Way Off the Assembly Line: Honored Nameplates at the 2026 Concours
This year’s honored nameplates prove variety is the spice of automotive life
The curved swoosh of a bumper wrapped around a wheel in the logo of the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival may evoke the aerodynamic flair and bold styling of a certain era of automotive design, but its focus has always been much wider.
From antique brass-and-wood horseless carriages that represent the art form’s primordial past to the technological marvels now prowling our roads, the Concours has always been a celebration of every step in that journey. There are the classic hot rods that would inspire an entire generation of racers, the European masterpieces that elevated automotive design and the American muscle cars that defined a nation.
And beyond what it can do on four wheels, this open-air salute to motoring has always made room for boats, motorcycles and more. In essence, the Concours is a love letter to the things that move us.
The cars being honored this year are a perfect example. Each represents a wildly different interpretation of the automobile, with a shared love of motoring at their intersection.
This year’s Honored Marque, Jaguar, represents the subtle sophistication and refinement of luxury automobiles.
“We’ll be bringing together exceptional Jaguars representing the history and evolution of the marque, including some truly unusual and significant examples,” said Concours spokesperson, Kelly Broome-Smith. “For someone who loves design, engineering and automotive history, this should be a beautiful display.”
Contrasting with the upscale British sensibilities of Jaguar is the high-octane Americana of Pontiac, celebrating 100 years during this year’s Concours.
“That gives us another wonderful opportunity to look at an American marque across generations and remind people how much cultural history is wrapped up in these cars,” added Broome-Smith.
And sometimes a car isn’t about wrapping yourself in luxury or burying the needle on the freeway. Sometimes a car is about setting off into the untamed wild to see just how far it goes. In celebrating 60 years of the Ford Bronco, the Concours is showing it doesn’t mind a little mud on the fenders.
“I think this will have enormous appeal beyond the traditional Concours audience,” said Broome-Smith. “The Bronco has become such an enduring piece of American automotive culture.”
A car can elevate the ordinary drive into something unforgettable. A car can pin you back in your seat as it puts hundreds of horses to work under the hood. A car can take you through the winding trails of the unknown.
No matter how, a car exists to move you. In honoring this trio of wildly different automobiles, this year’s Concours is inviting you along for the ride.
Also See
Buckle Up: What’s New at the 2026 Hilton Head Island Concours
Plan your Concours weekend with a closer look at the Driving Tour, Motorcars & Music, special collections and the two main show days.
More Than Just a Car: Inside Mike and Debbie Rogers’ Collection
Meet this year’s Velocity Collectors and explore a fleet filled with rare Shelby models and automotive stories.
