A great article in Avanti Magazine about the ’63 Avanti that resides here at MFD Classic Motors!
By Lewis Schucart
Avanti Magazine Editor
PLYMOUTH, Mich. – The Concours d’Elegance of America was held at the Inn at St. John’s on Sunday, July 28t, 2013. The show featured “invitation only” world class vehicles showcased on the grounds of this magnificent facility, and the fourth Avanti produced joined the stellar lineup.
This year’s event included a tribute for London to Brighton, Auburn/Cords, electric cars: past, present and future, Jet Age vehicles, 50th Anniversary of the 1963 Studebaker Avanti, the 1963 split-window Corvette, and the Porsche 911.
AOAI members Mike and Dawn Fisher of Traverse City, Mich., had their white R2 automatic Avanti transported to the show by Adam L. Hammer. The Fishers were not able to be at the show, but nevertheless, their Avantu won a purple ribbon the Lion’s Award in their class for Americvan postwar cars from 1960 to 1970.
The Fishers acquired their ’63 Avanti at the Gooding & Company auction in January in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Avanti Magazine #161).
The Best in Show American Car went to the 1933 Chrysler Imperial Dual Cowl Phaeton.
In 2013, the Concours d”elegance paid tribute to the cars that were in the movie “The Great Race.”
In addition to the cars were giclee prints, which are reproductions made from original art and an invitational art exhibit tent.
Prior to the Sunday concours, RM Auctions held an indoor event that featured three models from the Studebaker. A 1941 Studebaker Commander DeLux-Tone Sedan sold for $29,700; 1958 Packard Hawk sold for &88,000; and a 1957 Packard Clipper Country Sedan station wagon solve for $44,000.
A 1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual-Cowl Phaeton solve for %682,000 and was the top-selling vehicle. Other top sellers include a 1932 Packard Individual Custom Eight Convertible Victoria for $374,000, a 1932 Packard Twin Six Sport Phaeton for $330,000 and a 1933 Marmon Sixteen Five-Passeneger Sedan for $330,000.
Sunday’s exhibition capped several days of concours events, including an Automotive Hall of Fame induction and awards event on Thursday, tours of two private car collections in the area on Friday, an auction of collectibles on Saturday and a Saturday night gala.
