Photo courtesy Kaplan Public Relations[/caption]The Concours d'Elegance of Texas gives area residents the chance to catch a glimpse of rare, valuable and distinctive vehicles from throughout the world on the shores of Lake Conroe.
The three-day event held April 24-26 at La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa on Lake Conroe features more than 150 of the world's most coveted automobiles with some valued at more than $5 million. Two of the featured car classes at this year's event include Porsches and Packards.
"There will be some very unique cars from those classes as well as other classes," said Rod Egan, selection committee chairman for the Concours d'Elegance.
The Concours d'Elegance event begins April 24 with a preview of the vehicles to be featured in the car auction the following day. The preview event includes cocktails and appetizers and allows guests to see many of the vehicles on the La Torretta grounds around Lake Conroe.
"The Friday evening event is the official kickoff and is hosted by Worldwide Auctioneers, which conducts the vintage car auction," Egan said. "It's a nice way for all of the Concours entrants to mingle with car people."
On April 25, Worldwide Auctioneers presents the Houston Classic Car Auction in which preselected buyers bid on classic and rare vehicles. Bidding is expected to total more than $10 million, according to event officials.
"There are many rare cars that people don't normally get to see, if ever," Egan said.
Among the featured vehicles at the event is a 1957 Dual Ghia convertible, one of 101 built. Previous owners of the car include Frank Sinatra, Debbie Reynolds and Joey Bishop. Other vehicles to go on the auction block include a 1955 Moretti 1200 S Spyder, a 1969 Porsche 911S, a museum-quality 1900 Locomobile Model2 Runabout, a 1967 Shelby GT350 supercharged fastback as well as several pre-World War II classics and performance cars.
On April 26 the event's 150 vehicles will be lined up along the 18th hole of La Torretta Golf Course for the formal Concours d'Elegance followed by an awards presentation at 1 p.m.
John Aguillard, the Concours d'Elegance's head of operations, said that although the event's main attraction is the vehicles, the Concourse d'Elegance serves as a nonprofit event to raise money for local charities. Among the area organizations to benefit from profits are Montgomery County Emergency Assistance, Montgomery County Child Protective Services, The Holy Angels residential facility in Shreveport, Louisiana, and the Next Gen education program.
"Next Gen is [an organization] created by the Concours d'Elegance so we could use the vehicles as a way to get boys and girls interested in careers—not necessarily automotive careers—but careers in design, modeling, engineering, math and art."
This year marks the fourth year that La Torretta has hosted the event.
"La Torretta is an all-in-one location," Egan said. "When an entrant or a customers shows up on Thursday or Friday, they can take part in three full days of events and never have to leave the grounds if they don't want to. Everything is right there."
Concours d'Elegance reception and auction preview
April 24, 7 p.m.
$50 per person
The Houston Classic Car Auction presented by Worldwide Auctioneers
April 25, 11 a.m.
$20-$65 per person
Cowboys & Cars dinner and auctions
April 25, 6:30 p.m.
$110 per person
Concours d'Elegance of Texas
April 26, 10 a.m.
$20 per person
Tickets available online at www.concoursoftexas.org.
La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa, 600 La Torretta Blvd., Montgomery
936-448-4400, www.concoursoftexas.org
