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Luis Da Silva Jr., of "Fast Five" and "Fast X" Fame, Named Grand Marshal of Sixth Annual Philadelphia Concours d'Elegance Porsche Fan and Porsche Club Member Da Silva Has Close Connection to Event Beneficiary, Cool Cars for Kids and CHOP
PHILADELPHIA (June 19, 2023) – Actor Luis Da Silva Jr., best known for his memorable roles in the blockbuster films, "Fast Five" and "Fast X," will be the Grand Marshal of the Sixth Annual Philadelphia Concours D'Elegance on June 23-24, at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia.
Born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Da Silva is a Porsche fan and an honorary member of the Schattenbaum region of the Porsche Club of America celebrating its 50th anniversary. He drives a bright, lizard green Porsche 911 GT3 (997) street racer in "Fast X," the most recent film in the "Fast and Furious" franchise, now playing in theaters and streaming on Amazon Prime. In movies over the years, he has driven several models of the marque that is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year at the Concours dubbed "Porsche-delphia.”
Da Silva has a special place in his heart for his first Porsche, a 986 Boxster he customized with vertical scissor doors. It was the first of its kind in 2001 in the custom-car world.
(Image courtesy of Luis Da Silva Jr. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.) The event beneficiary is Cool Car for Kids, a nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia that delivers care and support to children and families who struggle with the medical complexities associated with rare diagnoses. CCfK supports local and national charities, including The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Da Silva has a close connection with CHOP, where his 8-year-old daughter receives regular treatment. "The Children's Hospital team has been an absolute blessing for our family," said Da Silva. "The exceptional care and expertise provided by their dedicated team ensured that our child received the best possible treatment, giving us hope and peace of mind during a challenging time." "We are thrilled and honored to have Luis Da Silva Jr. as our Grand Marshal of the Philadelphia Concours," said Ian Krantz, M.D., pediatrician and geneticist on the faculty of CHOP and the Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania, and CCfK founder. "His connection not only with our featured marque, but with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, who will benefit from the proceeds of this event, is something we greatly appreciate and it warms our hearts."
A preview gala at the Museum will be held on Friday, June 23, from 6-10 p.m., featuring Grand Marshal Luis Da Silva Jr., Honorary Chairman Coach Dick Vermeil, silent and live auctions, and interviews with guests speaking on the subject of rare diagnoses. Tickets to the gala may be purchased at https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/event-details/preview-gala-dinner. The Concours will honor Porsche's Diamond Jubilee with an array of significant newer and collector cars, including historic and vintage Porsches in the Concours, on the pre-event rally and in the Car Club gatherings. Iconic racing and "corporate" personalities from Porsche's dynamic past will speak during the panel discussion at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, inside the Museum. The full press release on the Porsche panel discussion may be found at https://conta.cc/3OiOa3P. Youth judging will also take place, along with an appearance from the Phillie Phanatic from 12:00-1 p.m. on Saturday. Concours tickets may be purchased at https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/event-details/2023-philadelphia-concours. The Porsche Club of America–Riesentöter Region's Gimmick Rally on Saturday, June 24, is open to all cars. It begins at Penn State Malvern at 9 a.m. and ends at noon at the Philadelphia Concours. Applications to enter are available at https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/event-details/rally-to-sixth-annual-philadelphia-concours-delegance.
Featured at the Concours will be the 1970 Porsche 917 that is on display at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. The “Hippie” Porsche is, arguably, the most well known of all of the 917s built. It’s not remembered for its racing record – it never won a race. It is remembered for its distinctive “psychedelic” green, blue and white paint scheme, one of the very first racing sports cars to have more than a single color. Nicknamed the “Hippie” 917, it competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1970 where it set the lap record and came in second. The next year, repainted in the Gulf team blue and orange, it sat on the pole before retiring after 12 hours. It still holds the quickest lap time for the original Le Mans course, a record that will never be broken since the circuit was changed the next year.
(Michael Furman image) Alongside the "Hippie" Porsche will be the RC Cola Porsche 962 from the 1980s, which was driven by Rob Dyson, Drake Olson, Price Cobb and James Weaver. For more information, visit www.philadelphiaconcours.com, or call 267-982-CCfK (2235)
AT A GLANCE: WHAT: Sixth Annual Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance WHEN: "Porsche-delphia" Preview Gala: Friday, June 23 – 6-10 p.m. Concours: Saturday, June 24 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Phillie Phanatic appearance, Saturday, June 24 - 12-1 p.m. Porsche Panel Discussion: Saturday, June 24 – 1-2:30 p.m. WHO: Families, classic car enthusiasts, collectors, racers, one and all WHERE: Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum 6825 Norwitch Dr. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MORE: Concours tickets may be purchased at https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/event-details/2023-philadelphia-concours. Applications for media credentials may be found at: https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/media-credentials-form. Sponsorship forms are available at: https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/sponsor-forms. Applications to enter Saturday's rally may be found at: https://www.philadelphiaconcours.com/event-details/rally-to-sixth-annual-philadelphia-concours-delegance
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