A Judge’s View from Pinehurst: Sandhills Motoring Expo 2026 by Mike Thies

The 2026 Sandhills Motoring Expo Concours in the Village was one of those days that reminds you why we do this. Held Sunday, May 24, in the historic Village of Pinehurst, the event brought together more than 130 judged automobiles representing over 40 manufacturers, and from this judge’s point of view, it was a first-class field, a well-run operation, and a genuinely enjoyable day with owners who were proud to share their cars.

Major kudos need to go to the Head Judge, Brandon Shriver. Judging a concours of this size is never as simple as it looks from the outside. There are teams to assign, classes to balance, cars to evaluate fairly, timing to manage, owners to respect, and decisions that need to be made with both confidence and humility. Brandon did an excellent job. The judging teams were well coordinated, the process moved smoothly, and the atmosphere stayed professional without losing the fun of the day. That balance is not easy, and it showed real leadership.

The morning started with some concern about rain, which is always on everyone’s mind when you are dealing with valuable cars, open cars, fresh restorations, and irreplaceable originals. Fortunately, the threat moved out early and Pinehurst gave us a beautiful day. Once the weather cleared, the Village setting did what it always does so well: it gave the cars the kind of backdrop they deserve. Great cars need room, light, and atmosphere, and this event had all three.

The two highest honors went to very different but equally remarkable automobiles. Best in Show-Sporting was awarded to the 1966 Shelby 427 Narrow Hip Cobra, CSX-3131, owmed by Michael Rogers. Any real 427 Cobra is a serious car, but this one stands in very special company. It is one of only 32 Narrow Hip 427 Cobras produced in 1966 and one of just 10 known examples still retaining its original body configuration with original engine and drivetrain. That kind of authenticity matters. This is not just a powerful Shelby; it is a highly correct, historically important example of one of the most respected American performance cars ever built. Its recent recognition at major events, including Pebble Beach in 2025 and Best in Class at Hilton Head, only reinforces the level of car Sandhills had on the field.

Best in Show-Touring went to the 1931 Cadillac 370A V12 Roadster, owned by Stpehen Witort. I was fortunate to be on the judging team assigned to that remarkable car. Stpehn impressed me with his humble remark that he was more a cartetaker than an owner. It was a treat. Finished in striking Black and Nut Yellow, the Cadillac had the presence, proportions, detail, and dignity expected from one of America’s great Classic Era automobiles. The V12 Cadillac roadster was already rare when new, with only 91 roadsters produced in 1931, and it represents the final year Cadillac offered a production fully open car. This example also carried the kind of equipment that makes serious judges slow down and look carefully: Pilot Ray driving lights, wind wings, factory spotlight, and the rare Cadillac low-boy trunk. It is the kind of car that rewards inspection because the more you study it, the more you appreciate how much is there.

The Cadillac also carried historical weight beyond its beauty. The 370A V12 roadster was famously associated with the Indianapolis 500 pace car, and this particular car had already earned major recognition, including Best in Class at the Indianapolis 500 Centennial Celebration in 2011. That is the kind of provenance and prior recognition that matters, but on the field it still has to stand on its own. This car did. It had the look, the rarity, the equipment, the history, and the overall presence of a proper Best in Show Touring winner.

From a judging standpoint, the best part of the day was not just seeing the cars, but meeting the owners and spending time with them. A good concours judge is not there to intimidate an owner or play “gotcha.” We are there to evaluate the car carefully, fairly, and respectfully. Owners put years, sometimes decades, into these automobiles. Some cars represent family history. Some represent restoration work that would be almost impossible to duplicate today. Some are preserved survivors that have earned every mark and every mile. A good judging team recognizes all of that while still applying standards.

That is where an event like Sandhills earns its reputation. The field had range, quality, and personality. It was not just a display of expensive cars. It was a collection of stories: sporting cars, touring cars, preservation, craftsmanship, design, performance, and history. That is what separates a true concours from a parking lot full of nice vehicles. A concours field should teach you something as you walk it. This one did.

C.D. Smith and the Sandhills team deserve credit for building an event that honors the owners, welcomes the public, and gives judges the structure needed to do the job properly. Volunteers, sponsors, staff, owners, and spectators all play a role in making a day like this work. When everything runs smoothly, it can look effortless. It is not. It takes planning, communication, and people who care enough to get the details right.

For me, the day was a reminder of why concours judging still matters. It is about preservation, authenticity, craftsmanship, history, and respect for the people who keep these cars alive. It is also about fellowship. You meet owners, talk with other judges, learn from specialists, and spend the day around machines that deserve to be studied, not just admired from a distance.

The 2026 Sandhills Motoring Expo Concours in the Village was a great day for the hobby. The rain stayed away, the cars were outstanding, the judging was well managed, and Pinehurst once again proved to be a beautiful setting for serious automobiles. Congratulations to the owners of the Shelby Cobra and the Cadillac V12 Roadster, to Brandon Shriver for a very successful year as Head Judge, all the entries, and to everyone who helped make the event one worth remembering.