'38 Talbot-Lago, '29 Duesenberg crowned Best in Show at Meadow Brook concours

French curves and a ghost from the United States' gilded luxury-making past won top honors on Sunday at the 31st Concours d'Elegance of America at Meadow Brook on a sunny afternoon north of Detroit.

A 1938 Talbot-Lago 150-C teardrop coupe won Best in Show for European cars, and a 1929 Duesenberg Model J-129 Le Baron Dual Cowl Phaeton won Best in Show for Americans at the annual event, which attracts some of the most luxurious and pristine cars from around the country.

The Talbot-Lago shimmered with silver paint and chrome, and already counts two smaller awards at the Pebble Beach concours to its name. The swoopy teardrop design evokes the best of France's automaking on the eve of World War II, and with 140 hp from an inline six-cylinder, it packs a bit of a racing dynamic. The car was built in 1937 and delivered in 1938. It's owned by the Off Brothers Collection of Richland, Mich., and the light-hearted pair were genuinely happy with their victory--Off stands for “only for fun.” The body was built by Figoni et Filaschi.

“It's a piece of artwork,” said owner Bill Johnston said. “Some people have artwork on their wall; some people have the joy of driving.”

The American winner was equally stately and sharp, with a red and blue exterior, wire wheels and wide running boards. The owner, John Groendyke of Enid, Okla., has been a staple of the Meadow Brook concours for 15 years.

“I'm particularly pleased with this car,” he said. I worked hard on this car with the restorer.”

That statement could have applied to almost all of the estimated 200 or so cars in the field, though turnout may have been hurt by rain early in the morning. The awards ceremony went on for hours, and many other significant cars were recognized. The people's choice award went to a 1934 Packard, a 1937 Mercedes 540 K Cabriolet A won most photogenic and a 1937 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atalante won timeless beauty.

An example from each of the Detroit Three was honored, and a 1953 Buick Wildcat concept, a 1947 Ford Sportsman and a 1960 Chrysler 300F took home awards.

Greg Migliore
A 1938 Talbot-Lago 150-C teardrop coupe won Best in Show for European cars.

Ribbons, however, were far from the main point of the concours, which showcased some of the most famous and well-restored cars on the grassy grounds where the widow of auto pioneer John Dodge once lived, known as Meadow Brook Hall. The event also carries special significance as the “home” concours of the American auto industry in Detroit, and top judges included Mark Reuss, GM's North America boss; Ed Welburn, General Motors' design honcho; Chrysler design vice president Ralph Gilles; Ferrari racer Luigi Chinetti, and AutoWeek editor-in-chief Keith Crain.

Chicago collector Joe Bortz used the event to debut his Motorama exhibit, and perhaps the most notable one--a green 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne, rescued from a junkyard--attracted lots of stares over the course of the day. Former GM design boss Chuck Jordan, still vigorous in retirement, was pleased to see some of the '50s stylings back in the spotlight.

“The beauty of the Motorama cars is we tried different ideas,” he said.

Other highlights included a display of vintage drag cars, which fired their engines mid-afternoon, wood-bodied cars, space-age cars from the '50s and '60s and some of the best examples from museums around the country.

By Greg Migliore