The NAACC Goes to the Arizona Concours d’Elegance (again)!
Article by Loren Cocking; photos as attributed.

On Sunday, January 18th, 2026, the NAACC was very well represented at the 8th Annual Arizona Concours d’Elegance, in Scottsdale, AZ. Led by NAACC National President and CEO, John Carlson who was the Chief Judge at the event along with his wife, Koko Carlson as Chief Tabulator, there were also a substantial list of NAACC members who served as Judges.
The event kicked off on Saturday, January 17th with two private seminars for the Judges and Officials. The first seminar was a running conversation between motorsports legends Luigi Chinetti, Jr. and Harley Cluxton III, about their recollections of international sports car racing during the golden age of Ferrari throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s in Europe and North America. As drivers for NART (the North American Racing Team), Luigi and Harley moved amongst the racing legends of that time and were able to provide a “man-on-the-spot” narrative for two hours recounting some of their adventures, challenges, behind-the-scenes hi-jinx and insights that went on at major races such as the 24-Heures du LeMans, the 24 Hours of Daytona, Sebring, and events such as the Indy 500 and at speed trials on the Bonneville Salt Flats. This seminar was moderated by noted race car driver, author and speaker, Lyn St. James, who is one of Sports Illustrated Magazines “Top 100 Female Athletes of the 20th Century”, and a ground-breaking speed record holder and seven-time competitor at the Indy 500. To listen to these three trade comments, quips and recollections – along with their personal photographs of both the cars and the people from that era – was simply fabulous!

From the Luigi Chinetti, Jr. Collection – Loren Cocking, photo.

  • L. to R. – Luigi Chinetti, Jr., Lyn St. James, Harley Cluxton III. – Photo, Rick Holitzki.
    The second seminar was a round-table discussion amongst some notables within the collector car auction world that included: Jacob Greisen (Senior Car Specialist at Broad Arrow Auctions), Joseph Mast (Barrett-Jackson Auction Company), a gentleman whose name I’ve unfortunately missed (a high-volume trader on Bring a Trailer), and Moderator Andy Reid (Certified Sports Car Fanatic and past owner of over 200 cars). This was an interesting seminar as they discussed how and where to sell different types of collector cars. The broad consensus was that some platforms are better-suited than others when it comes to selling certain types of automobiles. That having been said, it was acknowledged that Bring a Trailer (BAT) was a market disruptor and that it was stealing sales from many other traditional sales platforms and auction houses. (This is making traditional auction houses work harder than ever for their clients.) Other topics that were discussed were the experts’ opinions on the future for collector cars – specifically, which were forecast to continue to rise, and which were coming off their peak. It was their general consensus that, within the muscle car arena, resto-mods were continuing to perform as well as – or better than – numbers matching original cars. They felt that this was on account of younger buyers entering the market to collect these cars today. They also felt that the valuations of high-dollar cars from the 20’s to the ‘50’s were slipping as the people that had a personal connection to them in their youth were dying off. As a result (and I hate to report it, but it may be true), your tri-five Chevy may have topped out in terms of capital appreciation and may now start to go backwards. Their advice was to get these cars out of the garage and drive the wheels off of them in order to get your money’s worth of enjoyment. (Personally, I think this is great advice that applies to most cars. Drive them; that’s what they were built for and that’s where the true enjoyment is. And make sure that you take a young kid for a ride as the love of all things’ automotive starts at a young age. It certainly did for me – and I’d bet that it did for you too! Remember that the youth of today are the prospective purchasers, owners and curators of our cars tomorrow. – L.C.)

The Panel – Rick Holitzki, photo.

