Arizona’s stunning February climate supplied the right setting for a colourful show of automobiles and tradition. The annual “Concours within the Hills” in Fountain Hills, about 30 miles from Phoenix, happened on Sunday, February 18 from 10:00 a.m. to three:00 p.m. The venue attracted excess of simply automobiles – it was residence to over 100 distributors, in addition to meals vans, leisure, and even plane. The centerpiece for the occasion was the 560-foot-tall water fountain that at one time was the world’s tallest.

Better of all, this was a present with a charitable trigger: As in prior years, the beneficiary was Phoenix Youngsters’s Hospital. In 2023, the occasion raised greater than $480,000, and primarily based on the crowds and automobiles I witnessed, this 12 months simply met or exceeded that determine. Final 12 months’s occasion protection may be discovered right here.

Autos got here from throughout the area and have been entered (and parked) in keeping with the eight common classes:

• Different Gas
• Asian
• Home
• European
• Navy
• Motorbikes
• Off-road
• Race Vehicles

Admission was free for spectators, and I spent a while having fun with the surroundings. Six of my favourite automobiles on show have been as follows, in ascending order by mannequin 12 months:

1966 Chevrolet Corvette

This C2 stood out to me for its originality and thorough presentation. It was completed in a surprising Trophy Blue paint end with matching blue vinyl upholstery. It had a numbers-matching big-block 427cid V8 mated to a four-speed guide transmission and was a well-optioned automotive, full with a Positraction rear finish, energy brakes, energy steering, and an upgraded suspension. Better of all, the proprietor had documentation again to the unique proprietor in addition to a window sticker and Defend-O-Plate.

1974 Triumph TR6

These British-built roadsters are extremely collectible at the moment, and this one seemed extremely properly stored. It was powered by a 2.5-liter inline-six. One fascinating factor concerning the automotive was that its coloration configuration was not unique: In line with a certification doc from the British Motor Business Heritage Belief, the automotive was constructed on December 17, 1973, and was initially completed in French Blue with a black inside. It was dispatched to a dealership in Newark, New Jersey on January 8, 1974. What an ideal alternative to showcase this attractive automotive across the anniversary of its 50^th birthday.

1990 Audi S2

One other eye-catcher in crimson paint was this sporty German-built three-door liftback coupe. The S2 was important as a result of it was the primary mannequin within the Audi “S” lineup. This instance was reportedly 1 of solely 847 imported to the USA in 1990 and was powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four paired with a later-model six-speed guide transmission. The enhancements proceed from there, together with a short-shift package, a Porsche Boxster S entrance brake conversion, and H&R reducing springs. I wager this automotive drove in addition to it seemed!

1995 Ferrari 348 Spider

It looks like most of those have been completed in crimson, so once I got here throughout this beautiful black instance, it was worthy of a re-examination. The 348 was certainly one of Ferrari’s legendary sports activities automobiles and it was manufactured in Maranello, Italy between 1989 and 1995. The convertible variant, named Spider, got here out in 1993 and got here with body-colored decrease cladding, a particular engine cowl, and a manual-folding gentle high. Energy for this instance got here from a 320-horsepower 3.4-liter V8 mated to a five-speed guide transmission. On show in entrance of the automotive was a group of Ferrari baggage – fairly the accent, I have to say.

1997 Lexus LX450

The Toyota 80-Collection Land Cruiser is an extremely well-liked off-road rig, and the upscale 1995-1997 Lexus model has at all times been a favourite of mine. This automobile stood out for me as a result of it was a uncommon SUV in a sea of sports activities automobiles, and it additionally had an extended checklist of “overlanding” type modifications for go-anywhere functionality. Energy got here from a Toyota Racing Improvement (TRD) supercharged 1Z-FE 4.5-liter inline-six mated to an computerized transmission. Including to the enchantment was a four-inch suspension carry, a rooftop tent, LED lighting, and manufacturing unit differential lockers. This automobile drove to Central America and again!

2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

I needed to do a double-take once I noticed the signage that accompanied this sensible V12 roadster. “One of many lowest mileage in existence,” it stated. The automotive had solely 394 miles on it and was completed in a uncommon “Carbon Black” version. This V12 Vantage was hand-built in Britain and was powered by a 510-horsepower 5.9-liter V12. I didn’t get an opportunity to satisfy the proprietor, however in keeping with an indication on the sprint, the automotive was being provided on the market for $219,000. Want I had that type of pocket change.

Did any of those automobiles catch your eye like they did mine? Many due to the Concours within the Hills sponsors and organizers for organizing such a terrific occasion for a worthy trigger.

Keep tuned to The Journal for extra automotive occasion protection as we transfer all through 2024!