A majestic Duesenberg Model J and a flawless Mercedes-Benz 300 SL were named Best of Show winners, pre-war and post-war, respectively, for the 2025 Arizona Concours d’Elegance, held Sunday, January19, on the grounds of the Scottsdale Civic Center.
In ideal, sunny Arizona weather, a crowd of thousands enjoyed the display of fine automobiles and motorcycles in the parklike atmosphere of the 7th January staging of the Arizona Concours.
The curated and judged Concours presents some of the world’s greatest collector vehicles, ranging from early 20th Century runabouts through the Art Deco and Classic eras, to sports cars and exotics from more-recent years.
The Pre-War Best of Show winner is a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Butterfly Dual Cowl Phaeton owned by Valerie and Aaron Weiss of San Marino, California. In immaculate condition, the dark-green Duesy had a powerful presence on the show field.
The Model J, Duesenberg’s greatest model, wears a bespoke Murphy body designed by Franklin Q Hershey with the distinguishing feature of a rear windshield and cowl that was split in half to ease passenger entry and exit.
The 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, owned by DJSKI, LLC of Phoenix, won the Post War Best of Show award. The car is a terrific example of the German automaker’s grand touring roadster, gleaming in Black with a Cream leather interior.
The roadster was the follow up to Mercedes’ iconic “Gullwing” coupe. This 300 SL was brought to Arizona in 1967, where it was kept for 50 years by a fastidious owner. A true numbers-matching example, the SL completed restoration in 2023.
The Arizona Concours is presented in partnership with Scottsdale Arts, the organization responsible for an array of artistic services in the city. The theme for the 2025 edition of the Concours was “The Art of Automotive Engineering.”
Proceeds from the Arizona Concours supports local artists and art programs, as well as benefitting Make-A-Wish® Arizona – kids from Make-A-Wish take part in the Concours activities, including choosing their own winning vehicle, which then receives a unique handmade trophy.
