Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's: New venue, same glittering show

Featuring a new name and a new venue, Detroit's famous concours returned on Sunday with the usual collection of glittering, chrome-laden classic and vintage automobiles.

The Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's--formerly known as Meadow Brook--showcased more than 300 cars ranging from the dawn of transportation to contemporary classics. Though the location changed, moving about 45 minutes west of its previous home north of Detroit, the collection of cars and impressive crowds returned.

This year, the event showcased a number of new and intriguing classes, including 100 years of Indy cars--highlighted by the Miller that triumphed in the 1923 race, plus 32 other racers--and 100 years of Chevrolet. The first 125 years of Mercedes-Benz was also a head-turner, with gullwings grabbing plenty of eyeballs. Plus, for the first time, the concours had winners of the famed Ridler Award from Detroit's hod-rod show, Autorama. An elaborate tribute to former General Motors design chief Chuck Jordan, who was honored just last year, greeted visitors. Jordan died in December.

The concours was held at Meadow Brook Hall, a historic venue in Rochester, Mich., for 32 years. Matilda Dodge Wilson, the widow of auto pioneer John Dodge, once lived there. The new venue, called the Inn at St. John's in Plymouth Township, Mich., is a former Catholic seminary that has been converted into a conference and events center. It's set on a golf course, and organizers say it offers more hotel rooms and meeting spaces.

Greg Migliore
This Miller HCS Special won the 1923 Indy 500 and took fifth in 1925. In its winning race, the car qualified with a speed of 108.170 mph, and led 128 laps to capture the victory.

Walking around the event on a sun-drenched day, the car displays were familiar to returning concours visitors. This usual crowd of Duesenbergs, including the personal car of Augie Duesenberg, was on display, complemented by rare and sought-after Model J versions. There also was an impressive display of Cadillacs and Lincolns, and each American brand had an elaborate setup on site. The Caddy “tent” had a hard floor, modern and vintage Cadillacs, and posters, signage and hood ornaments from days gone by.

European cars, including the usual crop of Jaguars--sharp E-types naturally--a Mercedes SL, MGs and Bugattis were on display, as well. There also were special classes that saluted the Gaslight Era cars and Jazz Age creations, segments that truly elevate concours events above standard car shows.

Of course, there were scores of muscle cars, led by Chevrolet Corvettes, Shelby Ford Mustangs and ripped Dodge Challengers. Chrome and fin from the Postwar Era were also popular, and everything from the famed Hudson Hornet to the a modern Viper filled out the rest of the field.

By Greg Migliore