1932 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton by LaGrande wins Best in Show at 2026 Greenbrier Concours d'Elegance

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — (May 4, 2026):  A 1932 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton by LaGrande -- owned by Sonya and Bill Miller of Frankfort, Indiana -- captured the Best in Show Award Sunday at The 2026 Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance. The car, which was part of a Classic Era Class, was chosen from a field of 80 vehicles competing in 10 different classes, including a featured Chrysler Class.

The Duesenberg LaGrande dual-cowl phaeton was designed by Gordon Buehrig, the chief designer for the Cord Corporation (parent company of Duesenberg). Although designed in-house, the bodies were physically constructed by the Union City Body Company (in Union City, Indiana) under the “LaGrande” label. 

This winning 1932 Duesenberg was purchased in 1953 by the current owners’ grandparents — Bill & Katherine Goodwin of Frankfort, Indiana. The car was formerly owned by L. B. Manning, a key executive in E.L. Cord’s business empire. Manning served as a top official and confidant in the Cord Corporation, which controlled the Auburn Automobile Company, Duesenberg, and Cord brands during the late 1920s and 1930s. This was the only Duesenberg made with a wooden trunk. The car has carried the two-tone green colors for more than 70 years.

Though the Duesenberg stood out to all who attended Sunday, it was not alone in an incredible field of vehicles from all styles and eras.

“We had some amazing cars and motorcycles in all of our classes,” said Phil Neff, Chief Judge, The Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance. “Our judges are very skilled and professional at what they do, but their job definitely wasn’t easy this year.”

Awards were handed out to the top three cars in each class. Best In Class winners included.

Motorcycles: 1935 Norton International 40 (Mustafa Tehrani; Woodstock, Virginia)
Malaise Era Cars: 1980 Dodge Mirada Coupe (David Powers: Rural Valley, Pennsylvania)
Post-War European Late: 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB (Glen Butler; Waxhaw, North Carolina)
Post-War European Early: 1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series II Coupe (Thomas Zarrella; Gloucester, Massachusetts)
Open Two-Seater Class: 1972 Ferrari 246 GTO "Dino" (Andrew Panto; Waxhaw, North Carolina)
Muscle Cars: 1970 Pontiac GTO "Judge" Convertible (Debra Powell; Denver, North Carolina)
American Post-War: 1956 Mercury Montclair Coupe (Kenny King; Clinton, Tennessee)
Cars of the Classic Era: 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe by Figoni & Falaschi (Doug Cadman; Courtland, Ontario)
Veteran Cars: 1910 Rambler Model 54 Tonneau (Stu Laidlaw; Bolivia, North Carolina)
Chrysler Cars: 1931 Chrysler Imperial CG Closed Coupled Sedan (Phillip Mazor; Grand Haven,Michigan)

In addition to the class awards, 12 special awards were presented at the trophy ceremony, and the winners received hand-crafted trophies made by the carpenters at The Greenbrier. The awards featured the iconic Springhouse, which has been a symbol of America’s Resort for centuries. The winners included:

Most Historically Significant Road Car: 1966 Austin Mini Cooper S (Roger Williams; Collegeville, Pennsylvania)
Most Historically Significant Race or Sports Car: 1954 Lotus IV (Scott Hitchcock: Ligonier, Pennsylvania)
AACA Spirit of the Hobby Award: 1971 Land Rover Series 2A (Sarah Crabtree; Dover, Pennsylvania)
People’s Choice Award: 1956 Lincoln Premiere Coupe (Dennis Kiefer; Memphis, Tennessee)
Duke of Windsor Award (Most Elegant Closed Car): 1954 Bristol 403 Sports Saloon (Ben Wilson; Beaver, Pennsylvania)
Princess Grace Award (Most Elegant Open Car): 1934 Packard Eight 1101 Convertible Victoria (John Gendleman; Flemington, New Jersey)
Chief Judge’s Award (Presented by Phil Neff): 1958 Edsel Bermuda Wagon (Paul Bergad; Freeport, Pennsylvania)
Sam Snead Award (Best Country Club Car): 1983 Buick Riviera Coupe (Shawn Marchewka; Charleroi, Pennsylvania)
Eisenhower Award (Best Cold War Era Car): 1956 Imperial Crown 8 Passenger Formal Sedan (Randy Still; Kingsport, Tennessee)
Dorothy Draper Award (Most Stylish Interior): 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack Coupe (David Porter; Darien, Connecticut)
Bill Davis Award (Best West Virginia Car): 1969 Ford Mustang Mach I Fastback (Paul McBride; Flat Top, West Virginia)
Artist’s Award: 1962 Ford Thunderbird Sport Roadster (Fred Caldwell; Cramerton, North Carolina)

Sunday’s Concours was the culmination of a weekend filled with events for car owners and enthusiasts from across the country.

On Friday, The Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance, presented by Ferrari of Washington, hit the road with The Summit Drive, which took car enthusiasts to the Summit Lodge at The Greenbrier Sporting Club for breakfast. Following the mouthwatering meal, the cars of all eras and varieties embarked on a drive through the mountain roads of West Virginia, culminating at Pipestem Resort State Park, where they took in the incredible views, rode the tram to the bottom of the mountain and enjoyed a picnic lunch.

That evening’s Welcome Reception, sponsored by Bentley Washington, D.C., and held inside The Greenbrier's iconic Cameo Ballroom gave sponsors, owners, judges and concours organizers a chance to come together and learn more about each other and the weekend. Entertainment was provided by The Greenbrier Springhouse Entertainers, courtesy of Berglund Automotive. 

Saturday began with Cars & Cocktails, presented by Ole Smoky Distillery, which featured cars of all ages and types displayed in front of the iconic golf clubhouse at The Greenbrier and around the Springhouse. Spectators enjoyed the show, as well as the ride-and-drive events presented by Ferrari of Washington and Bentley Washington D.C.. A large gathering from Malaise Motors and the Ferrari Club of America Mid Atlantic Region helped add to the festive feel and the excitement of the participants

Saturday afternoon included an automotive seminar, and the evening concluded with a Kentucky Derby Party/Charitable Dinner, which raised funds to support three charitable partners — West Virginia Autism Training Center, AACA Library and Research Center and First Responders Children’s Foundation. 

All those events served as preludes to the anticipated Sunday Concours, as the finest collector cars in the world were judged by Neff and his qualified team of concours judges.

“From the drive on Friday to the final award presented on Sunday, the weekend was nothing short of incredible,” said Cam Huffman, a member of The Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance Steering Committee. “This was our ninth year of the event, and it is difficult to argue that it wasn’t the best one yet.”

Plans have begun for next year’s event, which will be held April 30 through May 2, 2027, with a featured "Orphan Cars" class. To learn more, visit GreenbrierConcours.com.