Press Release
Chrysler Announces Prizes for Louis Vuitton Classic
09/26/96
Chrysler Corporation Announces Awards for Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center NEW YORK, Sept. 24 -- Rolling art. Drama on wheels. Both terms have been associated with historical classic cars and current Chrysler Corporation vehicles. Chrysler will highlight its role as a respecter and protector of automotive heritage and tradition when it honors four participants in the Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center. Specially designed sculptures will be awarded to four classic cars which best exemplify Chrysler Corporation's overall product philosophy -- Design Elegance, Outstanding Balance and Proportion, Great to Drive and Breakthroughs in Technology. The Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center will take place September 27, 28 and 29, 1996. Over 50 of the world's most rare and valuable classic cars will compete in the first international classic automobile event to take place in New York City. "Chrysler Corporation is pleased to join with Louis Vuitton in initiating this prestigious historical motoring event," said Thomas C. Gale, Chrysler Corporation's Executive Vice President - Product Design and International Operations. "It provides the opportunity to apply Chrysler's contemporary product philosophy and modern interpretation of timeless qualities to the vehicles participating in this event. "We are especially proud to present the uniquely designed bronze and marble sculptures created by Chrysler's own Design Director, Trevor M. Creed, and are certain they will become coveted additions to the owners' collections," added Gale. Chrysler invited four distinguished automotive journalists to judge the eight classes of classic cars and determine the four Chrysler Corporation award winners. The judges include David E. Davis, AUTOMOBILE Magazine; Ken Gross, THE ROBB REPORT; Mick Walsh, CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR; and Brock Yates, CAR & DRIVER. "We sought objective, automotive expertise in judging all of the participants, regardless of marque," said Gale. "We're honored to have journalists of this stature, and are sure they will establish this award as a premiere symbol of automotive heritage." The Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center is open to the public Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sunday, September 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a public awards ceremony held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in front of 30 Rockefeller Center. LOUIS VUITTON CLASSIC AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER 1996 PARTICIPANTS Classic I - Pre 1931 CARS 1920 Vauxhall 30/98 1923 Bugatti Type 23/30 1925 Rolls Royce 20 HP Salamanca 1926 Rolls Royce Phantom I Piccadilly Roadster 1929 Bentley Speed Six 1929 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Blower Class II - Competition Cars 1949 Ferrari 166MM Barchetta 1954/55 Ferrari 121LM 1959 Aston Martin DB-4 GT 1960 Ferrari SWB California Competition Spyder 1960 Scarab Formula Libre 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport 1968 Ford MK IV Class III - Woodies 1929 Ford Model A Wagon 1936 Dodge Westchester Estate Wagon 1941 Ford Super Deluxe Estate Wagon 1948 Mercury Station Wagon 1948 Chrysler Town & Country Convertible 1948 Chrysler Town & Country Convertible Class IV - Pre-War High Performance Cars 1932 Alfa Romeo Monza 1934 Alfa Romeo 8c 2300 Brianza Corsa 1935 Aston Martin Ulster 1936 Delahaye 135M Roadster 1937 Alfa Romeo 8c 2900 Tipo B 1938 Alfa Romeo 8c 2900 Class V - Pre-War Touring Cars 1931 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron Phaeton 1931 Duesenberg J. Franay Convertible Sedan 1933 Pierce Silver Arrow 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II Sedanca de Ville 1936 Voisin C-28 Ambassade 1935 V12 Packard Sport Phaeton Class VI - Grand Touring Cars 1930 Bentley Speed Six 1949 Aston Martin DB-2 Prototype 1959 Porsche Carrera GS GT Competition Coupe 1960 Jaguar XK150S 1964 Ferrari GTO 1996 McLaren GTR Class VII - Post-War Sports Cars 1940 Chrysler Le Baron Thunderbolt 1948 MG TC 1952 Porsche America Roadster 1953 Aston Martin DB-2 1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster 1967 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spyder Class VIII - Post-War Touring Cars 1953 Packard Caribbean Convertible 1955 Maserati A6GCS 1959 Cadillac Convertible 1963 Facel II 1963 Aston Martin DB-5 Convertible 1964 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III Display Cars 1955 D.A. Lubricants Special 1957 Greenman-Casale Special 1961 Autolite Special 1962 Sarkes-Tarzian Special Louis Vuitton Car 1928 Ford Model A pick up Chrysler Concept Cars Plymouth Prowler Chrysler 300