HHIMF to Feature European Classics

The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance, one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing automotive and motorsports enthusiast events, today announced the Honored Marque for its 15th annual festival. The 2016 Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival (HHIMF) will pay homage to the 1925 – 1948 era of European Classics. With the 2016 events scheduled for Oct. 28 – Nov. 6, the HHIMF is one of only a few national automotive gatherings to combine collecting and racing with enthusiast and lifestyle activities in a single, action-packed week.

Hilton Head Festival of Motoring and Concours To Feature European Classics

Working strictly on the Classic Car Club of America’s designation, marques such as Bugatti, Hispano-Suiza, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Alfa Romeo will line the fairways of the Port Royal Golf Club on Hilton Head Island during the Concours portion of the festival, being held Sunday, Nov. 6.  Three classes have been dedicated to this year’s Honored Marque: one for Roadsters; one for Phaetons; one for Sedans.

“The artistic styling, overwhelming elegance and rich history of these cars made them, as a whole, a worthy selection as this year’s Honored Marque,” said Carolyn Vanagel, president of the HHIMF. “By celebrating this era in European history, we’re celebrating some of the amazing survival stories of World War II. The fact that these cars survived such destruction and devastation is, in and of itself, miraculous.”

Offering a wide breadth of makes and models with this unique formula, this year’s Honored Marque is already attracting notable names in the collector hobby. Cars from the renowned collections of Judge Joseph and Margie Cassini, III (the event’s 2015 Best of Show owners), John Haulbrook, Dr. Wellington Morton, William and Christine Snyder and Dr. Richard Workman’s Rare Wheels Collection are anticipated to compete.

This is not the first time the HHIMF has selected a grouping of cars as its Honored Marque. In 2008, Brass Era cars were featured, and in 2006, the Cars of Indiana paid tribute to America’s place in automotive manufacturing before the days of mass production.

In addition to the Honored Marque, the HHIMF will also celebrate American Cars of 1956, 60 years of Fiat 850 and 124 Spyder and, for display only, offer a special tribute to the Anderson, a South Carolina-made car celebrating its Centennial this year.

Other signature events on the 2016 HHIMF schedule include:

  • The Savannah Speed Classic, kicking off this year’s HHIMF, held Oct. 28 – 30 at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa with more than 175 racers and the new Food Truck Festival.
  • The Hilton Head Island Auction by Auctions America, returning for its second year after selling over $5 million in its inaugural year. The 2016 auction will offer approximately 125 cars.

For more information on the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance, visit the official website at www.HHIMotoringFestival.com. Tickets for the 2016 HHIMF will be available for sale online late spring 2016.

Staff