Gleaming Iron in the Desert Sun-2014 Desert Classic

March 18, 2014
Story By
Tom Stahler

Palm Desert, CA — Life is just better on the West Coast. While the Eastern and Midwestern United States dug itself out of another snowstorm and prayed for a thaw, this community saw the seventh installment of the Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance under perfect skies and cozy temperatures. Strolling on bent grass looking at incredible iron trumps a snow shovel any day. "This year's Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance was the best ever. Not only was the weather perfect, but the crowds and caliber of cars entered, as well as in the Car Club Corral, were second to none," said Paul Merrigan, founder and organizer. "Everyone from our sponsors like the Desert Princess Homes at Desert Princess Country Club, Desert Princess Country Club, and Cuistot Restaurant, to our many volunteers, helped make it a success." Best in Show Honors went to a well-known frequent winner, Aaron and Valerie Weiss’ 1933 Packard 1005 Convertible Coupe—the same car that won at the Dana Point Concours last spring.

A Concours d'Elegance is not your typical car show. The cars are amazing, competition is fierce, and judging is meticulous. The cars in each category, depending on entrants, are inspected in detail against a stringent set of expectations for the cars' appearance, provenance, condition and upkeep. Proximity to original condition is a real key--as restorations can sometimes be apparent and keeping a 60 year old car in mint condition is quite a feat. Like many events this year that will celebrate 100 years of Maserati, the Desert Classic had its share with the stunning 2006 MC-12 Supercar from the collection at the Riverside International Automotive Museum, flanked by a Bora, a 1968 Mexico 4.7 and a 1970 Indy 4.9.

Prewar cars gleamed in the desert sun and included Ronald and Sandra Hansen’s 1922 Duesenberg Model A Dual Cowl Phaeton, and Fredrick Lax’ 1930 Cadillac V16 Model 452 convertible. Awards were presented by Grand Marshal Tony Adamowicz, whose storied racing history was partially represented by Jonathan Sieger’s Millstone Racing Porsche 911—a period-correct replica of Adamowicz’s 1968 Trans-Am Under 2.0-liter championship car.

A special treat included a display of original Myers Manx VW-powered dune buggies including the very first 1964 “Old Red” with Bruce Meyers on hand, talking to fans of the West Coast icons. A midday formation/acrobatic air show by the multi-plane Tiger Squadron wowed the crowds right before the award ceremonies.

Competition cars, classics, supercars, vintage and modern beauty all intermingled on the fairways of the Desert Princess Country Club and Resort, a beautiful setting and a large crowd made for both happy promoters and enthusiasts.

Gleaming Iron in the Desert Sun-2014 Desert Classic

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