The Concours itself was a fabulous event as always! Organized by Karen Winkler (Hospitality and Judges Chairman) and Co-Hosted by both Ed Winkler and Chuck Stanford at the Scottsdale Centre for the Performing Arts, the 2026 Arizona Concours (www.arizonaconcours.com) brought together a diverse group of automotive enthusiasts, exhibitors, collectors, racers, ICJAG Judges (International Chief Judge Advisory Group, www.icjag.international) and Guest Judges – as well as hundreds (if not thousands) of guest spectators. The evening before the Concours itself, Charles (Chuck) Schluter, Colonel (Ret.), USACE, did an admirable job of acting as Concours Ambassador at the Welcome Reception event by making sure that everyone at this event got introduced to everyone else. Thanks, Chuck, you made a great night magnificent! A highly curated and judged exhibition of some of the finest rare and exotic automobiles within North America, the Arizona Concours d’Elegance benefits the local arts community and the Arizona Make-A-Wish Foundation. With over one hundred cars on display, it’s a tough job for the Judges to select the class award winners (there are fifteen classes, and three winners within each class – along with the coveted “Best of Show” winners), within the allotted time available. Still, it gets done (and done on time – or else, according to John and Koko)!

The Concours itself was a fabulous event as always! Organized by Karen Winkler (Hospitality and Judges Chairman) and Co-Hosted by both Ed Winkler and Chuck Stanford at the Scottsdale Centre for the Performing Arts, the 2026 Arizona Concours (www.arizonaconcours.com) brought together a diverse group of automotive enthusiasts, exhibitors, collectors, racers, ICJAG Judges (International Chief Judge Advisory Group, www.icjag.international) and Guest Judges – as well as hundreds (if not thousands) of guest spectators. The evening before the Concours itself, Charles (Chuck) Schluter, Colonel (Ret.), USACE, did an admirable job of acting as Concours Ambassador at the Welcome Reception event by making sure that everyone at this event got introduced to everyone else. Thanks, Chuck, you made a great night magnificent! A highly curated and judged exhibition of some of the finest rare and exotic automobiles within North America, the Arizona Concours d’Elegance benefits the local arts community and the Arizona Make-A-Wish Foundation. With over one hundred cars on display, it’s a tough job for the Judges to select the class award winners (there are fifteen classes, and three winners within each class – along with the coveted “Best of Show” winners), within the allotted time available. Still, it gets done (and done on time – or else, according to John and Koko)!

The Judging Group, Organizers and Officials, 2026 Arizona Concours d’Elegance.
Rob Mains, Photo.

Canadian Judges included:
• John Carlson & Koko Carlson, BC
• David Carlson, BC/USA
• JJ Carlson, BC/USA
• Bob Ford, NF
• David Murphy, ON
• Doug Keith, SK
• Dan Keith, SK
• Jim Herbert, AB
• Paul Martin, BC
• Ron Morris, BC
• Roy Schull, BC
• Terry Johnson, BC
• Brad Pelling, BC
• Jon Pelling, BC
• Loren Cocking, BC



Class 1. ‘Sculpted for Speed’ – Pre-war Sports and Race Cars.
1908 American 50/60HP Underslung Roadster. Owned by The Singleton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA – Rob Mains, Photo.

Class 2. ‘Art Deco Sculpted Luxury’ – 1930s American Coachwork.
1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Boattail Speedster – The Singleton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA – Rick Holitzki, Photo.

Class 4. ‘Avant Garde’ – 1930s, 40s, and 50s Visions from Maveric Minds.
1954 Cadillac Eldorado – Ed and Norma Ramirez, Scottsdale, AZ. – Rob Mains, Photo.

Class 5. ‘Featured Class – Elegance meets Utility’ – Mid-Century Family Wagons.
1963 Pontiac Bonneville Safari Wagon – Rich and Nancy Wilkinson, Paradise Valley, AZ. – Loren Cocking, Photo.

Class 6. ‘Patina and Provenance’ – Mostly Original, Well-Preserved & 50+ years old.
1959Buick LeSabre hardtop – Rich and Nancy Wilkinson, Paradise Valley, AZ. – Bob Golfen, photo.

Class 7. ‘Post-War Sculpture in Motion’ – European Sports/Racing Cars (1948-‘60).
1955 Jaguar D-Type – Jeremy McChesney, Laguna Beach, CA. – Rick Holitzki, Photo.

