2022 JAGM Concours d'Elegance
Pictures to fololow:
On Saturday, August 20th, JAGM held its 54th annual JAGM Concours d’Elegance at the Somerset Inn in Troy. The weather was hot and humid. Between the forecast (chance of thunderstorms), the gusty breezes, and the approaching and passing dark clouds, entrants were glancing up often and considering what to do if the skies opened up. Luckily, that never happened until well after the crowd moved inside for awards and dinner. The cars stayed clean and dry!
The weekend started Friday evening with 23 members and guests meeting for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the Somerset Inn Hospitality Suite. The Inn’s selection of food was creative and delicious, and as always the conversation and laughs flowed as freely as the cocktails.
Saturday started with sun and blue skies, and it surprised me how quick and easy it was to cross Woodward Avenue on Dream Cruise weekend at 8:00 a.m.! As the entrants came into the Somerset Inn it was great to see so many club members pitching in to help first-time Concours chairman Mark Griffith make the event run smoothly. Registration, hospitality, parking—everything was like clockwork. You would have thought we’d done this before; maybe 53 times or so!
During the day I talked to a few Jaguar owners who were not JAGM members but had heard about the Concours and decided to check it out. I know at least one of them joined up that very day. As the time for judging approached, so did the threatening clouds from time to time, but somehow they always managed to slip around us.
A relatively light field of twelve cars was judged in the Championship or Driven classes. Those included visiting entrants from Ohio, Wisconsin, and Virginia. One of the visitors was John Boswell, president of JCNA, who also stepped in to assist with judging. These were joined by 9 cars in the Display class.
Outside activity broke up around 3:30 and everyone moved inside for the presentation of awards, including the following special awards:
Most Improved went to Bob Klemmer. His E-Type score improved by 2.84 points from 2021 to 2022.
Murphy’s Law went to Marco Sperduti, who contracted COVID-19 two days before the Concours.
People’s Choice went to John Boswell and his 1938 SS Jaguar 3.5l DHC.
The Prince of Darkness award also went to John Boswell, as the fuel pump on his car overheated and needed a “rest,” luckily only after reaching the display area of the show.
After the awards were presented, 24 participants enjoyed dinner at the Somerset, lasting into the night. As always, thanks to everyone who worked to make this great annual event a success. Especially our team of judges, including Acting Chief Judge Tim Moore, and of course Concours Chairman Mark Griffith.
Gary Hillebrand