Detroit — A 1937 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Chapron was chosen as this year’s Best of Show winner at the inaugural Detroit Concours d’Elegance, held at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Built upon the Concours d’Elegance of America’s four decades of excellence, the reimagined concours welcomed more than 5,000 participants across four events located in the middle of the thriving design, music and sporting heart of the Motor City. Central to the weekend’s festivities was former General Motors VP of Global Design and 2022 Detroit Concours d’Elegance Honoree, Ed Welburn.
“Today’s concours was the fulfillment of a vision. Our goal was to create a world class automotive event in the heart of Detroit, one that is worthy of the Motor City and thanks to our entrants and our partners, that is exactly what we did,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty. “The 1937 Delahaye was a perfect choice for today’s Best of Show. It’s a sleek, elegant car that people rarely see. It’s the kind of car that concours events are made for. Congratulations to owner Tom McGough for a well-deserved win.”
Continuing a decades-long tradition of giving, the Detroit Concours and the Hagerty Driver’s Foundation pledged a combined $55,000 to local nonprofit partners including College for Creative Studies, DRIVE One Detroit and Midtown Detroit, Inc.
On Friday, students from Detroit Public Schools attended Detroit Electrified at Beacon Park. The event, sponsored by the Detroit Concours, educated students on the evolution of alternative-powered vehicles. General Motors and Ford Motor Company displayed examples of their newest models including the Cadillac LYRIQ and Ford F-150 Lightning.
Saturday’s Cars & Community at Comerica Park featured more than 200 vehicles divided among Concours d’Lemons, RADwood and a curated car club display. More than 200 future drivers participated in the Kids Zone at Comerica Park with hands-on family activities including designing personalized key chains and license plates, CARicatures, diecast car tracks and more.
Two hundred drivers participated in Hagerty’s Ride and Drive. The program allows enthusiasts to get behind the wheel of classic cars selected from the Hagerty Learning Garage. Test drive vehicles included a 1951 Buick Super Eight, 1960 Plymouth Fury, 1963 Lincoln Continental, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396, 1970 Dodge Challenger and 1971 Ford Bronco.
On Sunday, the Detroit Institute of Arts was transformed into an automotive art display, with 120 historically significant vehicles on display. Detroit themed featured classes included: Cars of Harley Earl, Detroit Autorama and Woodward Avenue. Judges from across the automotive landscape included designers, restorers, historians and students, many who call the greater Detroit metro area home. A group of 10 youth judges between the ages of 8 and 14 chose the Hagerty Youth Judging award winners.
The 2022 Detroit Concours d’Elegance Best of Show trophy was awarded to a 1937 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Chapron displayed by Tom McGough from Shoreview, Minnesota.
The 135 was first presented at the 1934 Paris Salon. Just after its introduction, Delahaye merged with French manufacturer Delage, inheriting many of the marque’s wealthy clients who demanded both performance and elegance in an automobile. The agile chassis, combined with a triple-Solex downdraft carburetor-equipped 120hp, 3.5-liter, six-cylinder engine backed up by a Cotal 4-speed electric shift transmission, made for a wonderfully competitive road and racing car. A total of 2,592 were produced from 1935-1952 including 1,115 built post-WWII. Competition-spec engines include, among other modifications, a higher compression cylinder head — equally at home on the racetrack or on the boulevard. According to the owner, Chassis No. 47538 sports a unique laid-back grille, lower fender profile and interior doors with wood surrounds. The coachwork is by Henri Chapron of Paris.
Refillable water bottle stations, e-tickets and an 80% reduction in printed programs reduced waste and environmental impact over the weekend.
Detroit Concours d’Elegance, by the numbers
- $55,000 pledged to local charities (Number includes $25,000 donated by the Hagerty Driver’s Foundation)
- >5,000 attendees across four different events
- Hundreds of youth engaged
- 200 vehicles at Cars & Community
- 120 vehicles at the Detroit Concours d’Elegance
- 200 Ride and Drive experiences
Source: Detroit Concours d’Elegance