BOCA RATON, Fla. – The sixth annual Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance presented by Mercedes-Benz will, for the first-time ever, honor three automotive industry icons with the 2012 Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award – Carroll Shelby, Edsel Ford and John Staluppi – in the categories of Automobile Racing, Automobile Manufacturer and Automobile Dealer. The awards will be presented Feb. 25 at the Black-Tie Optional Gala held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Fla.
“Each year, the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance honors an automotive industry leader for their dedication to the automobile world and automotive business endeavors,” said Rick Case, founder and producer of the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance. “This year, we felt there was more than one industry legend deserving of this recognition. We chose to honor Carroll Shelby, Edsel Ford and John Staluppi for each of their respective personal and professional contributions to the automotive industry.”
Carroll Shelby, Automobile Racing
Having been a race driver, team owner, designer, engineer, manufacturer and consultant over the course of the past 50 years, there are few individuals who have experienced the auto industry as Shelby has. One of America’s greatest race car drivers, he is perhaps best known for founding Shelby American, the premier performance car company in the United States. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012, the company has been at the forefront of automotive innovation since it was established by Shelby in 1962.
Shelby’s inspiration and vision have made him the force behind many of the industry’s most beloved automobiles, including the Cobra, Series 1, Ford GT40, Viper, Ford Shelby Mustangs and the Ford GT. In his driving career, he has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and set land speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats. He is the only man to ever win Le Mans as a driver, team owner and manufacturer.
Edsel Ford, Automobile Manufacturer
Edsel B. Ford, II is a member of the board of directors of Ford Motor Co. As a consultant to Ford, he is active in company affairs and corporate dealer relations. He is the great-grandson of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Co., and his grandfather is Edsel B. Ford, who was company president from 1919 to 1943. His late father, Henry Ford II, was president of the company from 1945 to 1960 and chairman from 1960 to 1980.
Ford began his career at the company in January 1974. He was named president and chief operating officer of Ford Motor Credit Co. in May 1991 and elected a company vice president in 1993. He is a board member of the International Speedway Corp. and is also the former chairman of the Detroit Branch of the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank.
John Staluppi, Automobile Dealer
Owner of Staluppi Auto Group headquartered in North Palm Beach, Fla., John Staluppi started out as a 16-year-old mechanic. He was motivated and talented and soon became an expert in cars. He went for the American dream and had the courage to do what he really loved – to be a part of the automotive industry in America.
Through practical experiences and creative marketing, Staluppi was able to take a risk on a venture called Honda – an unknown name at the time. Staluppi was, however, able to see its potential. Within a decade of hard work, he owned close to 20 dealerships and the Honda name took off in the United States. His commitment to Honda during this time made him an integral part of shaping the automotive industry. He then moved on to Hyundai, which was another successful investment that showcased his business philosophy to stay with quality franchises, focus on a particular market and try to get the best people. In 2010, the Staluppi Auto Group was the eighth largest auto group in the country selling more than 85,000 cars with more than $2 billion in sales at the company’s 24 dealerships.
The sixth annual Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance is honoring the 50th anniversary of the Shelby Cobra and James Bond and the upcoming 100th anniversary of Aston Martin with a commemoration from Feb. 24 through Feb. 26 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Fla. One of the country’s biggest and most influential automotive events, the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance spans three days with an exciting line-up of activities, all to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.
For additional information on the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance and to see a full schedule of events, visit www.bocaCDE.com.
