 
For 30 years the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance has been a benchmark event in the Concours community. Founded by Don Sommer, the owner of American Arrow Corporation, a company that has provided radiator mascots, Pilot-Ray lights, and countless other classic era restoration pieces for decades, this Concours secured its place as one of the top events in the country in its first few years. For Meadow Brook’s 30th Anniversary more than 10,000 enthusiasts and spectators turned out to take part in the celebration.
The main theme for 2009 paid tribute to domestic automakers in recognition of the strong support they have shown for Meadow Brook over the years. It was the Big Three that helped establish the event through their support and role as alternating sponsors and event chairs. As such, this year’s Concours recognized American automakers for their contribution to automotive design, style, and performance. With a showfield of over 230 collector cars, 80 were selected to represent the show’s overarching theme of “The Best of Detroit” from the beginning of automotive production through the 1960s.
According to Larry Moss, the Car Selection Committee Chairman, “This year a fantastic cross section of collector cars was showcased on the field with cars and motorcycles hailing from 25 states and Canada. [It] was perhaps one of the best showings of classic and postwar era collector cars ever.” Add the pre-Concours event activities, like the road tour and the RM auction, and it is easy to understand why Meadow Brook ranks among the top three events in the country.
 This year, on Friday, we were invited to participate in the annual road tour thanks to an invitation from my close friend Don Sommer, who had just completed the restoration of his 1930 Packard 740 Phaeton, and was showing it for the first time at this year’s event. The road tour participants took part in a scenic motoring tour which included an afternoon stop for lunch in Birmingham at the Townsend Hotel. About 35 cars lined up behind historic Meadow Brook Hall and shortly after 10:00 AM proceeded to the first stop on our tour, car collector Larry Smith’s garage, where he hosted a quaint gathering and shared his passion of collecting cars with the group. From there it was off to the Townsend Hotel where the cars lined the street giving the city a nostalgic look of what one may have seen 50 or 60 years ago. After lunch we were off to Classic & Exotic Services of Detroit and were greeted by master mechanic and restorer Brian Joseph. The shop, located in Troy, Michigan, spans over 27,000 square feet and employs approximately 25 people. According to Joseph, they have completed winning restorations for cars which have competed at Pebble Beach, Meadow Brook, CCCA Grand Classic and other top Concours events across the country. Getting an inside glimpse of some of the current projects under restoration reminded us of just how much time and effort goes into bringing these beautiful rolling sculptures back to life.
Meadow Brook founder Don Sommer, who had just completed the restoration of his 1930 Packard 740 Phaeton, displayed the car for the first time at this year’s event.
On Saturday, we continued the Meadow Brook experience as RM Auctions presented their 15th annual “Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook” auction. As always the room was packed with a record number of bidders waiting to bid on the 102 cars being offered. When asked about this year’s event Ian Kelleher, President and Chief Operating Officer of RM Auctions stated, “Our vintage motor car auction at Meadow Brook is a mainstay event for our auction calendar and one we all look forward to each year.” I guess with selling an impressive 79 percent of the lots offered and posting sales in excess of $5.4 million, it would qualify not only as a successful sale, but an integral part of making the Meadow Brook experience so special. The top sale was a 1935 Auburn 851SC Boattail Speedster, which brought $462,000. Another important side note was this year RM offered a 2005 Ford GT, which sold for $187,000. What made the sale of this car important was that part of the proceeds went to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
On Sunday, Concours day, the organizers couldn’t have ordered better weather, beautiful blue skies, sunny and about 80 degrees. This year the organizers diversified the Concours by expanding its theme, as well as the circle of cars on the field. The major theme was “Best of Detroit” because the Big Three literally put Meadow Brook on the map. The venue itself is historic Meadow Brook Hall, built by Matilda Dodge Wilson (the widow of John Dodge), and in the 1920s, one of the wealthiest women in America. The estate is an architectural masterpiece and a permanent tribute to one of the greatest eras in Detroit’s history. Even in light of all the troubles the auto manufacturers are currently experiencing, the Meadow Brook Concours honored the Motor City with a display of over 80 cars paying homage to achievements in design, style, and engineering in both the pre- and post-World War II eras. David Kane of Bernardsville, NJ was honored with the “Best of Detroit” award for his rare and beautiful Cadillac V16 Convertible Sedan.
