Class 1 Antiques thru 1924 “Brass Era” — The beginning of the automobile era through the early 1920s is considered the antique / brass era. During this time many automobile manufactures were using brass for headlights, radiators, windshield frames, etc. Hence the brass era.
Class 2 Vintage 1925-1949 This is a hard class to define. Generally ‘vintage cars” are described as automobiles manufactured between 1919 and 1930. Our definition of “Vintage” automobiles are not as old as “Brass Era” and extend through the first few years following World War II (1949).
Class 3 CCCA 1915-1948 — The Classic Car Club of America recognizes significant automobiles, both foreign and domestic, that meet the club’s requirements. Generally speaking, a car must be distinctive, such as having a custom body. Often, the cars were exclusive, high-priced models when new.
Class 4 Coach Built Classics — The practice of elaborate coachbuilding carried on, especially in Europe, up until World War II. Coachbuilding houses in the UK, Italy, France, Germany and elsewhere built custom bodies for the chassis that Bugatti, Alfa Romeo and other luxury carmakers would produce. Some ultra-luxury vehicles were produced as chassis only, which were then handed off to various coach builders. Duesenberg, Bugatti and Rolls-Royce employed this method of production in the ’30s and ’40s.
Class 5A Collector American Open 1947-1975 — The 1950s were pivotal for the American automobile industry. The years following World War II sparked a revolution in automotive design and technology. This era brought a wide range of new technologies to the automobile consumer but big problems for the independent automobile manufacturers who could not benefit from mass production and the economies of scale. The age of small independent automakers was nearly over, as most of them either consolidated or went out of business. By the end of the decade, the industry had reshaped itself into the Big Three, Studebaker and AMC.
Class 5B Collector American Closed 1947-1975 — A number of innovations were either invented or improved sufficiently to allow for mass production after WW II: air conditioning, automatic transmission, supercharging, power steering, power brakes, seat belts and most significantly the overhead-valve V8 engine. Studebaker was the first independent automaker to produce a low-priced V8 and the horsepower race had begun, laying the foundation for the muscle car era. Further challenges came with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and regulations governing automobile fuel economy in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Class 6 Sports Classics — Sports cars follow a number of paths to reach high levels of performance. For some, it is lightweight and a balanced suspension. Others use larger engines and technology to surpass the standard family car.
Class 7 Foreign Collector — Collector Foreign is an eclectic collection of automobiles from English, German and Japanese manufactures. The class includes sporting, touring and luxury automobiles from the 1930s to 1970. The cars in this class are sought after, and some have been kept in the same family for generations.
Class 8 Sports Contemporary — Sports cars follow a number of paths to reach high levels of performance. For some, it is light weight and a balanced suspension. Others use larger engines and technology to surpass the standard family car.
Class 9 Contemporary Classics — Performance and exotic cars have made huge gains in the last three decades. This class features everything from European exotics to a rare American exotic, wearing Italian coachwork, to a seminal Japanese sports car.
Class 10 “Featured Marque” Aston Martin —
Class 11 Corvette — “Most Wanted” wishlist for the July event. If you have a unique corvette, please contact us.
Class 12 American Performance 1955 – 1975 During the late ’50s through the mid ’70s American manufactures attempted to out do each other with higher performance cars. By the mid ’70s insurance costs and gasoline prices had increased significantly to curtail this performance craze.
Class 13 Classic Thunderbirds 1955-1957 — Ford’s first Thunderbird was released (1955) in late 1954 not as a Corvette competitor, but designed for the Country Club Market. Ford’s two seater Thunderbird had a production run through the 1957 model year. During 1956 and 1957 Ford released “E” and ”F” code versions. These models were equipped with two 4 bbl carburetors (E) or the optional supercharger version (F ).
Class 14 Carriages — The Carriage Class for 2019 will feature unpainted natural wood carriages. Carriages with varnished finishes were built of the finest blemish free woods with the best grain. These vehicles will showcase the fantastic joinery involved in the carriage making art that is usually hidden under layers of paint.
Class 15 Motorcycles — Motorcycles represent the other side of the world’s motoring choice. Predating the automobile, motorcycles continue to offer multiple styles and manufacturers, options for customization, and a level of freedom and access not offered by automobiles. British, Italian and American motorcycles dominated the industry until the 1960s saw the introduction of the first Japanese bikes, which were less expensive, more reliable and, by the 1970s, much faster, leading to the closing of many established manufacturers.
Class 16 Future Classics — Some cars are classics from the moment they are introduced, whether they are mass-produced or exclusive examples built for the most fanatic owners. They can be familiar muscle cars or designs that harken back more than a century.
Class 17 Loud & Furious —The Loud and Furious class is returning for its 3rd straight year at the Keeneland Concours d’Elegance. This class consists of cars that have been heavily modified as would be seen in the Fast and Furious movies. Modifications to these vehicles focus on customizing and upgrading engines, engine bays, interiors, trunks, wheels, suspension, paint, and body panels.
Class 18 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1969–2012 — 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Pontiac Trans Am and will feature all the anniversary models of the the Trans Am that Pontiac built and the very first year.