Class 8. ‘Post-War Sculpture in Motion’ – European Sports/Racing Cars (1960-75).
1966 Jaguar XK-E OTS – Chrisopher and Julie O’Leary, Scottsdale, AZ. – Rick Holitzki, Photo.

Class 9. ‘Post-War Sculpture in Motion’ – Ferrari Sports/Racing Cars (1961-1975).
1966 Ferrari 330GT Series II – Ed and Kimberly Montini, Gilbert, AZ. – Rick Holitzki, Photo.

Class 10. ‘No Replacement for Displacement’ – American-Powered Sports/Racing Cars (1950-75).
1953 Corvette Roadster #188/300 owned by James and Valerie Sheehan, Stingray Ranch Collection, Cave Creek, AZ. – Rick Holitzki, Photo.

Class 11. ‘Slicing the Air at 200 MPH’ – Exotic Sports Cars 2000-2025.
BBB025 Mercedes-Benz AMG One – Paul Devers, Sylvania, OH. – Rob Mains, Photo.

Class 12. ‘Featured Class’ – 140 years of Mercedes-Benz Engineering and Design.
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SC Cabriolet – Mercedes-Benz of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ – Loren Cocking, Photo.

Class 13. ‘Featured Class – Sun, Sand & Surf’ – Cars built for the Beach.
1958 Vespa 400 Jolly – The Nethercutt Collection, Sylmar, CA. – Rob Mains, Photo.

Classes 14. ‘Sculpture on Two Wheels’ – Classic & Historic Motorcycles.
1973 Husqvarna 250cc WR/RT – John J. Hernandez, Dolores, Colorado – Photographer unknown.

Special Awards:
Scottsdale Arts Award for Automotive Artistry
1931 Mercedes-Benz 38/250 SSK – Touring Auto Collection, Decatur, IL. – Bob Golfen, Photo.

Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Award for Automotive Design that is Both Unique and Elegant
1929 Cord L-29 Cabriolet – Jason Manns, Festus, MO. – Loren Cocking, Photo.

Arizona Concours Award for Design that has Endured the Ages
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” coupe – Robert J. Lavinia, Paradise Valley, AZ. – Loren Cocking, Photo.

The Clive Cussler “Passion for Collecting” Award
1935 Swallow Coachbuilding SS1 Coupe – Eduardo and Michelle Zavala Harris, Saint Petersburg, FL. Loren Cocking, Photo.

Arizona Concours Award for Exceptional Engineering in Period
1952 Mercedes-Benz W194 300 SL Coupe – Bruce McCaw, Bellevue, WA. – Rob Mains, Photo.

The Russ and Nellie Jackson Memorial Award
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster – Touring Auto Collection, Decatur, IL.
Arizona Concours Director’s/Chairman’s Award
1936 Bugatti Type-57 Stelvio – Carolyn and Craig Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ. – Rob Golfen, Photo.

Arizona Concours Director’s/Chairman’s Award
2024 RUF CTR Anniversary Edition – Dan Withers, Phoenix, AZ. – Rick Holitzki, Photo.

Fashion Designer Award
1939 Buick Special Model 46 Business Coupe – Terry and Carol Stines, Phoenix, AZ. – Loren Cocking, Photo.

Best of Show (Pre-War) – An impressive 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Cabriolet owned by Valerie and Aaron Weiss of San Marino, CA. – Rob Mains, Photo.

Best of Show (Post War) – A 1955 Jaguar D-Type in the brilliant red paint scheme that Carroll Shelby raced in the ’50s, owned by Jeremy McChesney of Laguna Beach, California. – Rob Mains, Photo.

Fashion Designer Award
1955 Jaguar D-Type – Jeremy McChesney, Laguna Beach, CA.

Special thanks to the following Canadians who made the effort to provide their time and expertise to judge at this event at their own expense. Accomodations for the Judges at the Hotel Solaya (provided by the Concours itself) are also gratefully acknowledged.

Judges: David Murphy (standing), David Carlson (kneeling) and Webster Peterson (on right) – Photographer Unknown.