American Elegance: Duesenbergs and drag cars return for concours at Meadow Brook

Cackling and rumbling, roaring and growling, the pair of vintage drag racers rolls onto the brick courtyard--a silver 1965 Dodge Coronet and a gaudy orange '66 “Gas Ronda” Mustang. They're two of the headliners at this year's Concours d'Elegance of America at Meadow Brook. They were followed moments later by a Bugatti Veyron, which almost silently slipped into view, thanks to the clandestine output of its 1,001 hp.

Without missing a beat, one of the organizers, Larry Moss, intoned: “Meadow Brook isn't my father's concours.”

Clearly.

Fourteen of the greatest drag-racing machines ever from the early days of the sport, classic motorcycles, a Ferrari 599 and plenty of American muscle cars will be showcased at this year's concours on July 25 in Rochester, Mich. Show officials are taking dramatic steps--such as casting spotlights on menacing dragsters--in an effort to broaden the appeal of the event.

But fear not, fans of the old and pristine--Cords, Duesenbergs, Auburns, Packards, Cadillacs and scores of other examples of gilded and sporting automobiles will be prominently displayed at the event with 230 cars and bikes on display. That includes contributions from 25 U.S. states and Canada.

Other classes and themes this year include “bookend Bugattis,” General Motors Motorama cars from the Joe Bortz collection, celebrity cars, space-age cars and a 1971 AMC Javelin Trans-Am racer driven by Mark Donahue for Roger Penske.

The show was slightly renamed for this year; it was previously known as the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. The event is held on the grounds of Meadow Brook Hall, where Matilda Dodge Wilson, the widow of auto baron John Dodge, once lived. The 1920s Tudor mansion serves as a backdrop for the cars which dot its expansive grounds in back.

Greg Migliore
A 1966 Ford Mustang and a 1965 Dodge Coronet will be among the drag-racing cars on display.

In addition to the Veyron and the '60s drag cars, organizers rolled out a small field of classic cars from a wide range of genres and eras at a preview event on Tuesday morning. A gleaming black and chrome 1964 Jaguar XKE wringing out 235 hp from a six-cylinder was one of the more understated yet elegant examples. The total package weighs just 2,600 pounds, and it employs a four-speed transmission and three carburetors. Also on display was a 1960 Pontiac Ventura, with subtle fins in the back and a sleeker front. Striking in black and chrome as well, this car was a bridge between the stylish '50s and muscle-bound '60s. An angular 1992 Vector and an imposing 1930s Bucciali TAV 8-32 with an immaculate reddish-purple wooden interior were also featured prominently.

The concours is the culmination of days of auto-related events leading up to the show. RM Auctions will stage its 16th sale at the event with more than 100 cars and will focus on American classics. There also will be a design forum and a motoring tour.

By Greg Migliore