Friday, July 10, 2026
Learn from renowned automotive historians on a variety of topics in the automotive world. The livestream of the event will be carried via Grand Touring Motorsports’ twitch feed at www.twitch.tv/grantouringmotorsports.
To attend in person, you can purchase your two-day Concours Weekend Pass or purchase Museum Campus Admission at the door.
Schedule
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. What Mascots Taught Me about Museums
Presented by: Lauren Goodman
Associate Curator of Exhibitions at the Revs Institute Lauren Goodman will discuss some of her findings from her recent work on “Rolling 20s, Roaring Art: French Automotive Mascots,” an award-winning exhibition at Revs Institute. In the process of compiling her research into a literature review, she found that these small objects embody some of the big conundrums facing automobile heritage today. Could these little sculptures point us in the right direction? She hopes her short talk will spark a lively discussion during the Q&A.
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Chrysler's (and Studebaker's) Three Musketeers
Presented by: Bob Casey
Dive into the careers of Fred Zeder, Owen Skelton, and Carl Breer, three engineers who were key figures in Chrysler Corporation's rise to success, but got their start together at Studebaker.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. What’s So Special About the Bianco Speciale
Presented by: Eric Monterastelli, William Ross, and Jon Summers
What’s So Special About the Bianco Speciale brings together insights from across multiple automotive history and marketplace podcasts to tell the full, multidimensional story of one of the most fascinating Ferraris ever built: the lone factory‑white 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, chassis 3729GT.
Drawing on conversations with auction specialists, historians, and legendary racers, this presentation traces the car’s journey from its origins in the hands of influential British dealer‑tuner John Coombs to its modern status as one of the most coveted automobiles in the world. The narrative explores why Coombs specified the car in right‑hand drive, the racing modifications he commissioned, and how the GTO became intertwined with the culture of 1960s British motorsport. Figures such as Graham Hill, Roy Salvadori, Mike Hawthorn, Jack Sears, and others appear throughout the story, illustrating the era’s competitive landscape and the personalities who shaped it.
The presentation also incorporates firsthand reflections from David Hobbs, whose early racing career intersected with the same club‑racing world that produced the Bianco Speciale. His anecdotes illuminate the transition from amateur to professional racing and the evolution of race‑car engineering—context that deepens the significance of this particular GTO’s development and use.
From a modern perspective, the talk examines the car’s meticulously documented provenance, its rarity as one of only eight right‑hand‑drive GTOs, and its singular status as the only example finished in white. Market analysts and auction experts—including voices from Mecum Auctions, Motorcopia, and the Prancing Horse of Nashville—provide insight into the car’s escalating valuation, the mindset of today’s high‑net‑worth collectors, and the logistical and historical weight of presenting such a machine at a major auction. Estimates have placed its potential sale price well into record‑setting territory, underscoring its cultural and economic importance.
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Break for Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. mother roads: The Lincoln Highway, Route 66, and the Interstate Highway system
Presented by: Matt Anderson, Jeff Blair, and John Weiss. Moderated by Bob Casey
Explore the impact of the development of the roads system in the US through this panel discussion. Three experts on the Lincoln Highway, Route 66 and the Interstate Highway System will share their unique perspectives on each of these significant road systems and their impact on transportation history in the United States.
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Talk Title Coming Soon
Presented by: Ruben verdes
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Afternoon Break
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. The Invention of the Hydra-matic, World's First Automatic Transmission
Presented by: Bob Elton
3:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. A Slow Drive Across A Fast Country
Presented by: Tom Cotter
4:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Closing Remarks
Saturday, July 10, 2026
As part of the Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm, Automotive History Live! will present three lectures during the Concours d’Elegance at Copshaholm.
10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. She Drives a Duesey
Presented by: Madison auten
In the early 20th century, the automobile offered women independence and new opportunities. As more women took the wheel, automakers like the Auburn Automobile Company recognized their influence on style, design, and luxury. Women were not just passengers, they influenced financial decisions and became major consumers, leading the company to hire them across departments, particularly in marketing and upholstery. Celebrity women associated with Auburns, Cords, and Duesenbergs helped solidify both their own fame and the prestige of these automobiles.
Join us for a brief look at how women and Auburns, Cords, and Duesenbergs are intertwined throughout history.
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Celebrating Pontiac's 100th Anniversary
Presented by: Tim dye
This lecture explores the events at General Motors leading up to the introduction of the Pontiac in 1926. It examines lesser-known highlights from the company’s history, its significant impact on the automotive industry, and the broader legacy of the Pontiac brand. The presentation also features several compelling modern-era stories, including the fascinating account of how the speaker tracked down the very last Pontiac ever produced.
12:30 - 1:15 A Barn Find Life
Presented by: Tom Cotter
Explore the human interest stories contained in neglected and forgotten cars.
About the Motoring Podcast Network
The Motoring Podcast Network (MPN) is part of the many offerings and services provided by Gran Touring Motorsports (GTM). Years of racing, wrenching and motorsports experience brings together a top-notch collection of knowledge, stories and information, From the pages of our digital magazine "Gran Touring" to our over 600 podcasts episodes, We bring your stories from all over the autosphere... From wrench turners to artists, authors, racers, designers and everyone in between! Learn more at www.motoringpodcast.net.
