Hillsborough 2016
60 year legacy
August 2016
One of the most exciting days of the 7th year of my existence was riding to the Hillsborough Concours de Elegance with Willie, the ever suffering ‘porter’ from my father’s Buick dealership in San Francisco. Willie was in charge of keeping track of me and my 4 brothers so my father could attend to the 1961 Ferrari 250 SWB he was displaying that year. It was my first visit and I’m happy to say I’ve wandered through the show for most of the ensuing years.
This year marked the 60th anniversary of Hillsborough and that accomplishment establishes the show as the longest consecutively running Concours in the United States. Quite a landmark. The show’s standing has meandered from national respect to regional mediocrity but has been on the rise over the last few years due to its gorgeous newish location on the grounds of the Crystal Springs Golf Course and an substantial increase in the quality of entrants.
With Mercedes-Benz being a featured marque this year, I decided to enter a client’s spectacular survivor 31k mile 280SE 4.5 and had a wonderful day chatting with clients and enthusiast from around the SF Bay Area. Despite gently lobbying the judges to value the car’s extraordinary originality over shiny restorations, the spotless 542 dark red 108 sedan was not a ribbon winner.
If you plan to be in the area July 16, 2017 be sure to visit the show. For all the details visit the Concours’ site.
Highlights of Hillsborough 2016
roy spencer/editor mercedesheritage
photography/mercedesheritage
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The MB Classic Center’s competition fintail has been thrashed at most of the great tracks in Europe. -
The Classic Center’s list of guest drivers is impressive: note Mr. Coulthard, Mr. Maas, Mr Ludwig Ms. Lohr... -
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SLS Gullwing fronts the MB Classic Center’s epic competition 220SE fin. -
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MBCA's STAR magazine editor Gary Anderson (L) and dedicated MB enthusiast Ralph Moceo soak up the concours vibe. -
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Your author ready to ambush the judges. -
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The SL Class was filled with lovely cars but featured examples from just three of the 5 eligible generations . -
The ex-Harrahs 500K ‘Spezial’ Roadster requires extra horn power to clear mere mortals out of its way. -
1938 320 Cab A wires mixing with Crystal Springs pristine grounds. -
Fabulous generally unrestored 500K from the Academy of Art University was my favorite of the day. -
Early arrival for a 190SL. -
Ralph Moceo idles his gorgeous 291 dark olive 280SE onto the lawn. -
Freshly restored by Burlingame Motors in Burlingame, this 1962 190SL makes an early entry to the show. Was 2nd in class. -
My client’s 542 dark red 31k mile 1972 280SE 4.5 sedan. Original paint and...original everything. -
The gorgeous Bruce Canepa restored 1960 300SL of John Ficcarta scored the SL Class 1st place. -
I sold this lovely Italian original 5-speed 280SL a few years ago. Owner Craig Hartman takes care of final details.