Canada’s car enthusiasts have been keeping a secret from the rest of us. It involves hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of automotive art, some of the best scenery this province has to offer, and one heck of a party. For the second year in a row, the romance of the international Concours d’Elegance is coming to the shores of Georgian Bay, offering a rare opportunity for anyone to take in the most pristine automobiles on display anywhere in Canada.
Dating back to 17th century French high-society, this famed-celebration of automotive excellence curates immaculate examples of automobiles from the last 100 years in a competition spanning 21 categories. Participating cars are held to a once every four years appearance standard, meaning the Concours has an entirely new stable of prestigious autos on display—cars that won’t be around again for almost half a decade. General admission tickets are $40, and VIP packages range up to $1200, with an option to fly direct to the Bruce Peninsula on Porter Airlines.
“Cobble Beach is immensely proud of our success in year one. We are committed to creating a lasting, quality show that Canadians can be proud of. Our growth is shown by the quality of Judges and automotive personalities we have attracted from across the continent in 2014, including former Pebble Beach Concours Chief Judge Ed Gilbertson, New York Times automotive contributor Mary Chapman, and Michael Spezia, Executive Director of the Gilmore Car Museum”
Lush fairways and windswept coastal vistas provide a backdrop worthy of the automotive craftsmanship, including an 1867 Seth Taylor on display from the Canada Science and Technology Museum. This steam propelled buggy lays claim as the oldest car in Canada (and some argue the world) and is part of a Cobble's innovative Museum Class, that also features a 1963 Ford Mustang II Prototype from the Detroit Historical Society. What better way to honor the iconic Mustang’s 50th anniversary than trotting out the one version that is 51-years old? Rounding out the new museum class are contributions from the AACA Museum out of Hershey PA, the Classic Car Club of America cars housed at the Gilmore Car Museum of Hickory Corners MI and Oshawa’s own Canadian Automotive Museum.
Other notable gems exhibited along the 18-hole links golf course will include the obscure, stunning 1936 Delahaye Type 135, which is one of three surviving Figoni short-chassis coupes; 2 Ferrari Dinos, including one that was originally purchased by the renowned drummer Thomas Radtkeand, and a 1957 Messerschmitt KR201, the rarest of the productions models offered by Messerschmitt, with only 304 units ever made.
Proceeds raised by Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance will go to The Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation to fund a state-of-the-art helipad on the rooftop of the Toronto hospital. “We are deeply grateful that Sunnybrook’s helipad project is the beneficiary of proceeds raised by Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Up to 300 of Sunnybrook’s trauma patients arrive by helicopter each year and that includes Grey County residents and visitors. Currently, paramedics and trauma staff must co-ordinate with a land ambulance to transfer patients 500 metres from our existing helipad to the trauma room. Building a helipad on the roof of our emergency department will give patients the best chance possible when every second counts” says Dr. Jon Dellandrea The Sunnybrook Foundation President and CEO.
