Photo courtesy of the Studebaker National Museum
SOUTH BEND, IN — The JBS Collection of Elkhart, Indiana, along with co-sponsor LaVine Restorations, Inc. and the hosting Studebaker National Museum, presents the 6th annual Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm, Saturday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event takes place on the grounds of the Copshaholm House Mansion in downtown South Bend, Indiana.
The Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm, which has grown into the largest single-day attraction of the year held at the historic campus, showcases the connection between the City of South Bend and the automotive industry—a connection that dates back to the early 1900s and the Studebaker Corporation.
“The Concours at Copshaholm has really caught the wind in its sails the past few years among car enthusiasts,” said Patrick Slebonick, Executive Director of the Studebaker National Museum. “We’re a smaller show field than many other Concours events, but we’ve used that to our advantage and worked hard to grow this into a world-class event. Because we’re a smaller event, we can place a sharper focus on quality, and our approach is to try and curate ‘mini exhibits’ across the beautiful, historic Copshaholm campus that enthrall, entertain, and educate. Our goal is to grow this into a multi-day event with new experiences, expanded offerings, and additional educational opportunities. We want everyone in the area and automotive fans worldwide to, one day, circle this event on their calendar.”
The automotive classes at the 2024 Copshaholm Concours include those that pique local and regional interest, such as Love that Lark! All 1959-1966 Studebaker Larks and Lark-type automobiles, and timely categories such as The Mustang at 60: An open class for 1965-1989 Ford Mustangs. The Mustang at 60 category commemorates the 60th anniversary of what is, arguably, Ford’s most iconic vehicle. Awards at the 2024 Concours at Copshaholm include Best of Show and Best of Class, as well as a selection of Premier Awards that includes the J. M. Studebaker Award.
The J.M. Studebaker Award honors the Most Outstanding Studebaker in the entire show field.
“This event celebrates all automobiles, but we are a Studebaker facility, and this is still a Studebaker Town, and we try to honor local history,” said Slebonick. “J.M. Studebaker was at the helm during Studebaker’s transition from wagons to automotive, and an award in his name connects the history of Studebaker to this community. That’s important for us. In regard to this event, it’s also important to acknowledge The JBS Collection and owner Jack Boyd Smith Jr. as a conduit between this area and automotive history. We are grateful for Jack’s vision. He gave this event his support in its infancy because he knew what this could become. Even before holding our first event, Jack agreed to lend his collection’s name to this concours, and we continue to be deeply thankful for his involvement.”
The emergence of the Copshaholm event also speaks to the rare and unique working relationship between sponsors The JBS Collection and LaVine Restorations. LaVine Restorations, located in Nappanee, Indiana, and owned by Vivian and Eric LaVine, is a world-renowned and sought-after restorer of automobiles with 50 years of demonstrated field expertise. LaVine Restorations has performed full restorations for several of the automobiles in Smith Jr.’s collection, including vehicles that have gone on to win awards at major Concours events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, The Amelia Concours d’Elegance, the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, The Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, and others.
“The relationship between The JBS Collection, which in a relatively short time has grown into one of the top 100 collections in the world, and LaVine Restorations can only be described as fate,” said Slebonick. “Their partnership represents a perfect combination of people with an incredible passion for automotive artistry and history. To witness some of the immaculate, award-winning restoration projects our sponsors have completed only solidifies that notion. Jack has an uncanny eye and a gift for finding, sourcing, and identifying automobiles, and a rare grasp of historical significance. And Vivian and Eric are known for their company’s incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail.”
As a sponsor, The JBS Collection—which traveled in May to the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Lake Como, Italy—shows automobiles at Copshaholm for presentation only. Smith Jr. and his collection will not be eligible for any of the 20 awards presented at the event. Nevertheless, Copshaholm remains a rewarding, unique, and important experience.
“Copshaholm is one of my favorite events,” said Smith Jr. “Indiana is home for me, and South Bend and Elkhart and other areas of the state are firmly a part of automotive history. This Concours has developed a reputation for creativity and quality, and Pat and the whole team at the Studebaker National Museum have done a great job to grow this. It’s a thrill to present this event in partnership with my good friends Vivian and Eric LaVine, and an honor to share our combined love and appreciation for historic and classic cars with area folks and automobile fans. That feeling—being able to facilitate this for the local community—is just as good, if not in some ways better, than bringing home an award from someplace far away.”
2024 Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm – Schedule of Events
- 7-9 a.m. – Exhibitor Entry/Vehicle Placement
- 9 a.m. – Judging Begins
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. – Junior Judging
- 10 a.m. – Concours and Museum Campus Open to the Public
- 10 – 11 a.m. – Exhibitor Only Copshaholm (Oliver) Mansion Tours
- 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Driven to Design Lego Racetrack Open
- 11 a.m. – Copshaholm “Oliver” Mansion open for General Public
- 2:30 p.m. – Pass-In-Review & Awards Presentation
- 4 p.m. – Concours Closes
- 5 p.m. – Museum Campus Closes
To learn more about the 6th Annual Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm, please call (574) 235-9714.
About The JBS Collection
The 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.
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