PLYMOUTH, Mich. — The 38th Concours d’Elegance of America was held once again on the beautiful grounds of the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Mich. It showcases more than 300 of the most rare, collectible and luxurious automobiles you’ve ever seen. This year’s collection features the Pierce Arrow, Ford GT’s, the Jet-Age travel trucks, among others. It is a great time to see the fashion, beauty, styling and sophistication of these beautiful automobiles showcased today.
Barry Meguiar was chosen as the 2016 “Enthusiast of the Year.” He is the third generation president of Meguiar’s Inc. Meguiar was born and raised in Southern California and won many awards during his lifetime. He created “Car Crazy,” a television show for auto enthusiast’s that contains interviews with celebrities. He also launched his first consumer product, the Meguiar’s Liquid Cleaner Wax.
I spoke with Tom Cotter who owns the yellow 1939 Woody Deluxe. He wrote 16 books including the “Barn Find” Road Trip which was on display at this year’s show. He drove this Woody on Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles, which took 15 days to get there and three days to get back. He says he owns five Woody’s. This 1939 Woody won an award for International Automotive Media Competition. “This vehicle only has 38,000 miles on it and gets 25 miles per gallon,” says Cotter. He notes that it has an overdrive transmission with a Corvette engine. Cotter also owns a total of 35 cars.
The Patterson collection of Louisville, Kentucky showed off their 1933 Delage. This vehicle was founded by Louis Delage in 1905. During the early years, Delage built small powerful race cars. He received success when his cars won the 1927 Grand Prix World Championship. The car shown here at the Concours was the 1934 Paris Show car. It was the best French design ever. This car has not been seen in public since 2007. In 2010, this car won the “Best in Show” award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
AmericaJR.com’s Jerome Rzucidlo particularly liked the 1957 Suburban. This Chevrolet “truck wagon” concept was introduced in the 1930’s with the introduction of the Carryall Suburban. It is recognized as the first American sport-utility vehicle. The color is cardinal red and is equipped with a V-8 engine but had an option of a six cylinder.
Another interesting vehicle was the 1931 Duesenberg. This car represents the essence of a world-class luxury vehicle. This vehicle was sold to Clara S. Peck, who was the heiress to the Woolworth department store fortune. A total of just 481 Model J Duesenbergs were produced during a period of ten years, from 1928-1937. I was informed that there is an Auburn Cord Duesenberg Auto Museum in Auburn, Indiana just less than three hours from Detroit.
The 1932 Buick 90 Series caught my interest. David Buick founded Buick in 1899 in Jackson, Mich., which is the oldest automobile brand in the world and the oldest in the United States. Then, as we all know, Buick moved to Flint, Michigan. The “freewheeling automatic clutch” of this vehicle provided no shifting with the clutch between the second and third gears as it was activated by a button on the floor. The Series 90 line was offered in 1932.
Wow, I don’t even remember this car. The 1967 AMC Marlin. This production car was called the Rambler Marlin and was introduced in February 1965. It sold 10,327 in the first year. This vehicle featured 343 CID V8, bucket seats and factory air. Its fastback roof design was previewed on the 1964 Rambler Tarpon. However, this version had a longer hood with more interior room.
What a great day for a car show. The weather was perfect and there was so much to see. I am looking forward to next year’s show.
