Caterham wins coveted Concours award . . .

[Bruce K]

The 34th annual Eyes on Design Concours was held near Detroit MI on Father's Day, 2022.  As has been the case for decades, the event transpired on the vast lawns of the historic Edsel Ford estate in suburban Grosse Pointe Shores.  Hundreds of estimable collector cars were exhibited.  The Concours theme this year was Built for Speed, and many original Offenhauser-equipped Indy roadsters, Cadillac's new Le Mans hypercar, multiple early and historic NASCARS. dragsters, Paganis, Lambos, McClarens and more were displayed.  I exhibited two cars:  My Porsche 935 tribute, and my Caterham R400 Superlight with full CF treatment and upgrades to R500 specs.  The 935 is admirably authentic, and was the reason for the Selection Committee's invitation, but when they learned of my Caterham, they asked if I could exhibit it, as well.  Both my cars were placed in the "Track Toys" category.  "Toys" seems an ironicism, as category exhibits included a $2M, 12-cylinder, 7-speed dual clutch Ferrari Barchetta, a new $360K BAK Mono, an original 1980's Lotus Formula One racecar, a suite of BMW Mini "Art Cars" designed by Jeff Koons and more.  Because it was the original reason for my attendance, I thought it possible that the 935 might receive some recognition.  Imagine my surprise when the "Design of Distinction" ribbon was pinned on the Caterham! 

 

Here are images of both cars on the grounds of the Concours.  Note the ribbon on the hood of the Cat.  My Cat has CF fenders, dash, nose, seats, light bezels and more.  The Daytona Blue paint is show quality.  Still, given the competition, the award shocked me.  After all, my Cat is worth less than the tax due on sale of the Barchetta!  In retrospect, with their ribbon, I believe the Awards Committee was recognizing the genius of Chapman's original seventh design, plus the skilled evolutionary engineering that has improved the product for 65 years now:

 

Edited July 17, 2022 by Bruce K
correct

[panamericano]

Congratulations!  Since it says "Design" right in the name, I think you may be on to something about the worthiness of Chapman's original design.  Of course your presentation had to be perfect against the competition.  Well done, lad.

[Anaximander]

What a great honor and recognition of a very special design and a very special car. Congrats on the award. It makes the cost of all those carbon fiber bits and R500 upgrade not hurt as much. 

[Bruce K]

On 7/16/2022 at 6:21 PM, panamericano said:

Congratulations!  Since it says "Design" right in the name, I think you may be on to something about the worthiness of Chapman's original design.  Of course your presentation had to be perfect against the competition.  Well done, lad.

Panamericano - Agreed, and thanks for the compliment.  Also (as you noted) high praise for the marque, especially considering the incredible competition.  And you were correct regarding presentation.  I spent the entire prior afternoon on that little car, wheeling the finish, detailing, vacuuming, removing brake dust from the interior wheel drums and so on, plus an additional hour after we arrived at the concours.  But I felt we needed to put our best foot forward, and, in the end, the effort was rewarded.

Edited July 18, 2022 by Bruce K
correction

[Bruce K]

22 hours ago, Anaximander said:

What a great honor and recognition of a very special design and a very special car. Congrats on the award. It makes the cost of all those carbon fiber bits and R500 upgrade not hurt as much. 

Anaximander - thanks for the compliments.  However, I am not the party responsible for all the carbon fiber and most of the upgrades.  I improved the car, but in ways the judges could not discern, including unmounted canvas doors for fall, a heater install and lowered floorplans.  The artist responsible for all that visual impact was the previous owner, Miles Jackson.  He installed the CF nose cone, fenders, light bezels, Tillett seats, license plate surround and more.  He also deleted the cat and installed the big, bad, polished stainless R500 exhaust.  He also installed the inapparent roller throttle bodies and multiple major and minor fettlings of other sorts.  The car is so gorgeous, when I first laid eyes on it, I suggested to Miles that, instead of selling it, he should drain the fluids and mount it on a living room wall!

[Anaximander]

Bruce,

 

Isn't it wonderful to have a car that you can admire to the enth degree! Enjoy the ride! It is the embodiment and the fruits of your labors that brought it to you.