Two Outstanding NIRG Ford V-8s

Displayed at Geneva Concours

The streets of Geneva were packed with classic cars of every description Sunday August 26^th when the Geneva Concours d’ Elegance came to the Fox Valley suburb.  Temperatures into the 90’s were predicted for the day, so it was best to arrive early that morning to beat the midday heat and to find parking.  A variety of top-quality antique, classic and modern automobiles from all over the country had begun to assemble at 7:00 am and lined along Geneva’s Third Ave. and cross streets for the viewing pleasure of the throngs of visitors.

Highlighted vehicles this year were Mercedes Benz SLs, Chrysler 300s, Steam Powered vehicles and a special exhibition celebrating the 70^th Anniversary of the Chicago Region /Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Each entered vehicle had to have been nominated and then selected by the Concourse committee and had to meet strict criteria for inclusion in the event.  The display of Chrysler 300’s was exceptionally large and the rare luxury cars once called “The Banker’s Hot Rod” were interesting to view.

Two of our own Northern Illinois Regional Group members’ early Ford V-8’s met the difficult criteria for inclusion into the event and it was great seeing their cars on display. The two owners of the outstanding Ford V-8 vehicles displayed at the Geneva Concourse were Scott Gilday with his 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon and Randy Yockey with his 1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible.   Both cars attracted plenty of onlookers and received lots of positive feedback from event visitors.   Scott and Randy had fun taking and posing for pictures with their displayed cars with family members.

There were some other early V-8 Ford Motor Company Cars also displayed by non-members which drew interest from Ford V-8 enthusiasts. A beautiful 1936 Ford Deluxe 3 window Coupe was on display belonging to Matt Pater.  Matt explained that his father had purchased the car and had a full frame off restoration in 1995 with the goal being originality. 

The King of Classics, a 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet was prominently displayed by owner Bryan Bransky and attracted lots of attention. Further down the street a 1937 Lincoln Zephyr owned by John & Mary McCarthy drew admiration as did the pristine 1940 Mercury Sedan Coupe owned by Ken & Roberta Macal.  Of special interest was the beautiful 1947 Mercury Station Wagon entered by Jorge Diaz of Bull Valley, IL. It would be nice to get some of these owners into our regional group.

As the event concluded, Scott Gilday was pleased to learn that he had been awarded the prestigious Carl Benz Award for his 1947 Ford Station Wagon which was quite an honor for Scott.  The Geneva Concourse 2018 was a wonderful opportunity for car aficionados to view some real classics. Self nominations are now open for owners of Dearborn quality Ford V-8s who wish to take up the challenge of showing their cars in the Geneva Concourse next year and competing for a Carl Benz Award.