Concours Features ‘KEELS and WHEELS’

HOUSTON — The grounds and harbor of Lakewood Yacht Club in Houston, Texas, will host a grand display of vintage cars and boats from across the nation May 3-4 the 13th annual Keels & Wheels Concours d’ Elegance & Auction.

The international event gathers more than 200 classic motor vehicles and 100 wooden boats and yachts for a two-day waterfront fete. The highlight of the event is a fast-paced live auction. Event proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Harbor.

Keels & Wheels Chairman Bob Fuller describes the regional show as “the only one of its kind spectator event for all to enjoy.

“The Lakewood Yacht Club provides us with a gorgeous harbor and a beautiful palm tree-lined surrounding for us to display over $50 million of the most visually dynamic vintage cars and boats from eras past,” Fuller said.

Al Capone’s armored 1928 Cadillac will be featured at the Keels & Wheels Concours d’ Elegance.

Among the high-profile vehicles expected to be in attendance is the unique 1928 Cadillac once owned by Al Capone.

Capone had several defensive upgrades fitted to the Cadillac sedan, such as one-inch thick bulletproof glass and heavy steel plating. The car also features trap doors in the floor, allowing passengers to drop carpet nails onto the street to flatten the tires of those in pursuit. Painted black and green with a siren installed, the Capone Cadillac blended in among police cars at the time, making it the perfect disguise.

In addition to the show and auction, a commemorative recreation of the attack on Pearl Harbor, “Tora, Tora, Tora,” will be performed on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. “Tora, Tora, Tora” calls itself a “three-dimensional museum” and gives live air-show demonstrations, coupled with pyrotechnic effects.

For more information on the Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance, contact Kelly Snow at 713-599-1271, or go to www.keels-wheels.com.