HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance expands this year with the inaugural Flights & Fancy Aeroport Gala, to be held at the Hilton Head Island Airport Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
Both events will showcase a collection of vintage and historical aircraft alongside the newest airplanes from sponsors such as Cirrus. Automotive manufacturers with an aviation heritage, including BMW and Volvo, will also be on display.
BMW is celebrating three milestones, including its 100th anniversary of BMW worldwide in 2016, the 40th anniversary of BMW in North America, and the 20th anniversary of BMW Manufacturing in South Carolina. A special exhibit will honor one significant vehicle from each decade, including a 1930s-era BMW 328 Roadster, an original E30 M3 with its iconic wings and flares, a 850csi (one of only 200 imported to the U.S.), and the new 2016 7 Series debuting this coming October at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
Aircraft on display include:
- 1928 Ford Motor Company Tri-Motor 5-AT-B from EAA first flown on Dec. 1, 1928, and used for Grand Canyon tours from February to December of 1937.
- 1936 Waco YKS-6 from James Wilson of Cross, South Carolina, one of only 65 made of this particular model.
- 1938 Lockheed 12 A Electra from David Marco of Jacksonville, Florida, was one of only 125 built as Lockheed stopped production to build aircraft for World War II.
- 1943 Boeing PT-13D from Scott Martin of Hilton Head Island, primarily used as a trainer for World War II Air Corps and Navy pilots.
- 1946 Globe Swift GC-1B from Steven Roth of Madison, Virginia, perhaps one of the most modified production aircraft and often described as “snowflakes,” as no two are alike.
Each vintage airplane will be paired with a car from the same era.
“Wings and wheels enthusiasts have always shared a passion for innovative design, technology and performance,” said Carolyn Vanagel, president of the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival. “That’s why we’re pleased to add this newest event for our expected 20,000 visitors.”