With Barrett-Jackson in the rearview mirror, one of the things we reflect on is how much the automotive community gives back. Five charity cars at Barrett-Jackson raised over $1.8 million for good causes. Similarly, another one of Arizona’s signature car show events conveys philanthropic objectives as its core focus.
The ninth annual Concours in the Hills car show took place on February 4 in Fountain Hills, Arizona, about 20 miles northeast of Phoenix. Over the course of the show’s history, it has raised $1.4 million for Phoenix Children’s Foundation through registration fees and sponsorship (spectator admission has always been free).
Some changes took place to ownership and administration of the event earlier this year when its founder, Peter Volny, generously donated the event to Phoenix Children’s Foundation. This organization, headquartered at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH), is dedicated to making pediatric care accessible to those who need it. PCH was originally founded in 1983 and has been serving the Arizona community for 40 years. It was named one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals in 2022 for the 12th consecutive year.
Acting as the centerpiece of the event was Fountain Hills’ historic water fountain, which climbs upwards of 560 feet in height when its three turbine pumps are in use. Under normal use, two pumps are used and the height rises to around 300 feet. The fountain was built in Zurich, Switzerland, and held the title as the world’s largest fountain from 1970 through 1980. It also provides a perfect backdrop for the annual gathering of special vehicles.
Concours festivities this year ran from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and offered a family-friendly atmosphere with plenty to see – in fact, over 1,200 vehicles were on display including domestics, imports, race cars, limited-edition exotics, off-road vehicles, and even military helicopters. I attended the show to catch a few highlights and was pleased to see that it continues to grow and evolve.
Among the vehicles attendance were too many exotics to mention, but one vehicle that caught my eye right off the bat belonged to Greg Davis of Gilbert, who displayed a 2010 Aston-Martin Vantage roadster. This car was one of only 115 roadsters produced for the year and carried an original retail price of $138,520. It is powered by a 420-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 paired with a six-speed manual transmission and has accrued only 8,000 original miles.
Another standout car was a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 that was completely customized in “Back to the Future” accessories like a Hover Board, a Flux Capacitor, and all sorts of supporting memorabilia. I only wish Doc Brown had been there to give me a ride-and-drive demonstration at 88 miles per hour.
A third stunning ride was a pristine 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster that was originally delivered December 1967. It was finished in Ruby Red over black leatherette and was accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity from the President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, Frederick J. Schwab.
Concours in the Hills has been dubbed “The Greatest Car Show on Grass,” and after attending it for a few years in a row, I can understand why. For everyone who attended, the experience was rich and rewarding, and the Phoenix Children’s Foundation is grateful to be a key player in keeping the momentum going into 2024 and beyond.
To stay up to date on future Concours in the Hills events, check out the website and stay tuned to the ClassicCars.com Journal.
