Honored Collector

BY BARRY KAUFMAN | PHOTOS SUPPLIED

There are collectors who will see a historic automobile as something that must be carefully preserved, hermetically sealed, lest the dust and contamination of the modern world ruin its elegantly timeless design.

And there are collectors like Dirk and Alexandra de Groen, who will treat their treasures like the irreplaceable objects of a bygone era that they are, while at the same time taking them

on a rip-roaring road trip across the world.

“I’m not the kind of guy who has garage queens,” said Dirk. “That’s perfectly fine, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but that’s not my favorite aspect of the hobby. I’m a driver. I build them up and run them down and the cycle continues.”

As he talked to Monthly about his plans for the Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance & Island Motoring Festival, where he is the honored collector, Dirk had just returned from a two-day race between Athens and Rome. That might seem like a long way to take a vintage car, but it’s nothing compared to the 33 days the couple spent racing between Peking and Paris in 2013.

“We’ve done the road to Mandalay, we did Africa. Just before COVID we raced on the Adriatic and the Balkans into former Yugoslavia… it’s just great fun.”

1937 BMW 328

A native of the Netherlands, de Groen’s lifelong obsession with cars started young: at just 12 years old he was already driving. It wasn’t long before his need for speed gelled into a fixation for German automobiles.

“For me, a car is not just a piece of metal and some parts. It’s really the story behind it,” he said. “That’s why I’m a lousy seller, because I get attached to these stories. You drive one of these and you can almost feel like you’re that guy in 1934 who first drove this machine.”

And de Groen’s cars have stories. Each one in his collection speaks to a different era, a different driver and a different world. Selecting from among his volume of 25 page-turners was no easy feat, but he was able to pick out five which he will display during this year’s Concours.

First off, there is his personal favorite, a 1937 328 BMW Roadster. “It’s a very special car. It’s not only one of the first 328s ever made, it’s the second oldest one still surviving,” he said.

1960 BMW 700 Sport

But don’t think he takes it easy on this vintage masterpiece just because of its rarity. In true Dirk de Groen fashion, he’s sped across California and Germany behind the wheel of this showpiece.

“The car just hugs you. It’s like you as the driver and the car become one.”

Then there’s the endurance race veteran, a 1958 Mercedes Benz 219 that, according to de Groen, “probably still has Mongolian mud in the trunk.” Originally built for heavy-duty fleet use, this car has been modified to withstand the punishment of long-distance rallies.

“It’s maybe not a Concours car, but it’s a very special car. For me, it’s a way to show people that they really have to use the cars to enjoy them.”

And if you want to talk about stories, few can touch the provenance of the 1960 BMW 700 Sport he’ll be displaying. Renowned as the car that saved BMW from bankruptcy in the 1950s, the car spent 55 years in Algeria.

- 1971 BMW 2002 Alpina A2 On a trip from Paris to Amsterdam in 2019.

“It was owned by a French mechanic, and when the French got kicked out of Algeria, he left and took it with him.”

The story told by the 1971 BMW Alpina A2 he’s bringing is a little more personal, tying back to his youth. “It’s very dear to my heart, and I’m very proud to have it,” he said. “When I was in technical college I did an internship at BMW and Alpina, and this is one of the few that still works.”

And with the 1990 BMW Z1 Alpina RLE, de Groen is telling a story that he hopes will continue into a new generation. “It normally would not qualify because it’s not old enough, but I really think that for the hobby to stay alive, we need to get younger people involved,” he said. “This brings out something new.”

You can see all these fascinating vehicles, and relive their amazing stories, when the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival rolls onto the island Nov. 4-6. For more information, visit hhiconcours.com.

For six years, the Grand Motoring Film Festival has treated Hilton Head residents to a unique cinematic experience circling around the automotive world. This year the event, running during the island’s Concours d’ Elegance & Motoring Festival, will provide all the sophistication and celebration of automobile culture that ticket holders expect, including a juried awards show.

“There’s so much to celebrate when it comes to the art of the automobile and the culture that revolves around motoring, and there are so many fantastic films that embody that spirit,” said festival founder Guy Smith.

