Where age is no limit, an immaculate 1932 Rohr Streamliner wins at Cobble Beach

The three major winners: 1932 Rohr 8 Type F Streamliner (show winner) at left; 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Sport Cabriolet owned by Lee Anderson of Nisswa, Minn., at right; and 1949 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Superlegger owned by Frederick Fischer of Wildwood, Miss., at rear in centre.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks

There were 116 cars and one quadricycle parked on the links at Cobble Beach Golf Club last weekend for the annual Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

This was the 12th year for the show near Owen Sound, Ont. that has become Canada’s premier automotive concours. Its entrants were considered by judges from all 10 provinces and 14 American states.

Some of our favourite cars from the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance – and what their owners say

The coveted Best In Show award was presented to an immaculate 1932 Rohr 8 Type F Streamliner owned by Ted and Mary Stahl of Chesterfield, Mich. The unique car was built in Germany with a 3.3-litre eight-cylinder engine under its extended hood, designed by Ferdinand Porsche; it was first shown at the 1932 Paris Motor Show, then the Geneva Salon and then at the international auto show in Berlin the following year. It was brought to the United States after the war by an American military officer and eventually acquired by the Stahls in 2024, after extensive renovation.

The 1932 Rohr 8 Type F Streamliner which won best-in-show at the 2026 Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks

Vern Smith of Swift Current, N.L., with his class-winning 1958 Pontiac Bonneville and the award presenter, Lisa McLeese.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks

Owner Marc Chauvin of London, Ont. explains his 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air to Concours judges.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Mako Shark I, owned by GM.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks

The Stahl family owns 262 classic cars and more than 100 of them are displayed on rotation at their Motors and Music Experience museum near Detroit.

“Mr. Stahl has business operations around the world and he’s known for being a great caretaker for these automobiles, so it found its way to him,” said Al Rogers, publicist for the Stahl family who drove the car onto the victory stage. “We’re here for the Triple E’s – to entertain, engage and educate. This is their legacy. We can cross borders and people can be happy and support each other. This is very humbling.”

Not all the vehicles were vintage, but all were relatively rare, if not unique. General Motors brought along three historic Corvettes from its heritage collection and there were plenty of exotic sports cars and supercars. A privately owned 2026 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 APXGP even came with its own security guard to warn off sticky fingers from its matte black paint, but most owners were happy to let people get close to their cars.

A 2026 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 APXGP with its own private security guard.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks

2005 TVR Sagaris, owned by Mike Bozinoski of Burlington, Ont.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks

General view of the Concours and club houseMark Richardson/JOBFlocks

2025 Chevrolet Corvette CX Concept, owned by GMMark Richardson/JOBFlocks

Mercedes-AMG One, owned by Multimatic Corp.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks

“I enjoy allowing people to get in the car and have their picture taken,” said Stephen Burke, of Ypsilanti, Mich., standing beside his 1936 Packard Junior. “Then when they leave here, especially kids, they’ve got something to remember. It’s when you see the smiles on the people’s faces when they lean out the window to have their picture taken. It’s worth everything.”

The oldest vehicle at the show was the 1898 Beeston Quadricycle, owned by Michael Hoegl. He said he rides it once in a while around the local roads of his home north of Parry Sound, Ont. It’s so old he could not easily register its ownership with the Ministry of Transportation – the provincial computer system doesn’t recognize dates before 1900. Not to mention that it’s neither a motorcycle nor a car.

Michael Hoegl on his 1898 Beeston Quadricycle.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks

“I found out the system in Ontario runs on DOS,” he said. “So I have an ownership printed on a typewriter, giving me the correct information, and I have an ownership printed for 1900 that the computer recognizes. I had to involve my MPP – there was no other way.”

The Concours is an opportunity to recognize the development of today’s vehicles, said Rob McLeese, the event’s founder and chair, as well as just appreciate the design and engineering of some rare and exquisite examples of automotive history.

1960 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, owned by Steve Plunkett of London, Ont., with Concours Chair Rob McLeese standing in frontMark Richardson/JOBFlocks

1967 Mazda Cosmo, owned by Mazda CanadaMark Richardson/JOBFlocks

1931 Chrysler CG Imperial, owned by Gallery 260 in Toronto.Mark Richardson/JOBFlocks

“I think it’s important for us to retain our heritage,” said McLeese. “I think it’s important for us to look back, as well as looking forward, because the past often defines the future. And you look at how things have developed and it will help guide you. It doesn’t always happen exactly that way, but I think that is important.

“Also, another aspect that I didn’t realize when we started, is that we’re actually able to raise significant sums here through this, because of these vehicles, for charity.”

The Concours has raised more than $1.5-million for charitable causes over its dozen years, he said, with most of that donated to the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, and also to the Brightshores Health System that manages the Brightshores Owen Sound Hospital.