1928 Auburn 8-115 Speedster takes home top prize at 2023 Greenbrier Concours
Richard Harding’s 1928 Auburn 8-115 Speedster took home “Best of Show” honors at the 2023 Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The 2023 Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance Best of Show trophy, created on property at America’s Resort by the glass artists at Lamp Light Glass Art at The Greenbrier, went to Richard Harding and his incredible 1928 Auburn 8-115 Speedster, wrapping up a fantastic weekend.
One of the iconic automobiles of the 1920s, the bright green Speedster was built by the Auburn Automotive Company in Auburn, Indiana. Designed by Alan Leamy to draw customers into the showroom, the cars featured a raked windshield, doors and hood louvres, all to give the impression of speed, along with the famous “boat tail” rear end. This Auburn was found by Harding’s father resting in a field of weeds in New Paris, Ohio, in 1992. He spent many years working on it and searching for parts. After his father’s death, Harding began a frame-off restoration, completing all the work himself, with the exception of paint and upholstery.
“First, I thought of my dad,” said Harding of his reaction to hearing his named called for the day’s top award. “He would be surprised. We had never had an opportunity to show a car here before for one reason or another, but the facility is just fantastic. I had never been to a resort like this. It’s just unbelievable. I would encourage anybody to come here for a visit. It was an honor just to be here.”
Harding’s eye-catching Auburn wasn’t the only big winner on Sunday. Class champions were named in each of the 11 classes that were showcased on the picturesque show field, surrounding the iconic front entrance at The Greenbrier.
Class winners, who received Best in Class awards included:
- Personal Luxury: 1965 ISO Rivolta GT (John Gailey; Malvern, Pennsylvania)
- Foreign Sports Cars (Closed): 1963 Porsche Carrera 2 Coupe (Thomas Zarella; Gloucester, Massachusetts)
- Foreign Sports Cars (Open): 1970 Porsche 911E Targa (Brad Shisler; Columbus, Ohio)
- Race Cars: 1957 Ferrari 250 FT LWB (Frederick Fischer; Wildwood, Missouri)
- Pre-War Cars: 1912 Cadillac Torpedo (Jim Elliot; Yorktown, Virginia)
- Motorcycles: 1971 Honda SL350 (James Gannon; Hico, West Virginia)
- Post-War Convertibles: 1967 Pontiac 2+2 Convertible (Richard Larabee; Farmington Hills, Michigan)
- Muscle Cars: 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible (Steven Race; Cumming, Georgia)
- Classics: 1929 Dusenberg Model J Roadster by Murphy (Dwight Schaubach; Carrollton, Virginia)
- Packards (Open): 1923 Packard 126 Single Six Runabout (Dwight Schaubach; Carrollton, Virginia)
- Packards (Closed): 1938 Packard 1608 Twelve Town Car by Rollston (Bob Tiffin; Red Bay, Alabama)
In addition to the class awards, 12 special awards were presented at the trophy ceremony. The winners included:
- People’s Choice: 1959 BMW 600 (David Lowen; Roanoke, Virginia)
- Chief Judge’s Award (Selected by Phil Neff): 1958 BMW 507 (Thomas Pesikey; Wilmington, Delaware)
- Duke of Windsor Award (Most Elegant Closed Car): 1938 Packard 1604 Super Eight Coupe by Mayfair (Ralph Marano; Garwood, New Jersey)
- Princess Grace Award (Most Elegant Open Car): 1940 Packard 180 Custom Super Eight Darrin (Greg Ornazian; Rochester Hills, Michigan)
- Dorothy Draper Award (Most Stylish Interior): 1979 Cadillac Coupe DeVille (Jared Aiello; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
- Sam Snead Award (Best Country Club Car): 1956 Continental Mark II (John Keesee; York, Pennsylvania)
- Eisenhower Award (Best Cold War Era Car): 1946 Packard Custom Super Clipper LWB Sedan by Henney (Don Wood; Johnson City, Tennessee)
- Artist’s Award: 1948 Jaguar Mark IV 3.5-Litre Drophead Coupe (Roger Crawford; Tallahassee, Florida)
- Most Historically Significant Road Car: 1973 Jaguar XKE Convertible (Ralph McGee; Concord, North Carolina)
- Most Historically Significant Sports or Race Car: 1979 Spirit/AMX (Michael Weaver; Joppa, Maryland)
- AACA “Spirit of the Hobby” Award: Entire Motorcycle Class (James Gannon; Hico, West Virginia)
- Bill Davis Memorial Award (Best Car from West Virginia): 1951 DeSoto Custom Convertible (Timothy Holbert; Bridgeport, West Virginia)
Plans have already begun for The 2024 Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance. The featured class, “Transportation Workhorses: Light Trucks and Utility Vehicles That Moved the World,” will be just one of the major attractions for next year’s event, which will be held May 3-5, 2024. Registration is already open for the Sunday Concours at GreenbrierConcours.com.
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