 The beauty of this year’s special theme was that whether you preferred prewar or postwar American iron, the showfield truly captured the American automotive dream, showcasing the history of our nation’s auto manufacturing for the better part of the 20th century. The Cadillac marque is one of my personal favorites and the V16 is one of the best early examples of mechanical achievement; GM at its very best. Another popular theme was “Fins & Chrome.” Here on display were some of the most recognizable marques such as a 1959 Cadillac with its huge vertical tailfins, massive chrome bumpers, and sweeping grille. There were also plenty of mid-50’s Thunderbirds, Corvettes and Chryslers, cars of all models and eras to please the eye and warm the spirit.
On Saturday, we continued the Meadow Brook experience as RM Auctions presented their 15th annual “Vintage Motor Cars at Meadow Brook” auction.
A first for Meadow Brook was a new “Racecar" theme. The Concours committee created a circle of racecars dating back from the earliest days of the sport to a trio of orange McLarens celebrating the 40th anniversary of the fabled racing team. Also on display was the racecar Johnny Rutherford drove to victory in the 1974 Indianapolis 500. At one point, as one of the racecars roared to life preparing to make its way to the winner's circle, the sound of the engine started to draw a crowd. This happened several times throughout the day as racecars fired up their engines and spewed white smoke from their open exhausts. Each time a crowd of spectators watched and applauded.
One of the most controversial racecars on display was the 1967 Ferrari 330 P3/4 Spyder owned by Hollywood director James Glickenhaus. The word from the Concours is that this racecar was scrapped by Ferrari after being damaged in a crash. It is believed to have the tube-frame chassis and other components from the original, which won the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours. Its case is supported by damage marks on the frame and race-inspection marks from Le Mans. Racecar restoration still remains one of the most intriguing and controversial areas of car collecting.
Besides the magnificent display of automobiles, there was also a special tent in the center of the field dedicated to Automotive Art and the artists who capture memorable moments on canvas, in bronze, and other mediums. Many are member of the prestigious Automotive Fine Arts Society, but the beauty of Meadow Brook is that they have a mix of independent artist as well. Some of the artists that everyone was familiar with included Tom Hale, David Chappel, Alex Buchan, and Ken Eberts. A common practice among the Concours is to commission one artist to create a piece which will be auctioned at the Saturday night Strolling Gala and then have their work prominently featured on the cover of the souvenir program and Concours poster. This year’s featured artist was British painter Gary Whinn, who has proudly displayed his masterpieces more than once at Meadow Brook. As best stated in the Meadow Brook program, Whinn’s paintings often suggest a romantic theme played out against a background of iconic cars and a sense of theater prevails throughout his work. Whinn noted, “My composition combines cars and people with an implied narrative to the scene to strike a chord with people’s memories.” And to his point, let’s face it; a successful Concours is all about creating memories.
Also returning this year was the voice of Meadow Brook, Ed Lucas. The master of Ceremonies at a dozen Concours d’Elegance, plus 20 auctions and car shows annually, Lucas presided over the inaugural Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance 30 years ago. As a member of the Society of Automotive Historians, he is acquainted with car collectors from coast to coast and his commentary is without doubt the best in the industry. Throughout the day Lucas entertained the throngs in attendance with highlights about the cars, their owners and the awards they were about to receive.
 Each of the 24 classes created for the Meadow Brook Concours has multiple winners. Besides the class awards there are a series of special awards given out before the day concludes with the Best of Show American and European awards, making for a very exciting program. The Best of Show honors for American cars went to a Packard V12 Sport Sedan with a body by Dietrich, owned by Ray Scherr of West Lake Village, CA. He was displaying his car in a circle of 15 V12-powered Packards, possibly the most V12s of one marque ever assembled. The winner for Best of Show European was a 1939 V12 Delahaye 165 Cabriolet with body by Figoni et Falaschi, owned by Peter Mullin of Los Angeles, CA. Mullin has one of the finest collections of French classics in America, and his striking red Delahaye also won this year’s People’s Choice Award. Obviously the sleek design and beautiful restoration was a true winner for both class judges and the audience.
Best of Show American and European awards, making for a very exciting program.
On a more personal note, Emcee Ed Lucas acknowledged Concours founder Don Sommer who called on many of his car collecting friends to establish the first Meadow Brook Concours 30 years ago. Sommer’s passion truly set the stage for an event that would become a benchmark in the collector car world. Over the years we have all come to realize that there are so many significant collectors bringing their cars from all parts of the country, and from around the world to make this show such a huge success, that without their dedication events such as Meadow Brook would not be possible. I wish we had the space within an issue to give credit to all the participants. If not for the passion of these collectors a large part of our automotive history and heritage could have been lost, and many of us would not have had the opportunity to appreciate these rolling sculptures. To Meadow Brook and the collectors who participated this year, our congratulations on one of the best Concours d’Elegance we experienced in 2009.  Meadow Brook - Slide Show |
