JBS Collection wows at Hampton Court

ELKHART, IN — The JBS Collection took both First and Second Place in the Best Pre-1940 American Coachbuilt Car category at the 2024 Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, Aug. 30-Sept. 1, in the London borough of Richmond upon Thames. The collection’s legendary 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible, originally owned by famed American aviator Amelia Earhart, won first place in the category, and its award-winning 1933 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron was honored with second place in the category.

The 13th edition of the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace welcomed over 14,000 guests as it presented a generous display of privately owned road vehicles and a selection of 60 of the rarest competition cars from around the world. A 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Convertible by Inskip was chosen as the 2024 Best in Show winner. The Phantom III convertible coupé, powered by a 7.3-litre V12 engine, is one of only 727 Phantom III models produced and is of a small number of such models manufactured in the United States. Uniquely, the Best in Show winner at Hampton Court is traditionally chosen by the Concours car owners themselves, as opposed to a panel of judges.

Hampton Court Palace originally began construction in 1514 for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the chief minister of King Henry VIII. In 1529, having fallen out of favor, Wolsey gave the estate to the king as a residence. Hampton Court is renowned for its manicured gardens and exquisite fountains, and is an ideal atmosphere in which to enjoy the lasting magnificence of rare, ornate, and historic automobiles. Hampton Court is also known for its celebrated maze, its historic royal tennis court, and a monumental grapevine thought to be one of the largest in the world.

“There is such a beautiful atmosphere at Hampton Court Palace—the majesty of this place and this event is simply second-to-none,” said Jack Boyd Smith Jr. “It’s a big honor to win any awards at a show like this one. To take both first and second place in the same category is one of those things where it certainly lets you know that you’re doing something right. This has been a tremendous season for us, and we’re thankful we had the chance to be at Hampton Court to present two of our automobiles. As always, we continue to work to build the collection and plan for future shows. Our goal is, and always will be, to share our historic and rare vehicles with as many people as we possibly can all over the world.”

The JBS Collection’s 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible was designed by American automobile architect Gordon M. Buehrig and set an early standard for luxury, design, and innovation. The Phaeton’s interior, featuring a machine-turned aluminum dashboard, closely resembles the cockpit of an airplane, and the Cord’s front-wheel-drive was the first of its kind in the American automobile industry. Earhart’s 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible went through several owners after the famed aviator’s 1937 disappearance and was ultimately disassembled and parted throughout the country.

In 2018 The JBS Collection purchased the automobile from collector Ray Foster, who, after many years of research, was able to find the Phaeton’s original components and unite the car’s original frame with its original engine. After procuring the vehicle from Foster, Smith Jr. commissioned LaVine Restorations, Inc., of Nappanee, Indiana, to bring Earhart’s automobile back to its original specs and its original glory. In 2023 the fully-restored 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton Convertible was the 33rd vehicle to be inducted into the National Historic Vehicle Register. In honor of that achievement, the Cord was presented under glass on the National Mall as part of the 2023 Cars at the Capital event in Washington, D.C.

The JBS Collection’s 1933 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron, also restored by LaVine Restorations, is one of fewer than 20 of its kind still in existence. Known as the “Imperial 8,” the 1933 Chrysler Imperial came off the line with a new, nine-bearing, straight-eight engine—hence, the nickname—that was larger than anything previously produced by DeSoto or Dodge. In 2023 alone, The JBS Collection’s Imperial 8 earned Best in Class honors (American Classics 1931-1932) at The Amelia Concours d’Elegance in Amelia Island, Florida, and First Prize (Pre-War High Speed Luxury) at Cernobbio, Italy’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este—held annually near the Villa d’Este hotel on the captivating western shore of Lake Como in northern Italy. 

“Both of the automobiles we brought to Hampton Court are, I think, very representative of who we are as a collection,” said Smith Jr. “We’re a bold, hard-working American collection—and we’re rising. I’m proud of that. The Cord is essentially a rolling memorial to a woman who is an absolute American icon. Amelia Earhart was way ahead of her time in so many ways. I am so thankful to have been able to—with the help of my partners at LaVine Restorations—restore both of these incredible vehicles and bring them back to life. It was a huge thrill to show the Cord at Hampton Court, and we are equally proud of our Imperial 8 for—once again—representing our collection so very well.”

About The JBS CollectionThe automobiles in The JBS Collection represent the ultimate in early automotive design, craftsmanship, and innovation. Educating future generations about the merits and importance of each piece guides every addition to the collection. The select autos in The JBS Collection are more than just vehicles; they demonstrate what can be achieved with forward thinking and effort. The collection seeks to advance the cause of preserving and promoting invaluable vessels of art, design, engineering, luxury, and heritage. https://thejbscollection.com/

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