A unique car with a glamorous Hollywood past will be featured at the 29th Annual Ironstone Concours d’Elegance, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ironstone Vineyards, 1894 Six Mile Road, in Murphys.
“Concours d’Elegance features over 300 antique and classic cars, as well as vintage trailers and motorcycles,” entry chairman Chris Bock said. “The featured car this year is the Lana Turner 1941 Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton. Of six built, only four survive.”
The sleek red car was owned by millionaire playboy Henry J. Topping who owned it and customized it. He married Hollywood actress Lana Turner, the blonde bombshell who was Hollywood’s highest-paid actress in the 1940s. The car is typically on display at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada. Its special appearance at Ironstone Vineyards is a great chance to see an Art Deco-era head turner and a piece of Hollywood and motor-sport history.
More than 3,000 visitors are expected to check out this special car and all the vintage vehicles during the Concours d’Elegance. Plein Air Painters scattered throughout the grounds of Ironstone will capture, on canvas, the ambiance and landscape, as well as the classic cars on display.
Twenty-nine years ago, John and Gail Kautz created Concours d’Elegance. As farmers and vintners, they envisioned an event that would benefit young people involved in agriculture, notably 4-H Clubs, Future Farmers of America, and the California State Fair Scholarship Fund. This year they celebrate the 29th Annual Ironstone Concours d’Elegance.
“From that initial idea, the Ironstone Concours d’Elegance Foundation has raised more than $1 million since its inception,” Gail Kautz said of the money that funds scholarships and grants for local youth ag programs. “We thank every donor for helping the next generation and shaping the future of agriculture.”
In 2024, grant recipients included Calaveras County 4-H, Lodi High School FFA, San Joaquin County AgFest, San Joaquin County 4-H Campership and many more.
General admission tickets are $30 per person. Children under 14 are admitted free.
In addition to the car show, attendees are invited to purchase tickets to the Patron’s Tent, a private viewing area that is open throughout the day to Concours Sponsors and paid guests. Admission to the Patron’s Tent is $125 per person. Lunch is included and will be served at 11 a.m.
Other activities throughout the weekend include the Vintage Backroads Tour on Friday morning, Sept. 26 and the Cars and Stars dinner on that Friday night. To purchase tickets to any of these events or for more information, call 209-269-6950 or go online to ironstoneconcours.com.
