The inaugural Concours d’Elegance at St Johns is now history
Taking stock
The thirty-third annual Concours d’Elegance was this year given the even longer title listed above due to a shift in logistics from its former home of thirty-three years, Meadow Brook Hall, in Rochester to its new digs at the Inn at St. Johns in Plymouth Township.
Publicly, reasons for the move ranged from the need for on-site accommodations and improved facilities to more display space. Privately, a number of individuals long connected to the event spoke of a shift in perceptions and the less-than-enthusiastic support of the automotive-centered, non-educational event by Oakland University, due in no small part to the appointment of a new President.
In any case, in a very non-scientific straw poll taken by yours truly, two different perceptions seemed to emerge.
First of all, everyone I spoke with enjoyed it. Those who had previously attended at Meadow Brook did miss the elegant grandeur of the hall, although even these people admitted that some aspects of holding the event there could be off-putting.
But those who had never been to one were nearly unanimous in their praise of the facility and the vehicles on display.
Press release
Earlier this week, Concours d'Elegance of America at St John’s issued this press release:
PLYMOUTH, MI – Last weekend, more than 10.000 visitors came to see the Concours of America at the new venue at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth after decades at Meadow Brook Hall. And what a difference it made! The new space allowed for no less than 331 cars to be displayed on the generous field in almost two dozen classes. The well deserved winners of the first of many Concours’ of America at St. John’s were John D. Groendyke, who won “Best of Show Domestic” with his fabulous 1933 Duesenberg SJ and well-known collectors Arturo and Deborah Keller with their breathtaking black 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Autobahnkurier, which was awarded the honors of “Best of Show Foreign”.
1933 Duesenberg SJ Riviera Phaeton by Brunn
This majestic Duesenberg SJ Riviera Phaeton, SJ528, is one of only three Riviera Phaetons with coachwork by Brunn and one of only two factory supercharged cars. Originally purchased in June of 1934 by Lt. Col. Jacob Schick of razor fame, it boasts an ingenious roof design that was sleek and elegant compared with many contemporary solutions.
The 420 cu. in. inline-eight-cylinder-engine of this car delivered no less than 320hp – in 1933 an almost unbelievable number. Restored in the early 2000’s by multiple Best-of-Show-winning restorer Fran Roxas, the complete “nut and bolt” restoration involved every mechanical component either being rebuilt or refurbished as necessary. The award at the Concours of America reflects the effort being put into this car as well as the uniqueness of its design, history and technical specification.
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahnkurier
The Mercedes-Benz 500 and 540 K sports cars are no doubt unique and highly collectible vehicles. The perfect example displayed at this year’s Concours of America by Arturo and Deborah Keller, however, is an even more unique style exercise from the aero-dynamic decade of the 1930’s. The imposing 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Autobahnkurier, as the name suggests, was intended, for the very select few to cruise at unheard-of speeds on the newly created German Autobahns. Low-slung, with an almost seductive, tapered rear-end, the car is rumored to have inspired Jean Bugatti to create the legendary Atlantic. Powered by a 5.4 liter inline-eight-cylinder with a super-charger delivering 180 hp, this aerodynamic pioneer was capable of speeds in excess of 115 mph. This car was built new for Spanish Professor Ignacio Barraquer in 1938 and remained in the Barraquer family for almost 70 years, until Keller acquired it in 2004 and commissioned a full restoration by noted Mercedes experts Paul Russell & Co.
Other awards
The Concours of America awarded more than two dozen prizes over the weekend. Below is a short selection of some of the highlights in the various classes.
Best Driving Award 1965 Aston Martin DB5/6
Bill Mitchell Award 1957 Buick Roadmaster
Chairman’s Award 1911 Thomas 6-70K Flyer
Most Original – The Way it Was 1929 Duesenberg Model J
Most Elegant Car 1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B
Timeless Beauty Award 1933 Auburn V12
Spirit of Modernism 1931 Avions Voisin C20
