The 14th annual Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance, one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing automotive and motorsports enthusiast event weeks, will pay tribute to 1940s, 50s and 60s suburbia in the “Life in the Suburbs” exhibit sponsored by GMC. Now in its seventh year, the Festival’s “Life” exhibits seek to honor American automotive culture and era-specific vehicles with annually changing themes. This year will bring a collection of vehicles never before seen together, another of the “firsts” that visitors have come to associate with Hilton Head Island’s signature fall event.
“Life in the Suburbs” presented by GMC will include two vehicles from the GM Heritage Collection in Sterling Heights, Michigan, a 1945 GMC Sinclair Tanker and 1951 GMC Canopy Express. It also will feature noteworthy names in the automotive industry including Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports(displaying a 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster Sedan Delivery), and Donnie Gould, president of Auctions America, the Festival’s official 2015 auction partner (showing a 1947 Crosley Ice Cream Truck).
“GMC vehicles accommodate any lifestyle—from the active adventurer enjoying weekends on the water to all-around, everyday use for the family—while offering bold design, ample storage and plenty of towing capability,” said, Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing. “We are thrilled to sponsor and showcase how GMC vehicles have been a part of everyday American life through the decades and are setting the stage for beyond.”
Examples of other vehicles showcased include:
- Hot rods and family vehicles, including a 1932 Ford 3-window DeLuxe Coupe (hot rodded in the 1950s), 1949 Plymouth Special DeLuxe “Woodie,”1950 Ford Business Coupe and 1966 Volkswagen 21-Window Sunroof Deluxe Bus
- Utility and light work vehicles, including a 1946 Willys CJ-2A and 1947 Cushman 3-wheeler Ice Cream Scooter
- Delivery and promotional vehicles, including a 1947 Ford COE Truck and 1948 DIVCO Milk Truck
- Bicycles and motor scooters, including a 1936 Dayton Safety Streamline, 1947 Schwinn WZ, 1950 Maico Mobil, 1951 Schwinn Red Phantom, 1965 Mustang Stallion Motor Scooter, 1966 Honda Dream and 1966 Vespa 150 Sport With Sidecar
- Emergency vehicles, including a 1964 Dodge 330/Police Car
“This year’s ‘Life’ exhibit provides a look into American automotive culture of the late 40s, 50s, and early 60s, when a new generation of automotive-based service businesses sprang up, such as delivery service vehicles, drive-throughs and drive-ins,” said Phil Capossela, chairman emeritus for the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and “Life” exhibit curator. “It’s exhibits like these that truly set us apart from other Concours events across the country.”
“As a celebration of the automobile through the decades, the ‘Life’ exhibit holds true to the Festival’s mission statement of ‘entertaining and educating the community,’” said Carolyn Vanagel, president of the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance. “We are particularly excited about this year, as it will be GMC’s first time participating as a sponsor as well as showcasing vehicles from the impressive GM North American Heritage Collection.”
In addition to “Life in the Suburbs,” the Festival will feature other two-day exhibits on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 including a display of motoring marine craft sponsored by Barrier Island Marine, a collection of motorcycles that competed in The Cannonball, a cross-country antique motorcycle race that celebrates the achievements of Erwin “Cannonball” Baker, and a special anniversary collection of Porsche Turbos provided by Porsche collector Tim Lingerfelt.
Tickets for the 2015 Motoring Festival are now on sale at www.HHIMotoringFestival.com/Tickets.
