Glittering for charity: Pacific Northwest concours benefits kids, celebrates cars

As car shows go, it surely must rank among the most picturesque.

Set on Lake Washington with the Olympic Mountain range looming in the background, the Kirkland Concours d'Elegance is quickly becoming a highlight of the summer show circuit. But it's not just a celebration of old and perfect automobiles. It's for charity.

The concours has raised about a $1 million since the first one in 2003; the funds have gone to help sick kids through the Seattle Children's Hospital and the Evergreen Healthcare Medical Center. This year, the goal is to raise another $200,000 for the charities.

The concours is set for Sept. 13 on Carillon Point, about 10 minutes from Seattle. It will have about 116 cars spread out over about a dozen classes. Though it's still a boutique event, it's growing in national prominence, while offering the fanatic car enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest a local outlet--rather than California, Michigan or Florida--to display their pristine classics.

“This is a charity [event] that also highlights a wonderful hobby of rolling art,” said Jeff Clark, concours chairman and one of the founders of the event.

This year, a 1937 Packard V12 Coupe Roadster 1507, a 1931 Duesenberg Derham Convertible Coupe, a 1941 Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton and a 1932 Rolls-Royce P-11 Continental are among the spotlight cars. A rare 1937 Hispano Suiza K6 SWB chassis 16069 that was discovered in a barn in 2006 also will be shown.

Classic Mercedes-Benzes will be the featured class, and there also will be a display devoted to the iconic 300SL in coupe, roadster and, of course, gullwing form. Other classes include microcars, supercars, brass antiques and vintage motorcycles. In a nod to the nautical overtone of the event, classic hydroplanes will be shown, including a 1937 Ventnor.

The event is the brainchild of four Northwest car guys--Clark, Tom Armstrong, Peter Hageman and Mark Nowak, who banded together to pull off the first one. It's run entirely by volunteers--now 200 strong--who organize and carry out the show. Like Pebble Beach, Meadow Brook and Amelia Island, it's grown into a multiday celebration of the automobile with a tour, an auction and a gala. Despite the choppy economy, organizers are optimistic of hitting their fundraising target this year.

“We're doing very well this year despite the economy because hospitals are important to people” said Bill Vadino, a member of the event's advisory committee.

The Kirkland concours is a nonprofit organization. For more information, go to www.kirklandconcours.com.

By Greg Migliore