THE CONCOURS OF AMERICA AT ST. JOHN'S - THIS WEEKEND!
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One of the Best Classic and Collector Car Shows East of the Mississippi
By Steve Purdy
The Auto Channel
Michigan Bureau
The Inn at St. John’s just west of Detroit, once a Catholic seminary, faded from disuse in the 1980s and ‘90s. In the early aughts a private company came in, built a high-end hotel, convention center and added to the golf course surrounding the old facility allowing for its preservation. When the historic Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance (rated second or third most prestigious in the country) needed a new home the organizers changed the name to Concours d’Elegance of America and moved to St. Johns. It has proven to be a good move.
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The weekend of July 28/29/30 will see the 39th presentation of this amazing classic and collector car show where multiple events throughout the weekend draw automobile enthusiasts of all stripes to the Concours grounds where they can immerse themselves in multiple exhibits of cars, seminars on car collecting topics, social events, a driving tour and an exhibit of automobile fine art. On Sunday the main show will present around 300 special automobiles and a few motorcycles carefully arranged around the tree-lined fairways of the golf course where throngs of attendees will be able to see these wonderful cars and talk to owners.
A Concours d’Elegance, for those unfamiliar with the concept, is an invitational show organized into themes or classes of vehicles and judged by experts in design, history, restoration and aesthetics. After judging is complete a pass-in-review involves the best cars in each class driving in front of the crowd while a master of ceremonies talks about the significance of each while presenting trophies and awards. Even attendees who know a lot about cars will learn much from the review. Winning any award at the Concours is a thrill for car owners but Best of Show will be a thrill of a lifetime.
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The Motoring Tour starts out the weekend activities on Friday and will visit the eclectic, seldom-seen Larry Smith Collection as well as the new M1 Concours complex where garage condos surround a race track. Saturday starts with a Cars and Coffee event and a show called Concours d’Lemons featuring all those seldom-appreciated cars that drew disrespect but are loved by someone. A series of seminars – one on Barn Finds, another on the Five Generations of Vipers, an announcement of the next inductee in the Historic Vehicle Association’s National Historic Vehicle Registry and even a Culinary Competition – fill out the day on Saturday. Saturday evening, an Italian car show and social event will keep folks busy.
On Sunday the show field opens at 10 AM and visitors will see nearly twenty special classes of vehicles displayed. We don’t have space to list them all but a sampling includes: Shelby Cobras, History of Lincoln, CanAm Race Cars, Hi-Performance cars that can do 0-to-60 in less than 3 seconds, Drag Racers, Aston Martin DB2, European Postwar Cars, Military Motorcycles, Gas Light Cars, Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg, Graham, Rolls Royce Silver Ghosts (16 of them), and many of the classic classes we always love to see.
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As an added treat during the pass in review Margery Krevsky, owner of the largest talent agency providing models and product specialists to the auto industry, will narrate Mode du Concours, a fashion show featuring vintage clothing from her extensive collection worn by her models who ride in before the crowd in one of the classic cars in the show.
The Invitational Automobile Art Exhibition happens in the Conference Center on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, then moves to the show field in a big, white tent for Sunday. Along with some of the best-known artists in the world for whom the automobile is a central theme, this humble reporter was invited to show classic car photography shot over many years here as well. So, I’ll hope to see you all in the art tent.
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The Inn at St. John’s is at 5-Mile Road and Sheldon just north of Plymouth, Michigan off M-14. Parking is at a large high school nearby with shuttles running constantly. Just watch for the signs.
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Since the move to the new site the Concours folks have been able to attract dozens of vendors as well, so as you enter the show you’ll be able to shop everything from classic car insurance, to aftermarket goodies to art, books and music. So, Enjoy!
The Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s – see you there. www.concoursusa.org
© Steve Purdy, Shunpiker Productions, All Rights Reserved
2017 Events
FRIDAY, JULY 28
SATURDAY, JULY 29
SUNDAY, JULY 30
39th Annual Concours d’Elegance of America
10 am – 4:30 pm
