I am pleased to report that the very first appearance of our club on the field of the Concours d’Elegance of America on July 25 (the 42nd annual event) was a smashing success. Here are just a few of the highlights:
Three of the four chase vehicles selected for the Hagerty Motoring Tour belonged to JAGM members: Chuck Diamond, Dominic Federico and Marco Sperduti (all pristine E-Types).
48 people attended our awards dinner on Saturday night. Both the food and the camaraderie were outstanding!
There were a total of 59 JAGM members present at COA (not bad for a club that has only 120 members).
21 Jaguars took the field at COA – by far the most cars from a single marque – and our cars ranged from a 1938 3.5L drophead saloon to a 2021 F-Type.
An estimated 10,000 classic car fans attended this event at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan.
It is no understatement to say that JAGM and Jaguar made a huge impression on the people in attendance at COA this year (although this is the first year of our attendance, we have a long, rich history of organizing premier concours events). And three of our members won People’s Choice Awards (and two others were just two votes short). The honorees (in alphabetical order) are:
John Boswell – 1938 Jaguar 3.5L DH Saloon
Loren Brooks – 1959 Jaguar XK150S
Conrad Foster – 1966 E-Type OTS
Tom Hudak – 1967 E-Type FHC
Terry Larson – 1959 Omega Jaguar
I want to thank both the JAGM BOD and the JLR of Troy dealership for supporting us this year. It was a very big financial risk and could not have been done without both the club and the dealership pulling together to make it happen. Special appreciation goes to:
Chuck Diamond, who acted as my co-chairman;
Louise Diamond, who quietly made Chuck and I look like heroes;
David Fischer, Jr., who wrote the check from JLR of Troy;
Terry Larson, who allowed us to present his 1959 Omega; and
Dave & Lori Wathen, who brought two exquisite cars onto the field.
The 2021 COA event is one for the record books – and one that will be fondly remembered by a long list of JAGM members. Thank you for making it such a success!
Gary H. Cunningham