People
Mr. McQueen
Wed Jul 24 2013 00:22:10 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Love for Lincoln
At 16, some teenagers get their driver's license, and a lucky few even receive a car. Emily Passey, though, gets to show a massive and magnificent 1932 Lincoln KB V-12 Dietrich Convertible Sedan at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
“I still have not been able to wrap my head around what I am doing,” says Emily. “It’s really an honor because I know that some people would die to be able to do this—and the fact that I am able to do it at only 16 is really cool! I’m still shocked that I get this opportunity.”
Emily, a third generation car enthusiast, is the granddaughter of Jack Passey, one of the most experienced judges at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance; at the upcoming August 18 event he will be honored for 40 years of service. A great admirer of vintage era vehicles and an ardent early advocate for their preservation, Jack’s own collection of cars has included a total of 92 Lincolns. He has also played a key role in helping to build and organize major collections for people such as Otis Chandler and a multitude of friends.
Jack’s love of cars is infectious, as evidenced by his own family. Bill Passey, Jack’s son, grew up participating in car tours and helping maintain the collection. He first joined Jack as an official judge at the Pebble Beach Concours back in 1997, a year before his daughter Emily was born.
“Because of my dad, an interest in cars came naturally to me,” explains Bill. “And now it is important for me to try and keep my children excited about the hobby. The opportunity to show a car at the Pebble Beach Concours is a great way to get Emily even more involved—and it will be a neat experience and a great memory for the whole family.”
Emily first attended this Concours when she was just 10 weeks old, and she was driving long before it was legal for her to be out on the road. She mastered a manual transmission at age 11 and practiced driving around the family’s property.
On Concours Sunday, Emily will drive her grandfather’s Lincoln KB onto the 18th Fairway at Pebble Beach Golf Links. She will also be demonstrating it for the judges and answering their questions. Emily is a bit nervous about that—but she has two great coaches to prep her.
“My family’s interest in cars has definitely transferred down to me,” continues Emily. “I love the history behind them. I love listening to my grandpa tell stories about previous owners and what he went through to acquire a certain car. I really respect my grandpa’s collection.”
Lincoln will be featured at the 63rd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. There will be four full classes of Lincolns with custom coachwork, and each of these Lincolns is rare and unique. The cars will range from truly representative Lincolns such as the extremely elegant and ultra-conservative 1930 Lincoln Model L Judkins Coupe, to the very bold 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis Boano Coupe, a bright orange one-off concept car.
In addition to beautifully designed Lincolns, there will also be several unique historic cars, including the 1950 Lincoln Presidential Limousine Dietrich Convertible that served as the presidential car to Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy, along with an array of Ford family cars.
In addition to Lincoln, the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach Resorts will feature Simplex, Vanvooren Coachwork, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Porsche 911, BMW 507 and French Motorcycles. More at https://www.pebblebeachconcours.net/pages/4992
Mr. McQueen
Sat Jan 19 2013 02:01:27 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
There’s a lot to be said for the grid girls we had before massive, multi-million dollar sponsors took over the pit lane. There’s a certain character and an appeal to girls like this that couldn’t be matched by even 100 cookie-cutter pit lane girls in identical vinyl and polyester outfits.
