Meadow Brook Weekend

The thirtieth Meadow Brook Concours kicked off yesterday morning with a press conference held in the shadows of Meadow Brook Hall

Working towards the weekend

Yesterday, the 30th Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance officially kicked off this year’s show with its annual press conference. The theme this year, the “Best of Detroit” will serve to pay homage to the three domestic auto manufacturers that have, in the past, been major supporters of this annual event, held at the family home of one of Detroit’s auto pioneers.

“Detroit’s ‘Big 3’ auto makers have been perennial supporters of the Meadow Brook Concours,” said Matthew de Larcinese, Executive Director – Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance. “As a gesture of gratitude for their long-standing support, the Concours is pleased to commemorate its 30th Anniversary with a celebration of Detroit’s automotive heritage featuring the engineering and design excellence of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.”

Friday events

In addition to the Concours, itself, which takes place on Sunday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, there are a number of other events that are closely tied to the show.

Beginning at 8:30 am on Friday, July 31st, there will be a 50 mile motoring tour that begins in the courtyard of the Meadow Brook mansion that will visit two vintage car collections in Bloomfield Hills and Troy with a luncheon scheduled in-between in Birmingham.

At roughly the same time (10:45 am) a shuttle will leave Meadow Brook Hall for a VIP tour of The Henry Ford that includes a gourmet lunch and a rare opportunity to explore the Conservation Lab, the Benson Ford Research Center (the museum archives) and the Model T Garage, which will include a Model T tour around Greenfield Village (if you are interested, there are a very limited number of reservations for this tour).

Finally, beginning at 6:30 pm, there is a 30th Anniversary Welcome Reception & RM Auction Preview for invited guests as well as registered bidders for Saturday’s “Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook” auction at the Shotwell-Gustafson Pavilion at Meadow Brook Hall.

2009 Poster “A Toast to the Great and the Good”

Saturday events

In addition to the auction, Saturday’s lineup includes two automotive-related seminars:

At 8:30 am, James Haefner, author of “Rare and Exquisite Vehicles of Distinction”, will discuss and demonstrate techniques of artistic car photography which will take place in the Meadow Brook Hall Carriage House Courtyard.

Beginning at 9:30 am in the Meadow Brook Hall Ballroom, A panel discussion led by Ed Lucas will include designers: Ralph Gilles of Chrysler Group LLC, Bill Porter of General Motors and Patrick Schiavone of Ford Motor Company. The discussion will focus on key elements of past and future automotive design.

Tags: Chrysler, detroit, Ford, general motors, greendfield village, meadow brook, meadow brook concours, meadow brook concours d'elegance, meadow brook hall, model t, rm auction