Welcome to the Concours
There’s an undeniable charm to seeing valuable cars displayed on the well-manicured grass of a golf course. Imagine relocating these vehicles systematically onto a recently paved racetrack at one of North Carolina’s premier automobile clubs. This setting sets the stage for the 2025 Heritage Invitational.
This year's Heritage Invitational Not only did they honor some of the most coveted icons from car history, but they also marked the launch of the Ten Tenths Motor Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Situated just beyond Turns One and Two of Charlotte Motor Speedway, this track designed by Alex Wurz encircles a members-only clubhouse catering to North Carolina’s elite automotive aficionados. The concept was brought forth by Rick Hendrick along with Marcus Smith, who serves as both the president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports.
Selecting the top vehicles is not a simple task. lineup That featured every V12 Lamborghini and two instances of the Mercedes-AMG ONE, however, these four really caught my attention among them.
1964 Iso Rivolta (Owned by Richard Lincoln)
This magnificent Italian grand touring car stands out from everything else I’ve encountered. It brings back memories of the Ferrari 412—both regal and equally stylish and good-looking. Moreover, it’s equipped with an American V8 engine beneath its bonnet, blending classic European aesthetics with powerful American engineering. This particular Iso Rivolta is unit number 196 out of the total 799 produced until manufacturing ceased in 1970; notably, just ten of these had a sunroof, which makes this one exceptionally scarce.
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG Project One (Owner: Rick Hendrick)
This vehicle is truly remarkable. The AMG ONE is an exclusive plug-in hybrid hypercar crafted by Mercedes-AMG, utilizing technology from Formula One racing cars. It features a 1.6-liter Mercedes-Benz PU106B Hybrid E-turbo V6 engine combined with four electric motors, delivering a staggering output of 1,049 horsepower. Just 275 examples were manufactured, each priced at $2.72 million apiece.
1932 Ford Roadster "Golden Rod" (Owned by Three Dog Garage)
In this edition of "Wow, what is that?!," we introduce you to the Golden Rod. It’s an authentic, unmodified representation of a late '50s East Coast custom car crafted by Jack Lentz out of Middleton, New Jersey. During his service period between 1951 and 1954, Lentz saw action in both Korea and Japan with the U.S. Army where he worked as a radio operator. Upon returning home after the war, he established his own auto body business in Belford, New Jersey, running it successfully up until his retirement at 81 years old in 2010. Truly a remarkable individual!
The Golden Rod started as a 1932 Ford Roadster which was dropped by three-and-a-half inches, channeling it another eight inches lower overall, and having its grill shortened by five inches. The engine was a 1949 Mercury flathead V-8, bored out to .060 over with a three-quarters race cam installed, resulting in a compression ratio of 9.5:1. Should you find yourself captivated by images of this vehicle, prepare for even stronger feelings when viewing it firsthand; imagine feeling shy just like during your very first romantic encounter. This masterpiece beautifully blends the raw allure typical of hot rods with the refined artistry only a true craftsman could achieve - something truly difficult to describe adequately.
1979 Datsun 280ZX (Owner: Randy Jaffe)
You shouldn’t hold me responsible for this; after all, I drive a Nissan 300ZX. The specific 280ZX mentioned here was presented to Jim “Fitzy” Fitzgerald of the SCCA, known for mentoring Paul Newman. His role included building and racing cars for Nissan. Inside the car sits an L28 engine equipped with three Solex Mikuni carburetors, coupled with a five-speed Datsun Comp II gearbox and an R180 differential. Throughout his career from 1978 to 1983, mainly competing in Eastern regions, Fitzgerald piloted this Datsun 280ZX across multiple categories. Rumor has it he secured victories in around 350 competitions throughout his tenure, largely due to this very vehicle. Besides its intimidating appearance, listening to the raw power of the L28 engine would make anyone’s hair stand on end. That unmistakable growl resonates deeply within you, activating primal instincts. Simply stated, it’s stunning.
Final thoughts
The Heritage Invitational stood out among Concours events I've been to because of its remarkable diversity. The venue added an extra layer of grandeur and enhanced how these automotive masterpieces were showcased. Big thanks go to the Ten Tenths Motor Club for inviting us to their gathering and we extend our wishes for continued success with such endeavors!