More than 300 vehicles ranging from one-of-a-kind classics to four of the Ford GTs that competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race a month ago will fill the grounds at the Inn at St. John's in Plymouth, Mich., July 31 for the 38th annual Concours d'Elegance of America car show.
The concours caps a weekend of events ranging from a free panel discussion by the Detroit Three's design chiefs to a tour of historic architectural and automotive sites in Detroit and an auction of 70 vehicles, including a 1929 Duesenberg expected to raise more than $1 million for Hillsdale College.
"It's an astounding collection of cars," said Brian Joseph, chair of the committee that determined the show's 29 classes and invited vehicles and owners from across the country.
The vehicles range from the auto industry's infancy to modern super cars. While most leading concours d'elegance auto shows focus on old classics, America's Concours will have vehicles ranging from a 1901 Duryea to fabulous examples of French design and bodywork, vintage motorcycles, 1950s camper trucks, the ultra-modern McLaren 675LT exotic and more. Here's what to expect:
FRIDAY
_A parade of old cars from Plymouth, Mich., to Chelsea, Mich.
_A bus tour of historic and interesting sites in Detroit, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Packard Plant, Fox Theatre, College for Creative Studies and the original General Motors building.
_A free preview of cars to be auctioned the next day.
_Battle of the Brands, a drive-in gathering of sports cars and motorcycles that's open to all.
SATURDAY
_Cars and Coffee with Barry Meguiar, a free event for people to bring collectible cars or come and admire them.
_Concours d'LeMons, a gathering of not-so classics that "brings Hoopties, Rust Buckets, Misfits, Mistakes and the worst of the automotive world" together for amusement.
_Free seminars on design, the Ford GT and muscle and pony cars. The design seminar will feature three of the world's top automotive designers: GM's Michael Simcoe, Fiat Chrysler's Ralph Gilles and Ford's Moray Callum.
_Italian happening, a gathering of all types of Italian cars and motorcycles
_The Motor City Mingle, cocktails, dinner and an auction benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research fund and featuring a performance by rock legend Mitch Ryder.
