SANTA FE, N.M. – The 2012 Santa Fe Concorso, third edition was held for the first time on the ninth fairway of The Club at Las Campanas on Sunday, September 30th. A gathering of more than 100 rare and exotic cars and motorcycles were on display surrounded by incredible vistas.

The opening Friday Night Gathering was an informal event for entrants, sponsors, and guests at Hangar K at the Santa Fe Air Center that showcased a special speed display of vintage aircraft, racing cars, and speed-record seekers.

Earlier that day, Paul Russell of Essex, Mass., one of the premier auto restorers in the country, and Jim Stranberg, owner of High Mountain Classics, the top restorer of Bugatti automobiles, led a special Design Forum panel discussion at the Equestrian Center at The Club at Las Campanas. Both men have taken “Best in Show” honors at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Also taking part was Kip Wasenko, former automotive designer for General Motors, and Jeff Brock, a New Mexico resident, who converted a 1953 Buick into a Bonneville Salt Flats record holder. A Q&A session followed the panel discussion.

On Saturday the focus turned to driving with the third annual High Mountain Tour. Entrants drove their classic vehicles and were treated to challenging roads and spectacular New Mexico scenery before arriving at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. While the mountain tour is for vehicle entrants only, members of the public also hit the road as participants in the Open Road Tours, which took place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, September 26 – 28.

In addition, automotive luminaries such as Sir Stirling and Lady Susie Moss were on hand as well as Santa Fe’s own Denise McCluggage, a legendary writer and racer, and Albuquerque’s Al Unser, Sr, a four-time Indianapolis 500 winner.

The Santa Fe Concorso chooses two overall winners. The Best of Show - Sport was a 1923 Mercedes 28/95 Targa Floria from the Peterson Automotive Museum. Best of Show - Elegance was a 1930 Stutz Model M Lancefield Coupe, owned by Richard and Irina Mitchell of Montgomery, Texas.

Third Annual Santa Fe Concorso, 2012 Award Winners

Best of Show — Elegance
1930 Stutz Model M Lancefield Coupe owned by Richard and Irina Mitchell, Montgomery, Texas.

Best of Show — Sport
1923 Mercedes 28/95 Targa Florio owned by the Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, California.

Best in Class
American Classics – 1940-1975
1940 Lincoln Continental owned by Eric Freeh, Alamogordo, New Mexico.
American Closed Cars – 1925-1940
1930 Stutz Model M Lancefield Coupe owned by Richard and Irina Mitchell, Montgomery, Texas.
American Iron
1966 Pontiac GTO owned by James Deaton, Flower Mound, Texas
American Open Cars – 1900-1932
1913 Ford Model T Touring Car owned by Kathy and Russ Furstnow, Flagstaff, Arizona.
American Open Cars – 1933-1939
1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton owned by Bob, Pat, and Chris White, Scottsdale, Arizona.
American Street Motorcycles
1939 Indian Chief owned by Michael Breeding, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Bicycles
1999 Bilenky Road Bicycle owned by Keric and Leilani Sullivan, Ulysses, Kansas.
Closed Wheel Race Cars
1958 MGA EX 186 owned by Joe and Cathy Gunderson, Littleton, Colorado.
European and Japanese Street Motorcycles
1934 Moto Guzzi GTS 500 owned by Dean Rogers, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
European Road Cars
1923 Mercedes 28/95 Targa Florio owned by the Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, California.
Open Wheel Race Cars
1980 Ferrari 312 Mexico. T5 Formula One Car owned by Bud Moeller, Melbourne, Florida.
Race Motorcycles
1956 BSA CB Gold Star owned by John C. Kynor, Sr., Belen, New Mexico.
Shelby Cars
1965 Cobra 289 owned by Skip and Margo Atkins, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Sports and GT – 1937-1957
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster owned by Ronald and Ellen Swartz, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Sports and GT – 1958-1965
1963 Chevrolet Corvette owned by Lynn and Michael Harling, Dallas, Texas.
Sports and GT – 1966-1975
1966 Aston Martin DB6 owned by Alberto and Julie Gutierrez, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Special Awards
PRESIDENT'S AWARD
1917 Peerless "Green Dragon" owned by John Hollansworth, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.
SIR STERLING MOSS AWARD
1957 Citroen 11B Traction Avant Légère owned by Steve Rada, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
DENISE MCCLUGGAGE AWARD
1953 Austin-Healey BN1 "Grace" owned by Mike Newsome/John Niklas (driver), Mission Viejo, California.
TOM MITTLER AWARD 1953 Cunningham C3 Prototype owned by Chris Andrews, Fort Worth, Texas.
AL UNSER, SR. AWARD
1966 Pontiac GTO owned by James Deaton, Flower Mound, Texas.
SPECIALTY CAR AWARD – LUXURY AND EXOTICS
AWARDED BY UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. 
2011 Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 owned by James Edwards, Show Low, Arizona.

The Santa Fe Concorso is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The success of the Santa Fe Concorso directly benefits youth organizations of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County. Visit our website: www.santafeconcorso.com.
For additional information, go to: info@santafeconcorso.com.

Click here to download the 2012 Santa Fe Concorso Award Winners.
Click here for more information on the 2012 Santa Fe Concorso Best of Show.