“As the largest annual fundraising event held at the park, we are delighted to see such a great response from the community,” she said.
“This event would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the concours committee and the support of our corporate partners, especially AAA,” Bayliff added. “A longtime friend of the concours, the late Ray Keyton – former president and CEO of AAA Miami Valley – was greatly missed this year. Ray helped the concours get its start at Carillon Park 10 years ago, and the absence of the event’s greatest champion was very evident. It was such a pleasure to have Ray’s friends, family and co-workers join us this year to honor his love for cars, people and Carillon Park.”
The event featured the 50th anniversary of the Camaro and Firebird, and the evolution of the MG sports car, but the “Cars of Orville Wright” class stole the show.
Greg Ornazian of Troy, Michigan, brought his 1937 Hudson Terraplane to the concours. It is similar to a model owned by Wright in the 1930s and it not only won the class but also was awarded the R.H. Grant Best of Show Award.
“It’s my first show with this car. I bought it at the Ault Park concours earlier this year and after some more work, brought it here. What a nice result,” Ornazian said. “I won Best of Show at Ault Park with my Delahaye, but winning here, the Best of Show trophy is the most beautiful award I’ve ever seen.”
Ornazian was referring to the handmade wooden steering wheel created by local artist Paul Rich. Rich has crafted these for the concours for many years, and no two are alike.
“I talked with Paul after the awards ceremony, and he explained the types of wood he used,” Ornazian said, adding that the Wright Flyer and the base is a tribute to Rich’s brother who is terminally ill. “This man is an amazing artist, and among all of the awards I’ve won over the years, none of them will mean as much to me as this one. I’m honored to have it.”
Glenn Hamilton of Dayton arose early and fired up his 1911 Marmon Speedster for a drive to the concours just about sunrise.
“What a wonderful morning for a drive in a car over 100 years old,” he said. Hamilton was awarded the Chairman’s Award for his Marmon, and the Jeffrey Siler Spirit Award, recognizing his passion for all things automotive. “Thinking back, since the inception of this event, I’ve brought a dozen or so different cars, from a 1904 Cadillac to 1956 Jaguar, and a number of Packards in between,” he said. “I’ll keep showing up with something over 100 years old that is always driven to and from the meet.”
There were nearly 200 automobiles on site, nearly 40 motorcycles and scooters and a collection of Miami Valley racecars that were for display only.
Along with that display, Indianapolis Motor Speedway historian Donald Davidson held a public Q&A, joined by veteran Indy 500 drivers Jack Hewitt, Tom Bigelow and Greg Leffler.
The Fishers Body Craftsmen’s Guild held its reunion with almost 20 members attending from across the United States; a display of hand-built models competed for the Larry Miller Best of Show Award.
One spectator, Mel Francis of Wisconsin, shared his impressions of the day. “The only other concours I have ever attended is Pebble Beach. This show was just as impressive, with a more compact, intimate feel to it,” he said.
2017 DAYTON CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE AWARDS
1. equals Best in Class
AE equals Award of Excellence
A1 - Camaro 1967 through 1969
1. Ed Sauer, Springboro, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z10
AE. Dan & Jan Owen, Lewisburg, 1967 Camaro RS/SS 350
A2 - Firebird 1967 through 1969
1. Tom Mochty, Xenia, 1968 Pontiac Firebird
B1 - Evolution of the MG through 1955
1. Rick Grant, Dayton, 1954 MG Arnolt
AE. Dale & Judy Zinn, Fremont, Indiana, 1952 MG TD
AE. Rick Grant, Dayton, 1953 MG TD
B2 - Evolution of the MG 1955 on
1. Rick Grant, Dayton, 1958 MG A Twin Cam Coupe
AE. Tom Igleburger, Xenia, 1962 MG A Mk. II Deluxe
AE. Carole Looft, Wilmington, 1960 MGA 1600
AE. Don Williams, Dayton, 1958 MG ZB Magnette
AE. Rick Grant, Dayton, 1958 MG A Twin Cam Roadster
C - The Cars of Orville Wright
1.Greg Ornazian, Troy, Michigan, 1937 Hudson Terraplane
D - Antique through 1929
