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Arizona Concours d’Elegance returns in January 2023
written by Bob Golfen
The Arizona Concours d’Elegance returns in January 2023, presenting the acclaimed show and competition of rare and special automobiles at a new Scottsdale venue.
Previously held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix, the Arizona Concours will take place on Sunday, January 22 at the newly renovated Scottsdale Civic Center, with about 100 vehicles presented on the grass between and adjacent to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
The theme of the 2023 Arizona Concours is The Art of Aerodynamics, with cars ranging from the early beginnings of streamlined vehicles, including classic race cars, up to the most exotic supercars of today.
The automobiles that appear in such high-end concours events are often referred to as “rolling artworks,” and fittingly, the Arizona Concours has forged a partnership with Scottsdale Arts, to present this special event.
“We are excited about the idea of cars as works of art, and the automobiles on display at this event most certainly are!” said Dr. Gerd Wuestemann, president and CEO of Scottsdale Arts, the organization responsible for multi-disciplinary artistic services in the city. “We will turn Civic Center into an outdoor museum for the day, so everyone can share in the magic, beauty and nostalgia these classic cars from bygone eras elicit.”
Concours co-director Ed Winkler, a classic car enthusiast with his own diverse collection, noted that the connection with Scottsdale Arts seems like a natural fit.
“By partnering with Scottsdale Arts, which is well-known for delivering artistic programs to the community, the Concours adds to the organization’s calendar of lifestyle events,” Winkler said.
The Concours will be the first event held at the newly renovated Scottsdale Civic Center, which Winkler noted is the ideal setting for an exhibition of rolling art.
“The expanded format will allow a greater exposure to the public and collector car owners, as well as sponsors,” he said.
The entries will be organized into about 15 classes, most of which will compete for class and special awards, as well as the coveted Best of Show. The juried Concours will bring professional automotive judges from the United States, Canada and Europe to evaluate and score the entries.
The Arizona Concours connection with Scottsdale Arts extends to its charitable efforts as a non-profit organization: Proceeds from the event will benefit local artists and the arts community. “Our focus as an arts organization is to reimagine our services and reinvent ourselves from time to time,” Wuestemann said. “In a city like ours, which has perhaps one of the most passionate car scenes in the world, what could be a better fit than to include this rolling artwork into our offerings?”
The Arizona Concours is currently welcoming select automobiles to be considered for the event. Submissions can be made on ArizonaConcours.com, which includes a full list of the classes.
Tickets are now available and can be purchased through the website, or at the Scottsdale Art box office. Tickets will be limited, so make plans early.
