasts can also participate in the 19th annual Tour d’Elegance, which is a drive that will undoubtedly feature many collectible cars. The tour will follow a route meant to highlight some of the best roads the Bay Area has to offer. In addition to the base driving experience, several stops are structured into the drive, presumably to take advantage of the northern California scenery. After the tour, a gourmet lunch will be provided at a private estate. The tour isn’t by any means an exclusive event and non-Concours participants are welcome.
The 64th annual Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance is obviously the main attraction, and this year it will feature 24 judged classes of collectible cars from all eras and from a diverse group of manufacturers. A panel of world renowned experts will convene to determine which cars deserve recognition, and of course the “Best of Show” award will highlight the single model deemed most worthy of appreciation. In addition to the classic Porsche models, confirmed entries include a 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SuperSport, a 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic, and a 1971 American Motors AMX.
“Each year, our goal is to provide Concours patrons with an exceptional showcase of the world’s most stunning collector cars, from American muscle to exotics to elegant luxury cars to racers,” said Concours Chairman Richard Kelaita. “Thanks to an unprecedented number of submissions, this year’s display will be our best ever in terms of variety and excellence. No matter what an enthusiast’s passion may be, we’ll have something for everyone.”
The 2019 Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance will be a superb event for Porsche aficionados. A bevy of important models will make a rare appearance at the show. And for those interested in a more exclusive experience, the charity kick off cocktail party seems like a truly unique window into the world of vintage automotive collections. Aspiring collectors would be wise to attend the show in order to gain an appreciation of the community and the people responsible for keeping car culture alive for future generations.
Photos: Hillsboroughconcours.org