1. Glenn Gersch, Xenia, 1928 Hispano Suiza Type 49
AE. Glenn Hamilton, Dayton, 1911 Marmon 32
AE. Thomas Wallace, Centerville, 1910 Hupmobile Model B Roadster
E - Classic 1930-1949
1. Ron & Betsy Thomas, Zanesville, 1937 Cord 812 SC Phaeton
AE. West Peterson, Dayton, 1930 Packard 7-34 Boattail Speedster
AE. Kevin Carroll, Cincinnati, 1942 Pontiac Torpedo Sports Coupe
G - Nifty Fifties American 1950-1959
1. Mike Grasa, Liberty Twp., 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible
AE. Lee W. Amundson, Beavercreek, 1955 Ford Thunderbird
AE. Michael Karns, Beavercreek, 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
H - Collector American Early 1960-1972
1. Doug Noel, West Manchester, Ohio, 1965 AMC Marlin
AE. Nelson & Jane Faulkner, St. Paris, 1963 Mercury Monterey
AE. Scotty McPherson, Xenia, 1965 Ford Galaxie 500
AE. Steve & Mary Powell, Wilmington, 1960 Lincoln Continental Mk. V
AE. Joe Peters, Dayton, 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
I - Collector Foreign 1946-1980
1. Elizabeth & Jeff Lutes, Kettering, 1956 BMW Isetta
AE. Bruce Campbell, Troy, 1964 Volkswagen Sedan
J - Classic Sports through 1963
1. Andy Manganaro, Xenia, 1963 Maserati Sebring Series1
AE. Ted Bernstein, Dayton, 1952 Allard J2X
AE. Ted Bernstein, Dayton, 1952 Allard K2
K1 - Contemporary Sports 1964-1980
1. David & Melissa Conklin, Centerville, 1970 Porsche 911S
AE. Ian Butt, Dayton, 1964 Porsche 356 C coupe
AE. Norm Oldham, Dayton, 1979 Corvette
K2 - Sports Cars of Japan
1. Bob & Sherry Speights, Nashville, Tennessee, 1972 Datsun 240Z
AE. James George, Jamestown, 1992 Acura NSX
L - Future Classics 1992-2017
1. Chris Mulvihill, Chicago, Illinois, 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
AE. Dan & Jan Owen, Lewisburg, 1992 Camaro RS
AE. Michelle & Bryon Struck, Beavercreek, 2010 Dodge Challenger
M1 - American Motorcycle Original
1. Bob Willenborg, Mason, 1070 Harley-Davidson FLH
M2 - American Motorcycle Restored
1. Doug Times, Miamisburg, 1959 Harley-Davidson FLH DuoGlide
M3 - Import Motorcycle Original
1. George Lesher, Tipp City, 1963 BSA Super Rocket 650
M4 - Import Motorcycle Restored
1. Donn Crouse, Springboro, 1952 Triumph 6T Thunderbird
M5 - Scooters, Mopeds & Whizzers
1. John Staugler, Centerville, 1958 Parilla Levriere
N - Race Cars - all years & types
1. William Brucken, Bellbrook, 1937 Chevy 5-window Gasser
P1 - Preservation through 1952
1. Robert Anderson, Troy, 1918 Buick E-49
P2 - Preservation 1953 through 1967
1. Paul Meyer, Dayton, 1967 Pontiac GTO convertible
Q - Muscle & Performance Cars through 1980
1. Opie & Sue Willis, Hamilton, 1969 Oldsmobile 442
AE. Roger Hoffman, Dayton, 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
AE. Joe Sroka, Dearborn Heights, Michigan, 1969 Hurst Oldsmobile
R - Custom Camaro & Firebird 1967-1981
1. Robert Adams, Tipp City, 1969 Pontiac Firebird 400
S - Premier Class - Hagerty Youth Judging Award
Brad & Carolyn Shisler, Mt. Air, Ohio, 1970 Porsche 911E Euro Targa
T - Vehicles of Special Interest
1. Donald Deborde, Middletown, 1931 Ford Model A Hot Rod
AE. Hamilton McGregor, Liberty Twp., 1984 Porsche 911 Targa
AE. Matt Schulte, Bellbrook, 2009 Porsche 911 S
Dayton History Preservation Award
Nelson & Jane Faulkner, St. Paris, 1963 Mercury Monterey
Louis DiPasquale Best British Car
Jeff Fields, LaGrange, Ohio, 1930 MG M-type
The Art & Design Award
Ted Bernstein, Dayton, 1952 Allard J2X
The Chairman’s Award
Glenn Hamilton, Dayton, 1911 Marmon 32
Charles Huber Most Elegant Automobile
West Peterson, Dayton, 1930 Packard 7-34 Boattail Speedster
Larry Miller Best of Show Model Car
Dale Bartley, Englewood, International Hauler with 5 Camaro models
Chic Kleptz Family Award
Mike & Gayle Riley, Rochester Hills, Michigan, 1933 Essex Terraplane
Taj Ma Garaj Award
Matt Schulte, Bellbrook, 2009 Porsche 911S
Jeffrey Siler Spirit Award
Glenn Hamilton, Dayton
Best of Show Motorcycle
Donn Crouse, Springboro, 1952 Triumph 6T Thunderbird
Col. Edward Deeds Judges’ Choice Award
Ian Butt, Dayton, 1964 Porsche 356 C Coupe
Charles Kettering People’s Choice Award
Glenn Gersch, Xenia, 1928 Hispano Suiza Type 49
R.H. Grant Best of Show
Greg Ornazian, Troy, Michigan, 1937 Hudson Terraplane
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