Concours d'Elegance of America: Auctions and Tigers, Oh My!

Detroit knows how to do car shows. Perhaps no area in the country outside of Pebble Beach can put on a multiday, multievent festival of sheetmetal in the manner in which the Motor City can. It's intrinsic, at times it's altruistic--but it's always about the cars.

Detroit actually does it several times a year, with the major international auto show, followed by a hot-rod show, Autorama, in the winter. In the summer, it's the nationally renown Woodward Dream Cruise, and of course the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. But this year, Meadow Brook has a new name and a new venue. It's now the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's, and this weekend the same impressive vintage-car show is expanded and relocated to the other side of town.

If you're not from Detroit, swapping out one lush green stetting for another might not mean much to you. But, Meadow Brook was known around the country as one of the premier concours, behind Pebble Beach, but little else. And to change the site--especially moving from its namesake site--could be wrought with potential pitfalls.

But so far, so good. Organizers say there are more hotel rooms and better facilities. And after experiencing a day of concours-related activities, early indications are the event has a fitting new home.

First on the agenda was a stop by RM Auctions' annual sale on the eve of the concours. It was always a highlight at Meadow Brook, and this year it was again a top attraction. Where else can you see immaculately restored, ultrarare Packards, Cadillacs and Mercedes-Benzes for sale? There are a few places, but your options are limited.

The sale was energetic and interesting, as usual, with RM founder Rob Myers himself even in the front confirming bids. A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL coupe with gullwing doors fetched $615,000, and a 1939 Packard Twelve nabbed $162,500, not including the buyers' premiums. Several impressive wares, including a 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster, were not immediately sold on the block when the reserve was not reached, though there's always potential for buyers to broker a deal after the bidding.

The auction was well attended, with a near-capacity crowd filling the room at St. John's, a picturesque former Catholic seminary surrounded by a golf course.

Before the sale ended, a new event commanded our attention and required an early exit from the auction (we'll have the complete report when final sales figures are tallied).

Sensing an opportunity, the Detroit Tigers played host to their first classic-car show at Comerica Park, about a half an hour a way from the concours.

There were 96 cars on display, and most, if not all were produced by the hometown team. But while Delages, Delahayes and Duesenbergs win awards, Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Corvettes are crowd pleasers, and a sizable chunk of the sellout crowd of 40,753 saw the extensive display in front of the ballpark. The Tigers fell 5-1 to the Los Angeles Angels, but the reactions of car enthusiasts before the game waere nearly as lusty as the pennant-crazed baseball fans.

With a space-age Pontiac Firebird concept borrowed from General Motors, and a Ford GT supercar on loan from the concours, the event appeared to gain traction. (Editor's Note: I served as a judge for the car show.)

It was an interesting day, and that just scratches the surface. Other events included a forum focused on former General Motors design chief Chuck Jordan, which we popped in on briefly--and just in time to catch discussion on a '66 Oldsmobile Toronado. There also was a track event at relatively nearby Michigan International Speedway, a motoring tour and an elaborate display of automotive art.

So early indications are promising for the Motor City's concours. Of course, show day is Sunday. That's the highlight, and if organizers can pull it off in the same fashion as the supporting events, it should be memorable.

Follow Greg Migliore at the Concours d'Elegance of America on Sunday on twitter at @gregmigliore.

By Greg Migliore