10 notable cars from the 2024 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival concours

While the 2024 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival featured a smaller footprint than years past, the $20 admission granted you access to an incredible array of cars. Here are 10 of our favorites we saw during Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance.

1991 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
Presented by Jonathan Mertz, Knoxville, Tenn.

Just 3049 examples of the C4 Corvette ZR-1 were made. They cost roughly $27,000 more than a standard coupe back then–that’s about $62,000 more in today’s dollars. With it came a zero-to-60 time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 173 mph. This is an original, unrestored, Canadian-export example that is one of 14 produced in this configuration. It won Best in Class for Radwood.

1993 Jaguar XJ220
Presented by Ron Green, Atlanta, Ga.

Jaguar produced less than 300 examples of the XJ220. Despite the short run, it held the record for fastest production car from 1992 to 1993. Three-time British Touring Car Championship champion Win Percy first owned this particular XJ220. It then went on the TV series Top Gear, with presenter Jeremy Clarkson giving it a spirited drive.

1999 Plymouth Neon Competition
Presented by Michael Norman, Decatur, Tenn.

Okay, it’s not often you see a Neon on a concours showfield, but perhaps this one is worthy of your attention. The internal company code for the Competition package was ACR, which these cars are better known as, and was a popular choice for those who liked to track their Mopars. However, what makes this example special is how pristine it is. Owned by just one family, it was used to teach driving skills and autocross. Plus, the Neon has just 20,000 miles. It won Outstanding in Class for Radwood.

1934 DeSoto Airflow
Presented by Auburn-Cord-Duesenburg Museum, Auburn, Ind.

This may be a prime example of art deco design when it comes to cars, but it fell flat among consumers deep in the throws of the Great Depression. While they built 55,000 examples among the Chrysler and DeSoto brands, it’s generally regarded as a huge failure. This one is particularly notable because Carl Breer once owned the Airflow and the company used it as a test mule. Breer’s known as one of The Three Musketeers, a team of engineers that Walter Chrysler grabbed from Studebaker to start his namesake company.

1930 Duesenberg Model J
Presented by Richie Cline, Melvin Village, N.H.

This is just one of two Model J fixed-top coupes with coachwork by John B. Judkins Company–and the only one remaining in existence. With that coachwork comes unique features, including a roll-out cabinet to hold Waterford crystal goblets and decanters. This car has won numerous awards, including the Gordon Buehrig Award at the 1990 Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, making it best in class among Duesenbergs.

1952 Allard J2X
Presented by Stan Cryz, Dedham, Mass.

Erwin Goldschmidt bought this Allard J2X new. He was familiar with the marque as he won the 1950 Watkins Glen Grand Prix in an Allard J2. Zora Arkus-Duntov, the “Father of the Corvette,” served as project manager for this build. This J2X was equipped with a dual-carburetor manifold, Dunn racing camshaft and re-jetted Rochester carburetors. “Life” magazine featured the J2X in its September 22, 1952 issue. The J2X won Best in Class for Post-War Sports Cars.

1989 Porsche 930
Presented by Kevin Meany, Hilton Head, S.C.

What makes a 930 even more special? When it’s an X-code one. Rally racer Peter Thomson, member of Canada’s wealthiest family, bought it new. It is considered one of four 1989 930 X-code cars “built as a slant nose without the slant nose.” It came with the XA8 (wide rocker panels) and XB7 (rear brake ducts) options. This 930 retains its original paint, interior and matching-numbers engine and transmission.

1924 Auto Red Bug
Presented by Philip and Richard Rader, Hixson, Tenn.

No, this isn’t a go-kart, although Briggs & Stratton (known for karting engines today) once owned the rights to the design. They called it The Briggs & Stratton Flyer. Briggs & Stratton then sold it to the Automotive Electric Service Corp., which marketed it as the Auto Red Bug. It’s considered an early microcar. Back in the day, you could buy it through outlets such as Abercrombie & Fitch and FAO Schwarz. The Red Bug won Outstanding in Class for Pre-War Special Interest.

1908 Alco “Black Beast,” aka “La Bete Noire”
Presented by Howard and Rosalind Kroplick, East Hills, N.Y.

This is the car that won the famed Vanderbilt Cup in 1909 and 1910, and raced the first-ever Indianapolis 500 in 1911. With a racing pedigree like that, there’s no wonder why it won Best in Class for Pre-1915 Steam and Brass Cars.

