Oh the seductive power of gleaming chrome, richly colored reflective hoods, over-the-top horsepower and high-octane fuel . . . or the time-honored appeal of a vintage hand-cranked car that speaks volumes about a bygone era.
Rev up your engines – it’s motorcar season once again. And leading the way this year in South Florida once again was the Motorcar Cavalcade Concours D’Elegance, a prestigious automotive event that combines a celebration of the art and evolution of the automobile with a glamorous Florida-style garden party replete with fine champagne, craft cocktails and an abundant selection of culinary delights. Against the lush, rolling greens of the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura, the memorable event held on February 4 was a delight for all the senses.
The excitement drew some 2,000 car connoisseurs, car enthusiasts as well as the car-curious, many dressed in elegant attire. They admired more than 200 rare and at times legendary automobiles from around the world – from futuristic exotics setting the standards for the coming decades to rare historic works-of-art.
Highlights of this year’s auto exhibition magnificently prove the range of participants:
- 1931 Marmon Sixteen LeBron-Bodied Convertible Sedan
- 1932 Duesenberg Model J
- 1956 Cooper T39 MKII Bob-Tail Racecar
- 1985 Ferrari Modena Spyder California 250 GT
- 1995 Bugatti EB 110
- 2013 Ferrari LA Ferrari
- 2020 McLaren Senna GTR
- 2023 Allard J2X
- 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto
After guests wandered the grounds admiring the automobiles on display and enjoying the food and fanfare, winner were announced. Cars garnering awards in major categories included:
- People’s Choice Award – 1954 Austin-Healey 100 BN1
- Chairman’s Award – 1936 Cord 810
- Best in Show Classic – Citroën DS21 Series 2 Décapotable
- Best in Show Modern – 2018 Ferrari J50
What makes this event a particular standout is that in addition to judging automobiles in a range of traditional classes, cars also are rated on creative and unusual criteria. All important but often under-recognized components of the total automotive driving experience, they range from car door and grille design to cockpits, lights and finishes.
Adding to the excitement of the event, the roster of judges included well-known names from the automotive as well as sports and entertainment worlds. They included Beth Panetta, Team Principal of Paretta Autosport (Indy Car); Kerry Sanders, NBC Correspondent; Lyn St. James, Hall of Fame race car driver; Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat basketball player; Tommy Kendall, Hall of Fame race car driver; Jay Ward, Pixar Creative Director and creator of the Cars franchise; and Desmond Howard, Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP.
In addition to the awards presentation, highlights of the event included the grand reveal of the GMC Hummer EV, impressively towering over the show field, and a private Flex jet aircraft landing on the concourse field with opportunities for guests to try out the cockpit – while remaining on solid ground, of course.
All in all, Motorcar Cavalcade 2024 was a memorable event that promises to have everyone gunning their motors and coming back next year for more.