1995 Jaguar

Ford aficionados discovered an unexpected surprise, seeing a 1995 Jaguar XJ-12 convertible, which was the personal car of the youngest son of Edsel Ford (and Henry Ford’s grandson), William Clay Ford. Bill Ford (Sr.) was very instrumental in the buyout of Jaguar in 1990, in part for his love of the car since his college days. This black-on-tan 6-Litre, V-12 convertible was one of only 18,574 that were made between 1992 and 1996. The XJ-12 is one of Jaguar's “Celebration cars,” celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Jaguar. Celebration cars included diamond-turned wheels, embossed seats, and a special wooden steering wheel.  

This completely original 1995 Jaguar XJS was first owned by William Clay Ford as his factory issued personal new car, as a Ford VP at the time. Later, it was bought by a Kansas Ford dealer and kept for 23 years. Very rarely driven, the odometer showed only 22,753 miles when it was delivered to its current owner, William Brooks in Santa Cruz, California.

1956 Mercury Monterey

This ’56 Monterey was finished in two-tone Verona Green and Delta Blue Poly. Almost 43,000 2-door Mercury hardtop coupes were made in 1956, with the 312 V-8 engine. It’s a beautiful example of 1950’s styling.

1966 Ford Galaxie

This “one-year-only” black-on-black 1966 Ford Galaxie is owned by Roger Towne, and has been perfectly restored. The rare Galaxie was a special-ordered “Gentleman’s Performance Car” that featured the 428 cubic-inch 4-barrel engine with cast-iron headers, chrome dress-up kit, an "on-the-floor" 4-speed shifter, and dual exhaust with factory resonators. It was also ordered with heavy duty suspension, a cooling package, heavy duty front disc brakes, and a 3.50:1 rear end. The deluxe black interior includes a center console, plush carpeting, and special badging. Factory options include factory air conditioning, six-way power bucket seats, power windows, power steering, and AM/FM stereo radio. This is one of the most perfect Galaxies I’ve even seen, and its FE sound was very impressive.

1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster

A very rare, black 1965 289 Shelby Cobra (CSX 2560) appeared at the show, with under 40,000 miles on the odometer. This example is one of only a handful of black 289 Cobras, within a production number of 580 for 1965. With a synchromesh 4-speed, hand-formed aluminum body, and 4-wheel disc brakes, it could attain a top speed of 154 mph. Other options included with this beautiful Cobra are the original tool kit and jack, owner’s manual, spare wheel with tie-down bolt, convertible top with side curtains and tonneau cover, luggage rack, and leather-covered seats. This is -- without a doubt -- one of the most beautiful original, black 289 Cobras anywhere, and with its original accessories!

1968 Ford Bronco

Brian Stephenson’s 1968 Bronco is one of 2,200 pickup versions produced that year, and is powered by a 302 V-8. It is painted in Calypso Coral (which was “Poppy Red” for early Mustangs). This was a year of many changes for Bronco, including an all-steel dash, new doors and mirrors, a swing-away tire carrier, and all-electric windshield washers. Today, the early Broncos have been become extremely collectible.

We became “regulars” at this show after attending the 2014 event. Part of the charm of the Danville d’Elegance is that it’s held in the historic town of Danville (population of 43,000), which is nestled in the east San Francisco bay area hills. The other big attraction is that organizers hold this event in three parts: First, a scenic drive on famed country roads of the North San Francisco Bay area. It includes participants who own modern-day cars, plus dealer provided luxury cars, as well as personal collector cars that wish to participate. A special "lunch stop" is part of the daylong tour. That same Saturday evening before the big show, the annual "Dinner d'Elegance" is held at the famous Blackhawk Automotive Museum, where guests get to dine among the collection of highly-prized collector cars in the museum.

The big event on Sunday transforms Danville's quaint main street into a true "Concours d'Elegance" setting that is free to the pubic (although donations to the Fight against Parkinson's is encouraged). Not only is this an opportunity for auto enthusiasts to see world-class vehicles in an outdoor setting, but they also get to talk with the owners about ownership, restoration, as well as the care and maintenance of their prized vehicles.

During the 2014 event, we spotted many great Fords among the entries. Not one but three Ford 351 Cleveland-powered DeTomaso Panteras were at the show, one with a custom decklid spoiler. A fluorescent orange, track-prepped 1988 Mustang GT from the "Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving" was spotted in the high-performance area on a side street to the main show. These 5.0-liter Mustang GTs were the workhorses that taught many how to drive a race car at the Sears Point Raceway (near Napa) in the late 1980s. Still in great shape, it appeared to be driven today in Northern California's vintage racing venues.  