1935 Swallow SS 1
Presented by Eduardo Zavala, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Jaguar’s roots go back to the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922. The first car to carry the Jaguar name from that company was the 1936 SS Jaguar 100. Prior to that, the SS 1 had been the company’s sports saloon offering. This example had been owned by Argentinian tango performer Ada Falcón and spent 80 years in Buenos Aires before arriving in the U.S. It won Best of Show at the Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance earlier this year and now has claimed Best in Show at the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival.

2024 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival Concours d’Elegance Results
October 13, 2024

Class 1A: Ferrari Marriott Modern
Best in Class
2011 Ferrari 599 GTO, Connor Cogan, Louisville, Ky.
Outstanding in Class
1995 Ferrari 355 Challenge, Jasbir Dhillon, Brentwood, Tenn.

Class 1B: Ferrari Marriott Vintage
Best in Class
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB, Connor Cogan, Louisville, Ky.
Outstanding in Class
1979 Ferrari 308 GT4, Dan Carroll, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Class 2: Porsche 911
Best in Class
1973 Porsche 911 S, Charles Moore, Sikeston, Mo.
Outstanding in Class
1989 Porsche 930, Steve McCombs, Louisville, Ky.

Class 3: Pre-War Special Interest
Best in Class
1922 Moon, Gary Moon, Loganville, Ga.
Outstanding in Class
1924 Auto Red Bug, Philip & Richard Rader, Hixson, Tenn.

Class 4: Production Motorcycles
Best in Class
1928 BMW R52, Virginia & David Bloodworth, Nashville, Tenn.
Outstanding in Class
1960 Velocette LE, Mark Sepulveda, Ooltewah, Tenn.

Class 5: Post-War Special Interest
Best in Class
1958 Edsel Citation Convertible, Jerry Magayne, Eagle River, Wis.
Outstanding in Class
1971 Volvo 142 GT, Ken Borgerding, Kennesaw, Ga.

Class 6: Post-War Sports Cars
Best in Class
1952 Allard J2X, Stanley Cryz, Dedham, Tenn.
Outstanding in Class
1956 Austin-Healey 100M, Peter Davis, Jonesborough, Ga.

Class 7: Modern Sports Cars
Best in Class
2009 Lamborghini LP 560-4, Robert Albertson, Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.
Outstanding in Class
2015 Alfa Romeo 4C, Darren & Angie Evans, Dunlap, Tenn.

Class 8: American Muscle
Best in Class
1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass, Jeff & Brenda Kane, Milton, Del.
Outstanding in Class
1964 Chevrolet Impala SS, Billy Head, Gainesville, Ga.

Class 9: Radwood
Best in Class
1991 Chevrolet Corvette, Jonathan Mertz, Knoxville, Tenn.
Outstanding in Class
1999 Plymouth Neon, Michael Norman, Decatur, Tenn.

Class 10: CCCA Classics–American
Best in Class
1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Sedan, John & Crispin Menefee, Nashville, Tenn.
Outstanding in Class
1927 Pierce-Arrow 80 Club Brougham, John Haulbrook, Mableton, Ga.

Class 11: CCCA Classics–European
Best in Class
1920 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, John & Crispin Menefee, Nashville, Tenn.
Outstanding in Class
1936 Bentley Tourer, David Brogdon, Birmingham, Ala.

Class 12: Pre-1915 Steam and Brass Cars
Best in Class
1908 Alco “Black Beast,” Howard Kroplick, Roslyn, N.Y.
Outstanding in Class
1914 Fiat, Peter Jackson, Newbury, Ohio

Class 13: BMW
Best in Class
2003 BMW Z8, Robert Johns, Alpharetta, Ga.
Outstanding in Class
1934 BMW Cabriolet, Scott Hughes, Sunset, S.C.

Class 14: Jaguar
Best in Class
1935 Swallow SS 1, Eduardo Zavala, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Outstanding in Class
1961 Jaguar XKE OTS, Alain Degraeve, Miami Beach, Fla.

Class 15: American Sport Custom
Best in Class
1953 Maverick Sportster, Tom Chandler, Elkader, Iowa
Outstanding in Class
1958 Victress C3 Coupe, Robert B. Mitchell, Stratham, N.H.
Outstanding in Class
1955 Debonnaire, Paul Sable, Jim Thorpe, Pa.