It’s Sunday morning, October 30th, and the iconic Las Vegas Strip is filled not with taxis and rentals but dozens of classic cars and modern exotics.
I’m behind the wheel of a 2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom, making my way through the pack. This short drive is the final send-off to the inaugural Wynn Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance, an emerging car show with ambitions to compete with the best around the globe.
Stepping onto the lawn for the first time, the most striking aspect of the show was the sheer variety of vehicles. The main event occurred on Saturday, October 29th, at the Wynn Golf Club and included 230 cars judged across 15 classes. The participating vehicles represented every era, from a 1933 Duesenberg “20 Grand”, which went on to win the Best of Show Pre-War award, to the latest hypercars from Bugatti, McLaren, and Ferrari. Aside from the usual suspects, the show even brought out machines rarely seen, like three participants from Vector Motors.
One thing to note is that the Wynn Golf Club is massive, spanning 6,722 yards. Its size made the 230 participating vehicles feel like a relatively small amount. It was refreshing to see just how much space there was between the cars, and despite having a few thousand people in attendance, the lawn never felt crowded. Next year’s show could easily host 100 more vehicles without impacting attendees’ experience.
The show served both participating vehicles and manufacturers alike. Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Ferrari brought out cars, allowing attendees to experience their latest products in person and see how well they fit in with the rest of the show.
There were two Best of Show winners. The first was the 1933 Duesenberg “20 Grand” mentioned above, presented by The Nethercutt Collection. According to Wynn Las Vegas, the car got its nickname for its $20,000 asking price during the height of the Great Depression, an era when cars typically cost between $600-$800.
The Best of Show Post-War winner was a 1951 Delahaye 235 presented by Peter and Merle Mullin of the Mullin Museum. According to Wynn Las Vegas, this particular example is the fifth of only 84 produced between 1951 and 1954 by the French carmaker.
For folks who just want a nice day out with great weather, food, and cars, the Wynn Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance is the show for them. As a first-year attendee, one of the show’s greatest strengths was the resort itself. With the lawn only a short walk away from my room, and an abundance of fantastic food on offer, the whole day had a very laid-back, relaxed feeling.
As for its future, I’d wager it’ll be a bright one. Next year, the show will take place alongside the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which should bring more people, cars, and fun activities for all.
