Highlights from Hilton Head’s Car Club Showcase
Hilton Head Island Concours & Motoring Festival - LIfe in Classic
A weekend of motoring on Hilton Head
The Hilton Head Island Concours & Motoring Festival again proved why it ranks among America’s premier collector-car gatherings. Rather than a single show, the long weekend delivered a full slate of activities from October 31 through November 2. There were two major shows, a driving tour, and even the Grand Motoring Film Festival. Consequently, the island’s Port Royal Golf Club transformed into a rolling museum.
The centerpiece on Saturday was the Car Club Showcase. Twenty-two clubs helped fill several fairways with an eclectic mix of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. As a result, spectators could stroll from brass-era elegance to modern supercar speed in a few steps. On Sunday, the Concours d’Elegance took over the same venue with curated classes and formal judging. Together, the events celebrated not only great machines, but also the community that keeps them alive.
Throughout the weekend, enthusiasts swapped stories, compared notes, and discovered fresh favorites. Above all, the atmosphere felt warm, inclusive, and curious.
Awards and a standout story
Organizers presented trophies across broad categories, including Best European, Best American, and a Designer Award. Of course, Best of Show and People’s Choice took top billing. This year, Best of Show at the Car Club Showcase went to a 1934 Ford Woodie Wagon owned by Chuck Walcutt. His path to the podium inspired onlookers. Decades ago, a violent attack left him blind at 26. Yet he rebuilt his business and, with friends and trusted craftsmen, returned to the hobby he loved. Today, at 82, he still guides the details of his cars by touch and memory.
Meanwhile, the People’s Choice trophy crowned a 1941 Plymouth PT125 pickup, a reminder that originality and heart resonate with crowds. Moreover, marque clubs and regional groups contributed special citations of their own. The variety of awards encouraged conversation, friendly rivalry, and a shared appreciation for craftsmanship. In the end, the winners reflected the event’s breadth and spirit.
Racing legends and raw speed
Competition heroes drew big crowds. For instance, the #49 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 from the Greenwood stable showcased American muscle at full roar. Built with an all-aluminum 7.0-liter ZL-1 V8 rated at roughly 750 horsepower, it raced at Watkins Glen, Daytona, and Sebring. At Le Mans it did not finish, yet it set a GT-class record by touching 215 mph on the Mulsanne Straight. That headline number still turns heads.
Notably, BMW of North America displayed its 1995 McLaren F1 GTR LM. With a 6.0-liter BMW S70/2 V12 behind a center-seat cockpit, the car finished eighth overall at Le Mans in 1996. BMW NA still maintains and exercises it, and the sound alone stopped conversations. Additionally, a 2013 SRT Viper GTS reminded visitors that America’s V10 icon bowed out only a few years ago. For two model years it wore SRT branding before returning to Dodge, and it captured Best Overall Chrysler 1999–2025 at the showcase.
European elegance and rarities
Across the fairway, several European standouts embodied design purity. The Turkis Metallic 1973 BMW 3.0 CS impressed with its crisp lines and balanced stance. Its Korman Auto Works–built 3.0-liter inline-six, breathing through triple Weber sidedrafts, gave the graceful coupe real voice. Moreover, a prewar 1938 BMW 327 highlighted the brand’s long tradition of sporting restraint. With an inline-six, rear-wheel drive, and the familiar twin-kidney grille, it earned the Executive Director’s Award.
Rarity also drew attention. A 1972 BMW 2002 Baur Cabriolet showed the clever semi-convertible format that predated many modern targas. Similarly, a 1972 BMW 2002tii Touring reminded guests that the hatchback variant never reached the U.S. when new, yet it now enjoys cult status. Meanwhile, a beautifully restored 1966 Saab 96 Sport showcased nimble Scandinavian engineering, complete with a more potent two-stroke triple and period upgrades. Each of these cars told a clear story about innovation shaped by market needs and racing influence.
Craft, culture, and crowd favorites
Owner involvement remained a theme throughout the field. A 1964 Porsche 356C rescued from rust, rebuilt with extensive metalwork, proved that patience and skill can revive almost anything. Likewise, a rally-prepared 1978 Porsche 911SC, lifted and lighted for gravel, left with Top Air-Cooled Porsche honors. Furthermore, a 1969 Porsche 911 reimagined as an RSR tribute traced a long journey from parts-car candidate to track weapon and, finally, road-going homage.