The festival begins with a VIP-cocktail reception, displays of classic and collector cars scattered through the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina while guests enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres. The film selection for the night ranges from short works, premieres and a feature film blending genres to highlight automotive cinema.

Thursday’s (Nov. 3) ticket holders are able to watch more top-rated films free on Friday, Nov. 4, at Coligny Theater. Tickets for the Friday showings and panel discussions are available on the festival’s website.

Judges for the film competition are top notch, including Hilton Head resident Simone Griffeth, whose portfolio of work includes major movies, television shows and the 1975 cult classic, Death Race 2000.

With a selection of entries that reflects all motoring films, judging took place recently, with the announcement of finalists in the categories soon after. Submissions include documentaries, web videos, brand films, TV shows and more. Also named recently were featured films for the Thursday reception and the full screening schedule for the Friday event.

This year marks the first that the Grand Motoring festival is a part of Hilton Head’s month-long Crescendo celebration of art, culture and history.

EVENT: Grand Motoring Film Festival opening WHEN: Nov. 3, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. WHERE:Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island WEBSITE: GrandMotoring.com or Filmfreeway.com/grandmotoringfilmfestival TICKETS: artshhi.com

Airport. The event features vintage aircraft that are flown in from across the country and are showcased alongside

Concours cars. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

CLASSIC. Included with a ticket to the Car Club Showcase. In its 35th year. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. • LEGENDS OF THE AUTOBAHN. A celebration of German automotive engineering on the East Coast will be held in conjunction with the Car Club Showcase at the Port Royal Golf

Club. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Invited clubs select the members to showcase their club with nearly 200 cars on display. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. • AERO EXPO AT HILTON HEAD AIRPORT. Features vintage aircraft from the past as well as new and advanced aircraft.

Classic automobile examples and new and advanced automobiles will be displayed. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. • DESIGN AMONG THE STARS. Features some of the world’s most notable automotive designers sketching live to benefit the Driving Young America charitable fund. At Harbour Town

Clubhouse at the Sea Pines Resort. 6:30 p.m.

HAGERTY: Live music at the Port Royal Golf Club following the announcement of the Car Club Showcase’s Best of Show.

Tastings will be offered from a selection of South Carolinabased distilleries and breweries from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and access is included with admission to the Car Club Showcase.

• SUNDAY CONCOURS will feature more than 200 cars and motorcycles that will enter the first and 18th fairways of Port

Royal Golf Club’s Planter’s Row Golf Course. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Concours d’Elegance offers discounts for students. Students (with a valid student I.D.) receive free general admission at the gate to the car club showcase and Concours d’Elegance. One parent per child who receives complimentary admission will receive 50% off general admission at the gate upon request. The discount is available for up to one parent/guardian per student. Active duty military (with active duty I.D.) And immediate family will receive 50% off general ad-mission at the gate.

Master car restorer Wayne Carini is the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival’s grand marshal. He has done body and paint work on rare car collections owned by the likes of David Letterman, tennis great Ivan Lendl and the DuPont family. He has been featured in the New York Times as well as numerous automobile magazines. Carini owns and operates three companies in Portland, Connecticut.

Youngsters have a chance to learn about cool classics cars. On Nov. 5, Hagerty is offering its Youth Judging Program, designed to get kids ages 6-14 more involved by bringing the world of judging to a kid-friendly level. Learn more at hhiconcours.com/youth-judging.

After more than 20 years Meredith Kronz, Exhibitor Concierge Coordinator, announced her retirement. “It is difficult, if not impossible, to sum up her achievements over 20 years of dedicated service,” the Concours d’Elegance said.

John Carlson is the chief judge for the Hilton Island Concours d’Elegance. He is a University of British Columbia graduate who has spent 30 years in secondary education specializing in fine art and antique automobile restoration. He is serving his 21st year as President and CEO of the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada Corporation.

The Pinnacle Award debuted in 2013 in conjunction with the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance’s move to the world-class Port Royal Golf Club. Anne Brockinton Lee was named the award’s 2022 winner. She has hand-selected five automobiles from her collection. On Nov. 5-6, a hand-picked selection of her collection will be on display in the Short Game practice area.