Founder of the Northville Concours D’Elegance, David Kibbey, was named Young Achiever of the Year for 2024 by the International Historic Motoring Awards at its annual program in London, England.
Kibbey of Northville, was notified of the award by phone and email from judges in London. He was unable to attend the Nov. 24 event due to his class schedule at Hillsdale College, where he is in his first year. Kibbey was among six finalists for the Young Achievers of the Year and was ultimately chosen as the winner by a panel of judges.
The program honors persons younger than 30 years old who have “demonstrated outstanding work in the collector car world over the last year.” The program was sponsored by the famed Petersen Automotive Museum of Los Angeles.
“I am greatly honored and humbled by this international award,” says Kibbey. “I am so very grateful to my family and automotive leaders in so many fields who have encouraged my passion for cars, particularly collector cars.”
For three years Kibbey has served as chairman of the Northville Concours D’Elegance he started in 2021 with an all-volunteer youth group. Kibbey, age 18, also has served as an official judge at the national Concours shows at Amelia Island, Fla. and Pebble Beach, Calif. He has stated that a major mission of the Northville Concours is to engage youth in an appreciation of the U.S. automotive heritage.
Kibey’s first foray into the automotive world occurred when Hagerty Insurance invited him to be part of its youth judging program at the age of nine. He also hosts a radio program called Auto Talk Radio.
Kibbey says the Northville Concours is seeking some 25 new judges to join the 20 “veteran” youth judges who will return to the fourth annual program in July of 2025.
“The main requirement is someone who has an interest or passion for cars,” says Kibbey. “We will train them and have a program and checklists for the judges to follow. We have a formal judging process and are looking for young people who love cars to join our group.”
The fourth annual Northville Concours D’Elegance will display nearly 100 vehicles and honor a special car collector as “Collector of the Year” for the 2025 event. The 2024 honorees were Ken and Kristin Lingenfelter. The Lingenfelter Collection is regarded as one of the largest in the United States with more than 200 vehicles. The program is entirely organized by teenage automotive enthusiasts. Tickets available at NorthvilleConcours.com.
