Feature 2014 Forest Grove Concours Che Bella Macchina! royalty graces the lawns of Pacific University

Report and photos by Alec Ebert

The day, which started with clouds that gave way to warm sunshine, wasn’t just about world-class Alfa Romeos. The show field was full of great — from Porsches to to American Muscle and everything in between. Sports Market and American Car Collector were sponsors of the event, and SCM publisher Keith Martin and Contributing Editor Donald Osborne returned as emcees. Bill and Linda Lindquist’s nicely restored 1968 Mercedes- Benz 280SL attracted atten- tion. Bill Lindquist showed off all of the original maintenance records — down to the last David and Adele Cohen’s 1933 1750 GS — Best oil change — and the original toolkit from the car. hen was the last time you saw a gathering of world-class cars in a little “The car came from a collection on the East Coast college town out in Oregon farm country? and then came to us through an auction in Arizona,” Well, it happens every July at the Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance. said Lindquist, from Portland, OR. “We’ve owned it ever This was the 42nd year, and it was a perfect way to spend a Sunday after- since, drive it as much as we can, and we enjoy every W minute of it.” noon. The cars nestle nicely on the green, sun-dappled Pacific University lawns. This year’s theme was “The Art of Italian Motoring,” and many important cars This Concours d’Elegance is a fund raiser for the showed up to delight a large turnout of old-car enthusiasts. Two pre-war Alfa Romeos Forest Grove Rotary Club, and it has raised more than were the stars: $1 million for scholarships and other good works during SCMer Jon Shirley, of Medina, WA, brought his 1938 Alfa 8C 2900B — the past 42 years. winner of Best of Show in the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. No one was Each year, Forest Grove attracts people who love surprised when this handsome car took Best in Show at Forest Grove. classic cars — and do everything they can to keep these SCMer David Cohen brought his 1933 6C 1750 GS — a veteran of the 1935 24 cars on the road. These Hours of Le Mans, where it finished in 6th place — from Vancouver, B.C. Gearheads people keep car collect- marveled at this rare car — the only one of its model with a Figoni body. This car was ing alive. Great weather, Details a runner-up to Best of Show at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. a great turnout, and some Plan ahead: The 2015 Forest Grove amazing vehicles will keep Concours d’Elegance is scheduled all those people — and for July 19, 2015 their children — coming Where: Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR back to this rural Oregon Cost: $20 town each July for years to More: www.forestgroveconcours.org come. ♦

Jon Shirley’s 1938 2900B coupe — Best in Show Bill and Linda Lindquist’s 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL

40 Market