From the 2008 Concours: a 2005 Lotus Elise, owned by Che Silkiss-Hero, alongside a 1932 Chrysler Roadster owned by Tex Gieling.

There is nothing quite like taking a step back into history to admire the vehicles of the past. The Concours d’Elegance, which takes place on Lopez Island on August 15, provides an opportunity for many community members to do just that.

The group meets at the Lopez Island School at 11:00 a.m. to position the autos for viewing and then at 12 p.m. the group tours the cars on a route around the island. They head northbound on Center Road, then they turn left on Fisherman Bay Road. The group proceeds onto Lopez Road (to miss construction) and they travel through the Village, and then back to Fisherman Bay. The end destination is Coffelt Drive where the festivities continue with the group’s tailgate party. Following the tour through the island there will be an optional side trip for those who are interested to a hangar at the airport to look at a Nanchang CJ6-A warbird brought from Red China which was restored with help from many friends including Roy Berg of car restoration fame.

The masterminds of this event, Tex Gieling and Helen Cosgrove, are celebrating their fifth year of this parade of antique, unique, and unusual cars. In the past this has included anything from a rusty old Land Rover to a brand new 2007 Ferrari. There are automobiles from the 1920’s through the 2000’s, including classic Fords and Chevrolets along with a Lotus, Porsche, Jaguar and Maserati.

Everyone is welcome to take part in the event if one has a unique, unusual, or vintage automobile you’d like to show off. This is a group of people who like to kick tires and tell stories about cars, mechanics and car-related topics. There is a picnic/tailgate party after the sashay around the village and it is an event for drivers and their friends. For more information, call Tex Gieling at 468-3047 or Helen and Warren at 468-3624.