Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance: 10 favorites from 2024

One of the first cars with the Jaguar name? The Jaguar XK8 in Austin Powers? Indeed, that’s what the 2024 Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance had to offer and then some. Here are 10 of our favorites presented.

1957 GAZ M21 Volga
Presented by Dmitri Shvetsov

What’s a GAZ? It stands for Gorkovsky Avtomobilniy Zavod. If it sounds Russian, you’re right. It’s from the Soviet Union, and this is believed to be the only example of a Series One in the U.S., and one of seven remaining in the world. It’s won several awards, including a best in class at the 2018 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.

1974 Saab Sonett
Presented by Roman Artymyshyn

Yes, they made 7522 of these, but how often do you see one in this kind of shape? It wasn’t always like that as it sat “in the mud” from 1981 until a restoration that was finished in 2021. The Sonett has won several honors in AACA competition, including the 2023 Repeat Preservation Award.

1956 Jaguar XK140 DHC
Presented by Robert and Melanie Seyler

This XK140 has remained in the same family since 1956. It also has just completed a restoration that took 20 years. Effort equals results, though, as it won best in class at the 2023 Detroit Concours d'Elegance, a class award at the 2024 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, and Best Jaguar at the 2024 Philadelphia Concours d'Elegance.

1967 Jaguar 420
Presented by Joseph Lorini

The Willow Green color stands out a bit among the sea of British Racing Green. Joseph Lorini purchased it to restore and met his wife because of that restoration. With a story (and color) like that, how can you ignore this one?

1963 Jaguar E-type
Presented by Terry Lippincott & Kevin Fitzgerald

Jaguar made a few one-off cars for competition purposes during the 1950s and 1960s. This one, E3A, was first owned by Terry Lippincott and raced at a variety of venues, including Mont Tremblant, Watkins Glen, Sebring and Road America.

1938 SS Jaguar
Presented by Alexander Cole

The SS Jaguar is the first car to carry the Jaguar name. Of the 278 built, it is said only 20 remain. This is an award-winning example, with honors including the Palmetto Award at the 2018 Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance, Radnor Award at the 2022 Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance and now the Prewar class win for the 2024 Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance.

1949 MG TC
Presented by Glen & Jill Moore

When Robert Fergus saw the MG TC, he had to have one. So, he bought one–and even started an MG dealership. In 1953, Fergus won 11 of the 13 events he entered. Unfortunately, after that, he contracted polio and the car was placed in a museum from 1955-1999. The current owners purchased it in 2020, brought it back to its current condition. Since then, it has won best of class at The Amelia and topped the Unrestored category for the 2024 Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance.

2002 Jaguar XK8
Presented by Bill Krzastek

If you’ve watched the 2002 film “Austin Powers in Goldmember,” you might recognize this ride from the opening scene. It is one of three cars used in the making of that movie. Dubbed the “Shaguar,” its current owner bought it from Jaguar in 2008 and actively presents it at concours, parades and car shows.

1952 Jaguar C-type XKC 034
Presented by Thomas Jaycox

The current owner of this race car, Thomas Jaycox, has had it since 1975, and completed a long-term restoration on it in 1996. It has a race history, including the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1953. It has concours history as well, with a class win at the 2003 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.

1935 Swallow Sidecar Coachbuilding Company SS 1
Presented by Eduardo Salvala

Before Jaguar was Jaguar, it was a mouthful of a company name and this was its car, the SS 1. This particular example was once owned by Argentinean tango performer Ada Falcon and spent its first 80 years in Argentina. It’s all original and won numerous awards, including those at The Amelia, and displayed at Pebble Beach. The 2024 Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance awarded it Best of Show.