The Elegance at Hershey, now in its ninth year, will take place from Friday to Sunday, June 7 to 9, in Hershey. The event is a fundraiser for the JDRF, the AACA Library and Research Center and the AACA Museum.
Kicking off the weekend, The Grand Ascent will take place on June 7 and Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the hill course behind the Hotel Hershey, 100 Hotel Road, Hershey. Modeled in part on the previous Hershey Hill Climbs and the famed Goodwood Festival of Speed, the event will consist of speed exhibitions featuring mostly pre-war race cars sanctioned by the Vintage Sports Car Club of America (VSCCA).
Grandstands will be available at the start and near the finish line, along with a trail up the hill where spectators may watch during runs on June 7 and 8. Each day during the midday hours, guests may opt to purchase a VIP ticket that will allow them ride in one of the cars with a professional driver. Vendors and food concessions will be stationed at the Midway along with a vintage race car display, plus additional family-friendly activities.
Cars and Coffee will return on June 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a fee per car until 9 a.m. No preregistration is required. Attendees are encouraged to bring their cars.
The Concours d'Elegance will be available on June 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the gardens of the Hotel Hershey. Modeled after the grandest concours hosted in Europe and America, the garden party is expected to feature more than 70 collector cars. The race cars from The Grand Ascent will be on display as well as automotive art, lifestyle art, and more. There is a per-person cost to attend.
Among the vehicles to be displayed are two famous and important concept cars from the collection of General Motors. The vehicles will not be roped off, so visitors will be able to view the cars up close.
The 1951 General Motors LeSabre show car was the first concept car produced by the GM Styling Section following World War II. The LeSabre reflects GM Styling vice president Harley Earl's fascination with the sleek designs found in high-performance aircraft of the day. Lightweight materials were used throughout the car, and the 201.87-inch-long vehicle was carried by a supercharged V-8 engine.
A unique feature of this car is the two rubberized 20-gallon gas tanks - one to hold gasoline and one to hold methyl-alcohol. The alcohol gave the car additional power after the accelerator pedal was pushed beyond the halfway position. Other features include the wrap-around windshield, electric windows, and a built-in hydraulic system that enabled the car to be lifted when a tire had be changed.
The 1959 Cadillac Cyclone also reflects the influence of aircraft design, both in its instruments and in the canopy, which allows both the driver and passenger to have a 360-degree view of the surroundings. The car also boasts numerous power-operated features, such as doors that open electronically, allowing people to slide them back for easy entrance, and headlights that flip up 180 degrees from under the front grille. The Cyclone also has a device that would scan the road and let the driver know if there was a foreign object in its path. A 325-horsepower V-8 engine is nestled in the nose of the car, with the exhaust routed just ahead of the front wheels.
Tickets for all events will be available on-site or may be purchased in advance at http://www.TheEleganceAtHershey.com. Children age 15 and under may attend all events free of charge. For more information about The Elegance at Hershey and the individual events, readers may visit the aforementioned website.
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