Don Williams of The Auto Collections at IP Marks 35 Years at Concours at Pebble Beach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

Aug. 9, 2006

Contact: Pat Getter

702.794.3114

  pgetter@imperialpalace.com


 

 

 



Don Williams Marks 35 Years at Pebble Beach


 Auto Collections Co-Owner Celebrates Concours Milestone

 

            LAS VEGAS - If it's mid-August, Don Williams is at the Concours
d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, Calif.

 

For 35 years, the co-owner of The Auto Collections at the Imperial Palace
Hotel & Casino has been a prominent supporter and guiding linchpin of the
annual prestigious automobile show on the Monterrey Peninsula. 

 

Williams is the current chairman of the Concours d'Elegance Steering
Committee, a who's who of classic car enthusiasts providing their insights
and knowledge to the world-renown event. The seven-member steering committee
makes long-range recommendations - three to 10 years out - pertaining to
automotive milestones, manufacturers, designers and personalities to be
honored and recommends featured "marques." Steering committee members also
seek major donors for various Concours charity activities and work to
support the spirit and integrity of the show. 

 

In 1999, Williams was honored as the first recipient of the Lorin Tryon
Memorial Award, established to recognize longtime contributors to the
Concours.

 

Since 1991, Williams has held the "Blackhawk Exposition at Pebble Beach" on
the Peter Hay Golf Course at The Lodge. Each year, he features about 65
automobiles for sale.

 

Almost every great car has passed through Williams' hands, although it may
have only been for a short time. He began his automotive career 40 years ago
in Los Angeles. In the '70s, his Automotive Classics was the single largest
supplier of studio cars and period vehicles for television shows such as
"The Waltons" and for major motion pictures including "Grease," "The Sting"
and "Chinatown."

 

Moving to Arizona in 1979, Williams was one of the founding partners of the
Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction.  He moved to Northern California in
1981 and began traveling internationally to buy the most desirable cars in
the world. His ardent passion and incredible eye brought together the finest
quality and unique automobiles available. The challenge and the dream
continued as the architecturally acclaimed Blackhawk Museum was designed and
opened in 1988 to showcase the collection. 

 

In 1986, Williams introduced and produced the first exposition sale in
Tokyo. Due to the exceptional response to this event, Williams and close
friend Erich Traber drew on their experience and vision to produce and
present in Geneva in 1988 the first combination American-style car auction
in conjunction with a classic car exposition sale. Williams and Traber
brought the same combination to Tokyo in 1990. Working closely with
Mitsubishi, they were able to produce the largest and most exciting
automotive event of its type ever held in Asia.

 

Also in 1986, Williams formed a partnership with longtime friend Richie
Clyne and started "The Auction," which was held at the Imperial Palace, and
sales events at Hershey, Pa. In 1999, the two bought The Auto Collections at
the Imperial Palace from then hotel owner Ralph Engelstad. In November, The
Auto Collections will celebrate its 25th anniversary. 

 

The Imperial Palace is home to the award-winning tribute show "Legends in
Concert" and the DealertainersT, celebrity impersonators who deal blackjack.
The hotel also hosts The Auto Collections, the world's largest classic car
showroom with $100 million worth of inventory for sale. Imperial Palace is
the most central stop on the Las Vegas Monorail.  The resort is famous for
"Five-Star-Friendly Service" and includes The Karaoke Club, a race and
sports book, 2,640 rooms and suites, world-class gaming and amenities, a
seasonal poolside luau, 40,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space,
nine specialty restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, state-of-the-art spa and
fitness center, business center, concierge service, medical center, wedding
chapel and reception facilities.

 

-30-

 

 

            Photo: Don Williams, left, in a 1924 Hispano Suiza Tulipwood
restored by Mike Fennel, right, at the 1988 Concours d'Elegance at Pebble
Beach.