HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival, one of the nation’s signature automobile events, will proudly showcase Brass Era Cars as the Honored Marque when this popular automotive event returns to Honey Horn on Hilton Head Island, S.C., from October 30-November 2, 2008.

Brass cars, which date before 1916, were originally constructed almost entirely from wood, steal, sheet metal and brass. During the Concours d’Elegance “Best of Show” competition on Sunday, November 2, the brass classes will exhibit at least one model from each year between 1899 and 1915, including rare early steam-powered and electric vehicles.

“Brass Era automobiles are the stuff that dreams were made of,” said Bill Alley, a leading Brass Era Car collector who serves on the Automobile Advisory Board for the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival. “They were sensuous, elegant machines, evocative of an era on the cusp of events that would forever change the world. Precision tooled, styled with sophistication and driven with pride, cars of their ilk were unique to their point in time.”

The featured brass classes and Honored Marque displays at the 2008 Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival will showcase a number of vehicles including the following: 

  • 1899 Locomobile, an early steam-powered vehicle
  • 1901 Columbia, an electric car which resembles an Amish buggy
  • 1907 Franklin, featuring air-cooled engine
  • 1911 EMF Stock Chassis Racer, which originally raced in the 1911 Tiedeman Cup in Savannah 

“Brass cars played a critical role in automotive history,” said Carolyn Vanagel, executive director of the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival. “We’re delighted to offer the opportunity to see some of the world’s best-known Brass Era Cars at close range and in an intimate setting.”

Brass Era cars originated as Americans and Europeans sought a new form of independent transportation, which could travel farther and faster than the conventional horse and carriage and could offer more freedom than train travel. Bicycle companies such as Rambler, Pierce Arrow and Thomas became some of the first automobile makers, applying their technical knowledge to innovative purpose. Influenced by carriage design, early automobiles featured spectacular paint, magnificent upholstery and ornate pin stripping. Their elegance reflected the distinction and superb taste of their owners. Fluent lines still speak today of the ingenuity, new ideas and bold experimentation utilized by their makers.

“They were the cars that truly set the bar for transportation,” said Gordon Matson, the owner of the 1911 EMF Stock Chassis Racer which will make a special appearance at the 2008 Concours event. “They’re charming looks serve as a reflection of the people who built them. They’re all about ingenuity, new ideas and experimentation.”

The centennial of the Great Savannah Races, a landmark 1908 racing event which served as the very first grand prix road race in the U.S., will also serve as a festival highlight in connection to the Honored Marque. In honor of this historic anniversary, antique cars, including some from the original race, will parade through the city streets of Savannah taking portions of the 1908 race route and will run exhibition laps at the Hilton Head/Savannah Historics on Hutchinson Island Friday, October 31.

Gate ticket prices are $15 for Thursday or Friday’s vintage track event, the Hilton Head/Savannah Historics, $25 for Saturday, $35 for Sunday, $50 for a two-day (Saturday & Sunday) pass and $55 for an all-access (Thursday – Sunday) pass. Children under 12 get in free, ages 12-18 are $5 per day (with student ID) and military (with an active duty I.D.) receive off general admission ticket prices at the gate. Advance discounted tickets are available at www.hhiconcours.com.

For more information about the 2008 Hilton Head Motoring Festival, please call (843) 785-SHOW (7469).

About The Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival

The Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival serves as the premier classic car event in the Southeast, attracting visitors from across the country. The Seventh Annual Hilton Head Motoring Festival, which will take place both at Roebling Road Roaceway in Bloomingdale, GA and at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn on Hilton Head Island, S.C. from October 30-November 2, 2008, will feature an exciting schedule of races, a classic car auction, interactive exhibits, fashion and a revolving show field featuring over 150 muscle cars, hot rods and sports cars with a special feature of German cars on Saturday and vintage classics on Sunday in the centerpiece of the weekend-long festivities, the Concours d’Elegance. For a complete schedule of events, please visit www.hhiconcours.com online or call (843) 785-SHOW (7469).

Information courtesy of Abshire Public Relations