Also at the show was the city of Danville’s own 2008 Mustang GT, replete with all the lights and functions of a real police car. It even has a video screen built into the trunklid to play safety videos at outdoor events.  

Another Mustang found at that 2014 show was a gold 1968 Mustang GT/California Special. Originally sold on Nov. 19, 1968, from Rett-White Motor Sales in Walnut Creek, this 2-barrel 302 V-8 powered GT/CS is today owned by Skeets Dortzbach, and was restored by Richard D. Dortzbach. It has a gold interior and white vinyl top!  

Gary Miller brought his totally-unrestored white 1967 Shelby GT500, which drew a crowd, since finding one in this condition today is nearly impossible. With chipped fiberglass, faded original blue side stripes and oxidized 10-spoke wheels, it's a great source car for "what did they originally do then?" restorers. For eagle-eyed '67 Shelby experts, its assembly-line time frame was somewhere between the louvered hood and the removal of the turn signal/brake lights just behind the upper side scoops.

Near the front of the show that year was this amazing red (one of 505 produced, according to www.boss302.com) 1970 Boss 302. It had the blacked-out taillights, rear-wing spoiler and rear window louvers, and inside we spotted a Hurst shifter with a "T" handle.  

A 1965 Shelby "R" model racer was also on display, with what you'd expect to see on the racing version -- aluminum window frames, center dash gauge pod, R-Model front apron, racing mirrors, monte-carlo bar, interior roll bar, ducted rear plex window, and torque-thrust wheels with racing tires.  Spotted near the 2014 show's entrance were five Cobra Roadsters, including one original 427 version, and a Shelby 50th Anniversary Edition (1964-2014) Cobra with special aluminum badging on the fenders and steering wheel center.

What was a real surprise to see there that year was a black 1938 Ford pickup with the distinctive Art Deco oval front grille, once owned by actor Steve McQueen between 1975 and 1978. McQueen purchased it from Don Williams of the Blackhawk Museum. It was painted in 1972 with black nitrocellulose paint that still looks near-perfect in person. But the scene-stealer Ford of the show was a small 1948 Anglia Fire Truck with the stock 1172cc motor, three-speed transmission and mechanical brakes. As the story goes, Ford of England commissioned the Dennis Fire Engine Company in England to build the fire engine body and rear decks for 25 Anglia chassis. These were to be relegated as fire trucks for indoor factory and warehouse use. This one is the only known survivor of 25 made; it was found in Kansas, where it was owned by a State Senator and used in many parades. After sitting in a garage for many years, it was sold to the present owners, Dave and Jane Wolin, cleaned and polished up in its original condition and brought to the Danville d'Elegance.

1971 Pantera

A red 1971 Pantera, one of three seen at the show. Panteras were originally sold at Lincoln-Mercury dealers.

1988 5.0 Mustang GT

One of the ‘Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving’ 1988 5.0 Mustang GT track cars. This one is run today as a vintage racer

2008 Mustang GT

Danville is apparently an official ‘Mustang Town,’ as evidenced by its own 2008 Mustang Police vehicle, used for public relations events

1968 Mustang GT/CS

Here’s a very rare 1968 Mustang GT/CS. This California Special is one of only 281 made in Sunlit Gold, of the total 4,118 made (including the 251 HCS Mustangs)  

1967 Shelby GT-500

A favorite was this unrestored 1967 Shelby GT-500, shown with weathered paint, faded side stripes and oxidized 10-spoke wheels. A rolling, historical treasure.

1970 Boss 302

One of 505 Red 1970 Boss 302s produced, this one beautifully restored with black interior.

289-Engined Cobra Roadster

Speaking of rare, there was one of the just 50 made, 289-engined Cobra roadsters built for the 50th Anniversary of Carroll Shelby (1964-2014), painted Viking Blue with special badging.

1968 Mustang GT

We spotted a specially-prepared 1968 Mustang GT in "Bullitt" type Highland Green at the show. The big-block engine had a unique, custom-built dual cold-air intake setup. It was built by Cammisa Motor Car Company

1948 Anglia Fire Truck

From "across the pond," a Ford of England Anglia fire truck, built for use inside warehouses, was a star of the 2014 Danville show. Of 25 made, this may be the only survivor.