The Concours d’Elegance of America released the featured and traditional classes for the 2011 Concours d’Elegance of America at St John’s (formerly held at Meadow Brook Hall), to be held Sunday, July 31st at the Inn at St John’s in Plymouth, Michigan.
As previously disclosed, the Concours d’Elegance of America will move to the Inn at St John’s in 2011, after being held Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Michigan for 32 years. The new location affords organizers a larger show field, on-site luxury hotel and more opportunities for a robust menu of ancillary events.
Concours d’Elegance of America 2011 Featured Classes include:
Duesenberg Model A and Duesenberg Model J: The two featured circles will allow enthusiasts to compare the very different Duesenberg eras, the sturdy and reliable Model A to the refined and elegant Model J.
Lincoln Pre-War and Post-War to 1969: Since 1921 Lincoln has been an icon of American luxury. The 2011 Concours will trace its evolution with an array of special examples arranged in chronological order.
Indy Roadsters: The Concours salutes the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 with a unique display of Pre- and Post-War Indy cars, many with special historical significance.
Pre- and Post-War Chevrolet: The Concours d’Elegance of America celebrates Chevrolet’s 100th anniversary with two very special circles of America’s most popular automobile.
Fabulous Fifties: The Concours commemorates the design explosion of the 1950s characterized by color and chrome in this circle.
Ridler Award Winners: The Ridler Award originally honored the best creation to debut at AutoRama in Detroit. Over the last forty years the award has evolved to acknowledge new ideas, changing designs and new concepts. Today it emphasizes creativity, engineering and workmanship.
Traditional classes for Concours d’Elegance of America 2011 include:
American Classic Closed 1934 to 1942
American Classic Closed to 1933
American Classic Open 1934 to 1942
American Classic Open to 1933
American Muscle
American Performance – Drag Racing
American Popular 1930 to 1942
American Popular Post-War
American Post-War 1946 to 1960
American Post-War 1961 to 1970
Auburn Cord
European 1946 to 1960
European 1961 to 1970
European Pre-War
Pre-1925
Sports Cars Post-War
Sports Cars Pre-War
Super Cars
“The new, larger field offers the Concours opportunities to do so many new things,” says Brian Joseph, Chairman of the Car Selection Committee. “As far as I know, there has never been a Concours display dedicated exclusively to the Duesenberg Model A. Also, we will pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet, as befitting Detroit. And wait until you see how we display the Indy cars—it will blow your mind!”
The selection process is underway with many invitations already in the mail. Nominations will be accepted until December 31st. For more information, visit www.concoursusa.org.
[Source: Concours d’Elegance of America; photo credit: Nathan Leach-Proffer]
Is it me or is this Concours becoming increasingly American in its focus? Not complaining mind you, but given the special classes the last couple years, it does seem to be the case.
By my count, there are eleven American classes this year versus three European. Wish them well in the new location.