Viper’s Roy Sjoberg to Join
“Celebration of the Snakes” at the
Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance
June 24-25
Fifth annual Concours to benefit Cool Cars for Kids
Ford Shelby Cobra and Dodge Viper highlighted at
Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum event
Funds raised will support The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and research to deliver care and support to children and families who struggle with medical complexities associated with rare genetic diagnoses
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PHILADELPHIA (May 3, 2022) – Roy Sjoberg, known as “Father Viper,” will join Carroll Shelby’s early “employees” Peter Brock and Chuck Cantwell, as the Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance holds a “Celebration of the Snakes” at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum July 24-25, 2022.
The theme for the fifth annual Concours in the City of Brotherly Love will recognize the significance and history of the iconic Shelby Cobra and Dodge Viper in the world of collector cars, and will benefit Cool Cars for Kids.
Sjoberg, Brock, Cantwell and former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil, will participate in a panel discussion during Saturday’s Concours, and will be recognized at the event gala on Friday. Both events take place at the Simeone Museum. Tickets to both may be purchased at GALA and CONCOURS.
Roy H. Sjoberg. (Roy H. Sjoberg Collection Image)
After 25 years with General Motors, Sjoberg joined Chrysler in 1985, becoming the first Chief Engineer of Viper, as selected in 1989 by then Chrysler Corp. chairman and CEO Lee Iacocca and Chrysler’s President Bob Lutz. He quickly assembled a team of 85 people that would take Viper from concept to production in less than 36 months.
Sjoberg also oversaw the development of the 1996 Viper GTS, an instant success, and in 1995 created the multiple-race-winning GTS-R race team before his retirement in 1997.
He was honored by the Viper Owners Association in 2021 as a founding member of the Spirit of Viper – a program started to recognize those with significant contributions in the development of Viper and successive generations through 2017 with Legend or Hall of Fame status.
“It will be nice to return to Philly,” said Sjoberg, who lived in Media, Pennsylvania, in the 1940s. “After World War II my brother raced down the Baltimore Pike in a 1935 Ford with the local gendarmes’ oversight. Dirt tracks were the weekend outings. Today it’s important that kids of this century enjoy the wind in their hair and the joy of personalizing your ride. That’s What the Cobra and Viper are all about.”
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The 1992 Dodge Viper. (Stellantis image)
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The nonprofit Cool Cars for Kids, Inc. (CCfK) will stage a classic car “competition of elegance” on Saturday, June 25, at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, which in 2019 was voted the “No. 1 Car Collection in the World” by The Classic Car Trust.
The Concours will be preceded on Friday, June 24, by a Preview Gala featuring legendary Super Bowl-winning Coach Dick Vermeil, who will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame this August, and Peter Brock, who was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America this past March. Cantwell and Sjoberg will also be recognized.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating two of America’s most iconic sports cars, the Cobra and the Viper, at this year’s Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance,” said Michael Tillson III, president and director of Cool Cars for Kids, and one of the country’s most highly regarded authorities on classic and sports automobiles. “Attendees of the Concours will not only have a chance to get an up-close look of many historic and legendary examples of Cobras and Vipers, but also see other classic cars from the Simeone Collection.
"They will also be treated to a no-holds-barred discussion about the Shelby and Viper years with Peter Brock, Chuck Cantwell and Roy Sjoberg." The earlier press release announcing Brock and Cantwell may be found at https://conta.cc/3vDxOaY.
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Peter Brock. (Peter Brock Collection image)
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Chuck Cantwell. (Chuck Cantwell Collection image)
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The Concours will showcase an invitation-only assembly of Cobras and Vipers and other American and European classic and historic automobiles and race cars. The fundraising event includes professional judging and awards presented for historical accuracy, technical merit, and style. The popular Hagerty Youth Judging program will also be implemented. This year’s classes are: Pre-War, Post-War, Open, Closed, Sports, Muscle and Kids Choice.
Also included will be family-friendly activities: a Car Corral open for local car enthusiasts to exhibit their classic cars; food and specialty vendors; and access to the Simeone Museum.
A special car tour for Cobra and Viper owners on Saturday morning to the Simeone Museum is also planned.
Premier Concours Entries:
Car Corral Registration:
Tickets:
Media Credentials:
AT A GLANCE:
WHAT:
Fifth Annual Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance
WHEN:
Gala: Friday, June 24, 2002 - 6-10 p.m.
Concours: Saturday, June 25, 2022 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHO:
Families, classic car enthusiasts, collectors, racers, one and all
WHERE:
Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
6825 Norwitch Dr.
Philadelphia, PA
About Cool Cars for Kids:
Cool Cars for Kids, Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia, Pa. that brings together families of children with genetic conditions and classic car enthusiasts who share a common passion and appreciation for the one-of-a-kind. Funds raised from this unique partnership will directly forward its mission by supporting local and national charities – including The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia – to deliver care and support to children and families who struggle with the medical complexities associated with rare diagnoses. www.coolcarsforkids.org.
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