July 28, 2013 - Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's
The 35th Annual Concours d'Elegance of America was held at St. John's in Plymouth Michigan on Sunday, July 28, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is an amazing automobile show that is nearly beyond comprehension with regard to the quality of vehicles that are shown; rare cars that display the highest qualities of design, craftsmanship and style. There were 374 automobiles displayed at this year’s event and the crowd was estimated at over 10,000. Rain slightly delayed this year’s show setup, but had the positive effect of cooling off the weather that has occasionally been scorching in years past. This year there was a cool breeze at the show, but the cars were still hot!
The Concours d’Elegance moved in 2011 from Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester to St. John’s in Plymouth. This resulted in over 200 acres for showcasing the “by invitation only” world class automobiles. Among the many categories of autos were “Jet-Aged Convertibles,” selected by Car Selection Committee members Greg Cockerill and Tony Hossain to illustrate the best examples of jet-aged convertibles from the 1950s and 1960s. Another category, a new class this year, was The Great Race. These cars were originally part of a rally that was over 4000 miles in length that incorporated scenic routes and towns across the country. Brembo SpA, the official Media Sponsor of this year’s event, also sponsored a “display of modern supercars, including an Aston Martin Vanquish, an Audi R8 Coupe, a Chrysler SRT Viper, four Ferraris, a Jaguar F-Type, three Lamborghinis, a Lotus Evora, a McLaren MP4-12C Coupe and two Porsches, most of them with Brembo brakes as original equipment.” There were also electric cars spanning 125 years on display. No two cars at this show were alike; each car has its own life and legend.
Additional show highlights included the RM Auction of 80 automobiles, Wayne Carini, who is widely known for his popular television program "Chasing Classic Cars," participating in the 2013 Concours d'Elegance of America as the Honorary Chief Judge, and Edward Hermann and Robert Joynt working together to pull off the formidable task of narrating the event and announcing the dozens of award winners. Among these winners were the 2013 Best of Show winners, a 1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster Derham owned by Joseph & Margie Cassini, III and the European Best of Show winner, a 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Boat Tail Speedster owned by Roger Willbanks. You should check out Detroit Metro Mashup’s video of this Alfa being started (link is above this review).
There was also the annual Invitational Art Exhibition, which for 35 years has featured the best among automotive artists. “The poster art for 2013 was created by François Bruère, a graduate of the National Conservatory of decorative arts and crafts in Paris and a member of "la maison des artistes," the most important association of visual artists in France.” The original was auctioned off at the BASF Saturday Night Charity Gala. The Concours has a strong charity component, it contributes a portion of its proceeds to Hospice of Michigan, Leader Dogs for the blind and College for Creative Studies.
A large number of events occur at, and in the environs of, the Concours d'Elegance of America. This years events included:
1. Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Celebration, Hosted by RM Auctions
2. RM Auction Preview
3. Motoring Tour-The Lingenfelter Collection
4. The VIP Tour -The Adderley Collection
5. Plymouth Friday Night Concert in the Park
6. RM Auction -- Cars and Cocktails
7. Concours Seminars
8. Mercedes-Benz Pagoda Seminar
9. College for Creative Studies Design Seminar
10. RM Vintage Motor Car Auction
11. City of Northville Concours Preview Party
12. Saturday Night Gala
13. 35th Annual Concours d’Elegance of America
Detroit Metro Mashup really enjoyed the 2013 Concours d’Elegance of America and we hope you enjoy our photo collection that commemorates and documents the beautiful automobiles at the event. The link to our photos is in the photo stack above, with the video to the right of the photo stack.
For more information about the Concours d’Elegance of America and its location, consult the following links:
http://concoursusa.org
https://www.facebook.com/downtownplymouthconcours
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Inn-at-St-Johns/76089042927
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concours_d%27Elegance
The Concours d’Elegance moved in 2011 from Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester to St. John’s in Plymouth. This resulted in over 200 acres for showcasing the “by invitation only” world class automobiles. Among the many categories of autos were “Jet-Aged Convertibles,” selected by Car Selection Committee members Greg Cockerill and Tony Hossain to illustrate the best examples of jet-aged convertibles from the 1950s and 1960s. Another category, a new class this year, was The Great Race. These cars were originally part of a rally that was over 4000 miles in length that incorporated scenic routes and towns across the country. Brembo SpA, the official Media Sponsor of this year’s event, also sponsored a “display of modern supercars, including an Aston Martin Vanquish, an Audi R8 Coupe, a Chrysler SRT Viper, four Ferraris, a Jaguar F-Type, three Lamborghinis, a Lotus Evora, a McLaren MP4-12C Coupe and two Porsches, most of them with Brembo brakes as original equipment.” There were also electric cars spanning 125 years on display. No two cars at this show were alike; each car has its own life and legend.
Additional show highlights included the RM Auction of 80 automobiles, Wayne Carini, who is widely known for his popular television program "Chasing Classic Cars," participating in the 2013 Concours d'Elegance of America as the Honorary Chief Judge, and Edward Hermann and Robert Joynt working together to pull off the formidable task of narrating the event and announcing the dozens of award winners. Among these winners were the 2013 Best of Show winners, a 1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster Derham owned by Joseph & Margie Cassini, III and the European Best of Show winner, a 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Boat Tail Speedster owned by Roger Willbanks. You should check out Detroit Metro Mashup’s video of this Alfa being started (link is above this review).
There was also the annual Invitational Art Exhibition, which for 35 years has featured the best among automotive artists. “The poster art for 2013 was created by François Bruère, a graduate of the National Conservatory of decorative arts and crafts in Paris and a member of "la maison des artistes," the most important association of visual artists in France.” The original was auctioned off at the BASF Saturday Night Charity Gala. The Concours has a strong charity component, it contributes a portion of its proceeds to Hospice of Michigan, Leader Dogs for the blind and College for Creative Studies.
A large number of events occur at, and in the environs of, the Concours d'Elegance of America. This years events included:
1. Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Celebration, Hosted by RM Auctions
2. RM Auction Preview
3. Motoring Tour-The Lingenfelter Collection
4. The VIP Tour -The Adderley Collection
5. Plymouth Friday Night Concert in the Park
6. RM Auction -- Cars and Cocktails
7. Concours Seminars
8. Mercedes-Benz Pagoda Seminar
9. College for Creative Studies Design Seminar
10. RM Vintage Motor Car Auction
11. City of Northville Concours Preview Party
12. Saturday Night Gala
13. 35th Annual Concours d’Elegance of America
Detroit Metro Mashup really enjoyed the 2013 Concours d’Elegance of America and we hope you enjoy our photo collection that commemorates and documents the beautiful automobiles at the event. The link to our photos is in the photo stack above, with the video to the right of the photo stack.
For more information about the Concours d’Elegance of America and its location, consult the following links:
http://concoursusa.org
https://www.facebook.com/downtownplymouthconcours
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Inn-at-St-Johns/76089042927
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concours_d%27Elegance
