The Philadelphia Concours d'Elegance and Cool Cars for Kids
Dean was honored to be invited as a panelist during the 2024 Philadelphia Concours d'Elegance, which is the main fundraising event for the Cool Cars for Kids program.
He joined Chip Robinson, who raced Jaguars for Group 44 in the 1980s and Michael Dale, former president of Jaguar North America as writer/historian Harry Hurst, director of programs at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, moderated the discussion. Those who attended the panel discussion also enjoyed a video featuring Group 44's owner and driver, Bob Tullius, Tom Walkinshaw Racing's Tony Dowe, and Neil Smith, author of "ON THE PROWL: The Definitive History of the Walkinshaw Jaguar Sports Car Team."
Dean was thrilled to discuss the history of the Jaguar marque and share his personal stories of restoring, racing, and supporting Jaguars throughout his professional career.
As impressed as he was by fellow panelists and the concours itself, Dean returned to the shop with a new appreciation for the Cool Cars for Kids program, which promotes awareness and funds research for many different types of rare genetic diagnoses. This work is not unlike his own passion for supporting the Hometown Foundation, which seeks to help those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, as he organizes the Dream Show for the 12th year in a row.
By educating others on what makes Jaguar special and such a beloved car, highlighting how it is more than simply what Enzo Ferrari called "the most beautiful car," Dean was able to support the concours' mission to "bring together families of children with rare genetic diagnoses and classic car enthusiasts who share a common passion and appreciation for the one-of-a-kind."
The non-profit believes that it can take time, patience, dedication, and expert care to help a child with a rare disease to reach his or her full potential, same as with the rarest of E-Type. Despite decades of experience, Dean knows there is always more to learn and more to accomplish. He also knows that appreciation can be expressed at any stage along that journey. We all love to share what's special and those who can see a brighter future together can be friends, which is amazing.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to share what I know to an appreciative audience and to, in some small way, support such a great cause when it makes such a difference for kids."
If you missed the show or were there and want to remember it, check out this article in Classic Motorsports.
