Vintage/classic vehicles exhibited, prizes awarded

A final look at this year’s Concours d’Elegance at Carillon Park.

More than 200 cars and motorcycles, perfect blue skies and a temperature about 80 degrees were the key elements to attracting thousands of visitors to Carillon Historical Park in Dayton for the 12th edition of the Dayton Concours d’Elegance Sept. 16.

Here is a final look at photos of this year’s show, which serves as the largest annual fundraising event held at the park, and benefits Dayton History, Montgomery County’s official historical organization. All proceeds from the weekend help preserve and interpret more than 40 buildings and millions of artifacts connected to the region’s history, and provide year-round educational programming.

The “crown jewel” of the park is the 1905 Wright Flyer III — the only airplane designated a National Historic Landmark, the first practical flying machine, and what the Wright brothers considered their most important aircraft. It is protected inside what is now the John W. Berry Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum. Dayton History announced Aug. 31 that its Wright Brothers Aviation Center now carries that official national designation.

The Concours is made possible through the hard work and dedication of the Concours Committee and volunteers, Dayton History staff and the support of such corporate partners as AAA Miami Valley.

Skip Peterson served as show chairman, while Mike Edgerton was automobile selection director.

The date for the 13th annual Dayton Concours d’Elegance is tentatively set for Sept. 15, 2019.

The 1907 Kauffman Hatfield Buggyabout was built in Miamisburg. This one is owned by the Miamisburg Historical Society, and is now in running condition. Here spectators watch as the engine is running. Pickup trucks were introduced in the U.S. 100 years ago, and there was a special class for them at this year’s Concours. Jack Rans of Indianapolis brought his 1921 Marmon Speedster to the Concours, where it captured the Chairman’s Award. Spectators mingle among the cars at the 12th Dayton Concours d’Elegance at Carillon Park.

PHOTOS BY HAYLIE SCHLATER Cadillac was one of the featured marques; this 1957 Cadillac Eldorado belonging to Robert Werner of Dayton won the People’s Choice Award. It features a stainless-steel roof.

Motorcycles and scooters are also shown, with more than 30 on the grounds for the Concours. There is a “mini” Concours showing model cars each year, this year attracting 100-plus scale models.