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2006 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance
By: Drew Phillips
Photos by Nathan Leach Proffer
August 11, 2006

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This year marked the 28th annual Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance held at the on the Oakland University campus in Michigan. The weeklong event has grown to become one of the premier shows in the country with a diverse and unique selection of automobiles combined with the serene and relaxing setting of the Meadow Brook Hall and its surroundings. The show helps to support the beautiful Meadowbrook Hall which is the fourth largest house in the United States. This year featured the Golden Era Classics of Pre-War II as well as the automotive art of Francois Bruere. While still overshadowed by Pebble Beach later in the month, Meadow Brook aims to improve the show every year. “Each year the Concours at Meadow Brook becomes more spectacular, and our ultimate aim is to make it the best collector car show in the world,” said Lolly Bezy, the event’s executive director. “And thanks to the many sponsors and supporters, we’ve been able to add events and features to create a Concours Week that really does offer something for everyone.”

The event started on July 30 with an online auction through ebay motors as well as featuring the “Ladies of Concours,” twenty women classic car owners who support the event. After a short lead press day for the media, the Invitational Art Reception on August 3 allowed a preview of some of the most renowned automotive art by some of the world’s most well-known artists. Much of the artwork was available for purchase. Several of the cars make an appearance the next day during the Motoring Tour in which participants of the show take a scenic driving tour from Volkswagen headquarters to the Royal Park Hotel where they are put on display for viewing. Also at the hotel is a Mode du Concours fashion show and luncheon. Saturday the 5th provided another opportunity to purchase a car at the Classic Car Auction by RM Auctions. At the Meadow Brook Hall, guests could enjoy dinner and an automotive art auction. Finally, the main concours was held on Sunday, August 6th, where automotive enthusiasts from around the country gathered to view approximately 300 of the world’s most desired cars.

The theme for this year was “A New Kind of Classic.” Activities had a family-friendly emphasis to encourage enthusiasts of all ages to come and enjoy the show. Besides viewing the cars, tours were available of the Meadow Brook Hall, and children could compete in a balloon car race. Even three of the vehicles from the movie “Cars” made an appearance at the show.

The feature cars of this year’s show were those of the “Classic” years, particularly the rare duPont automobile, custom Waterhouse bodied cars, and a display of more than twenty rare and incredible Mercedes-Benz automobiles from 1927-1940. Perhaps the car with the greatest presence at the show, however, was the 1925 Rolls Royce PII Jonckheere Aerodynamic Coupe that took home the honor of People’s Choice. Unlike many shows, the Meadow Brook Concours has two cars win best of show with the categories of American and European. A 1931 duPont Model H Sport Phaeton won the American best of show, and a Horch 853A Sport Cabriolet was named the best European.