As just about any motorsports or automobile industry aficionado can tell you, car shows are a big deal. From household brands showing off hot concepts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, to private collectors putting their hottest rides on display at the local cruise night, auto shows are part and parcel of car culture. And now, Las Vegas is looking to get in on more of the action with the recently launched Concours d’Elegance Wynn Las Vegas auto show.
Arguably, the biggest collector’s auto show is the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance show in California. Each year, hundreds of cars are put on display and judged. You’ll find many other hot rides too around town even if they’re not officially being judges. Typically, well more than 10,000 people will attend the event. In the years ahead the Las Vegas show might give Pebble Beach a run for its money.
The First Concours d’Elegance Wynn Las Vegas auto show attracted 230 show vehicles, an excellent number for a fledgling event. The crowd was a bit sparser compared to Pebble Beach, but for those who attended, that was quite arguably a benefit. Rather than fighting through crowds, attendees got to get close and personal with vehicles and owners. Retired late-night host Jay Leno, one of the most well-known car collectors, served as Grand Marshall for the event.
Some of the hottest rides at the show included a 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 and a 1960 Maserati Tipo 61. Jaguar, Cadillac, Lamborghini, many other brands and models were also on hand. Ultimately, a 1933 Duesenberg “20 Grand” won the show award for best pre-World War II vehicle. A 1951 Delahaye 235 received the nod for best post-war vehicle.
