Duesenberg wins best in show

Long before muscle and ultraluxury cars, there was the Duesenberg.

With its aircraft-inspired Lycoming straight-8, 420-cubic-inch engine that produced approximately 265 horsepower for a top speed of nearly 120 mph, as well as its opulent and refined styling, many believe the 1930 Duesenberg (Model J) Coupe was way ahead of its time.

Earlier this month, those attending the third annual Exotic & Antique Car Show, sponsored by Northern Trust and hosted by the Ferrari Club of Las Vegas (www.ferraricluboflasvegas.com) to benefit Opportunity Village, couldn't have agreed more when the best in show award was given to the father- and son-owned Duesenberg of Richie and Chris Clyne.

Even though Chris Clyne drove the Duesenberg to the event, he acknowledges it's his dad, Richie, who is known as "Mr. Duesenberg," for his knowledge and passion for the make.

"At one time, I think he had about 60," Chris said. This particular Duesenberg, however, is from the Clynes' personal collection and is the only coupe left in the world. "This car actually ran test laps around Indy in 1929," Chris said.

That makes sense as the cars were built near Indianapolis by the Duesenberg Motors Co., which was acquired by E.L. Cord in 1925. Cord revived the brand with the vision to create the finest automobile in the world.

"It's certainly one-of-a-kind and that makes it very special," said Nevada Trust President Reed Radosevich, who oversaw the judging that also included categories for best exotic, best classic and best antique. "This Duesenberg is a rare, impressive automobile and that's why it won best in show."

The car show was held in conjunction with a luncheon, held at Opportunity Village's new 11-acre, $44 million Engelstad Campus and Thomas & Mack Employment Center at 6050 S. Buffalo Drive.

Show participants and attendees were treated to a catered lunch in the impressive reception hall of the arts building and were also encouraged to tour the beautiful facility, thanks to R.C. Wonderly, manager of Opportunity Village's art enhancement program. Original artwork, created by Opportunity Village artists, was on display and included wall paintings, tile art and abstracts painted on silk as well as additional pieces made through other mediums like embroidery. All of the artwork is for sale, according to Wonderly, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to the artist and the rest earmarked to support the center's art programs.

Opportunity Village's executive director, Ed Guthrie, remembers the first car show when Buffalo Drive was still dirt.

"Boy, that was an adventure," Guthrie said, referring to the facility's then-unpaved thoroughfare. "Reed persevered, however, and it's grown into not only an art exhibit, but a car show and an opportunity for us to conduct tours and show guests what we do here."

With Radosevich's vision, North Trust expanded its car show endeavors to partner with a charity and chose Opportunity Village.

"This is all part of our commitment to the community and to bring awareness to local causes," said Radosevich, who owns a couple of exotics of his own.

Included among the more than 100 vehicles on display were early and current models from Ferrari, Lamborghini, General Motors Corp., Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Dodge, to name a few. Judging from the caliber of cars, deciding who would earn trophies wasn't going to be easy. Once the ballots were tabulated, Radosevich assembled everyone outside to announce door prizes and the coveted car show awards.

"This is such a treat gathering together real car collectors in a beautiful setting and then have it also benefit a charity," Radosevich said, thanking all those who participated and attended the event. With that, he announced the winner of best exotic, which went to Paul and Shawna Hesselgesser's 1957 Ferrari Superamerica.

Hesselgesser said his Ferrari is a one-off model, commissioned by an Italian industrialist. Personalized with aluminum tailfins and a 410 cubic inch, V-12 engine, Hesselgesser's Ferrari certainly garnered a lot of attention.

Best classic honors went to Ted Schlazer's 1968 Dodge Charger R/T. Restored after a nearly two-year-long, ground-up rebuild, Schlazer's black Charger apparently made its first debut in the remake of the television movie "Vanishing Point."

Al Hummel added the winning "best antique" 1930 Ford Phaeton to his collection a couple of years ago because it was so rare. Hummel said the body is original and it's currently powered by a 5-liter Ford engine. And, because the Phaeton was built with no windows, Hummel says, "It's air conditioned all the time."

From its facility-based programs and outside community services, Opportunity Village served more than 1,400 people with disabilities last year, according to Guthrie. There are three campuses in the Las Vegas area including those in Henderson, on Oakey Boulevard in West Las Vegas and the South Buffalo Drive location.

For more information about Opportunity Village, please call 259-3741 or go to www.opportunityvillage.org.

Northern Trust is a leading provider of investment management and asset and fund administration, banking solutions and fiduciary services for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide.

Northern Trust has offices in 18 U.S. states, including one in Summerlin on Village Center Circle. For more information, go to www.northerntrust.com or call 304-6800.