Photography courtesy La Jolla Concours d'Elegance
Collectors often swap cars frequently, but not for John Word. He’s owned this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing for nearly 50 years. It was his first classic car, bought for $25,000 in 1977. That was still a sizeable sum back then–roughly $130,000 in today’s money–but nothing near its seven-figure value now. Besides being a good investment, it’s also a winner in another way: Best in Show for the 2025 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance.
2025 La Jolla Concours D’Elegance Specialty Winners
Best in Show: John & Kimberly Word, 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Outstanding Pre-War: Valerie & Aaron Weiss, 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Disappearing Top Coupe
Outstanding Post-War: Neville Ray, 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe
Mayor’s Award: Dee Elias, 1967 OSI 20M TS Coupe
Spirit of the Concours Award: Marlina Stone, 1937 Packard 115-C Business Coupe
Donald Taylor Upholstery Award: Ken & Ann Smith, 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Disappearing Top Convertible
Phillip Wichard Excellence in Design Award: The Petersen Automotive Museum, 1925 Rolls Royce Phantom I Aerodynamic Coupe by Jonckheere
Chief Judge Award: Cal DiMaggio, 1948 Mark IV Drophead Coupe 3.5-Liter Convertible
Chuck Spielman Preservation Award: Julian White, 1988 Porsche 928 S4 Coupe
La Jolla Historical Society Heritage Award: Deer Park Escondido, 1903 Oldsmobile, Curved Dash Runabout
Honorary Judges Award: Tom & Gwen Price, 1946 Ford Roadster
Co-Chairman’s Award: Larry Icerman, 1930 Willys-Knight 66B Sport Roadster
LPL Summit Best of Marque Award: Michael Sullivan, 1935 One Off Custom Gentlemen’s Tailback Packard Speedster
Timeless Elegance Award: The Nethercutt Collection, 1938 Lincoln Model K Twelve Touring Coupe
2025 La Jolla Concours D’Elegance Class Winners
1. Cover Art Cars Open and Closed
1st: Rob Walton, 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic 2-Door
2nd: The Petersen Automotive Museum, 1925 Rolls Royce Phantom I Aerodynamic Coupe by Jonckheere
3rd: The Petersen Automotive Museum 1939 Delahaye T-165 V-12 Cabriolet “World's Fair”
2a. Pre-War American and European Classics – Open: 1920 -1940
1st: Tom O’Hara, 1934 1101 Packard Dietrich 4 Door Convertible Sedan
2nd: Donald Becker, 1936 SS Jaguar 100 Open Two Seater
3rd: The Coit Collection, 1934 Packard 8 Convertible
2b. Pre-War American and European Classics – Closed: 1920 -1940
1st: Robert Escalante, 1931 Packard 845 Deluxe Eight Limousine
2nd: Stephen Wheeler, 1930 Packard 726 Sedan
3rd: Richard Greenfield, 1937 Cadillac Limousine Coupe
3. Lincoln Open and Closed 1930 – 1959
1st: Jim Davidson, 1956 Lincoln Premiere Convertible
2nd: The Singleton Collection, 1938 Lincoln Model K LeBaron Coupe
3rd: The Nethercutt Collection , 1938 Lincoln Model K Twelve Touring Coupe
4a. Post-War American and European Luxury – Open: 1947 – 1965
1st: The Coit Collection, 1957 Ford Thunderbird F-Code Convertible
2nd: Cal DiMaggio, 1948 Mark IV Drophead Coupe 3.5-Liter Convertible
3rd: Kenneth Geiger, 1954 Buick Skylark Convertible
4b. Post-War American and European Luxury – Closed: 1947 – 1965
1st: Randolph & Melanie Hane, 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
2nd: Ventura, Kuehn & Associates, 1957 Chrysler Saratoga 2 Door Hardtop
3rd: William Cronkhite, 1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Standard Steel Saloon
5. Historic Race Cars: 1925 – 1999
1st: The William Lyon Family, 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ2 Competition FIA GT Berlinetta
2nd: Ed Palmer, 1970 Porsche 906 Spyder
3rd: Grand Prix Classics, 1964 Cobra 289 Roadster
6a. European Sports Cars – Open: 1954 – 1975
1st: George & Sibet Alspaugh, 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster
2nd: Steven Card, 1971 Jaguar E–Type Open Two Seater
3rd: Jackson Smith, 1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster Convertible
6b. European Sports Cars – Closed: 1954 – 1975
1st: Neville Ray, 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe
2nd: Michael & Sally Kerns, 1967 Bizzarrini Strada 5300 Coupe
3rd: Mark Angotta, 1965 Alfa Romeo Guilia Sprint Speciale Coupe
6c. Maserati 1948 – 1972
1st: John Clark, 1965 Maserati Sebring SII 2 Door Coupe
2nd: Cool Classics Int., 1959 Maserati 3500GT Coupe
3rd: Don Clem, 1968 Maserati Sebring II 2 Door Coupe
7. Mercedes-Benz: 1955 – 1975
1st: John & Kimberly Word, 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
2nd: Chuck & Jennifer Brill, 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL Convertible
3rd: David Hurley, 1962 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Coupe
8. Ferrari: 1953 – 1992
1st: David & Pam Pham, 1985 Ferrari 308 QV GTS
2nd: Dr. Jay Fallon, 1972 Ferrari 365/GTB Daytona Berlinetta
3rd: Bill Ceno, 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO Coupe
9. American Muscle: 1958 – 1974
1st: Mark Boice, 1970 Plymouth Cuda Coupe
2nd: Dennis & Vicki Murfin, 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 KK2266 Sportsroof
3rd: Eric Vidmar, 1969 Dodge Daytona Coupe
10. Iconic American Hot Rods: 1928 – 1941
1st: The Coit Collection, 1935 Ford Model 48 3 Window Coupe
2nd: The Walker Family & Dan Withers, 1932 Ford Model B Cabriolet
3rd: Randy Carlson, 1929 Ford Model A Roadster
11. Porsche 1965 – 1990
1st: The Walker Family & Dan Withers, 1989 RUF CTR “Yellowbird” Coupe
2nd: Bill Ceno, 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort Coupe
3rd: Julian White, 1988 Porsche 928 S4 Coupe
2025 La Jolla Concours Motor Car Classic Winners
Doug Pratt La Jolla Motor Car Classic Best in Show: Robert Farrow, 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 FIA
La Jolla Motor Car Classic Best Foreign: Sam Clark, 1966 Sunbeam Tiger
La Jolla Motor Car Classic Best Domestic: Dane & Mignon Silvestri, 1962 Cadillac Deville Coupe
La Jolla Motor Car Classic Chairman’s Choice: P. Shawn Beall, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window
La Jolla Motor Car Classic Best Hypercar: Fast Lane Drive, 2023 Ferrari Daytona SP3
La Jolla Motor Car Classic Best Overall Ferrari: Kenneth Tong 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
La Jolla Motor Car Classic Best Front-Engine Ferrari: Bruce Miller, 2009 Ferrari 599 GTB
La Jolla Motor Car Classic Best Mid-Engine Ferrari: Lou Lollio, 2003 Ferrari 360
View all comments on the CMS forums
You'll need to log in to post.
