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| Cadillac, on its 110th anniversary, has been selected as the featured marque of the 9th annual Concours d'Elegance of Southwest Michigan. The Concours selection committee has created a list of desired vintage Cadillacs for the show. Not surprisingly, the limited edition 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham - a $13,000 car when you could buy a Chevy for $2,000 - is on the list of desirable models once sold by the GM brand. |
In a little more than a month, I will oversee the mailing of
over 1,200 Concours invitation letters to vintage vehicle owners with addresses
throughout the Midwest. The letter, from
me representing the selection committee of the Concours d’Elegance of Southwest
Michigan, will invite owners to submit a vehicle or vehicles to show in the
2013 August car show fundraiser.
In years past an average of 80 vehicles have been selected. This year the decision has been made to
increase the total by a dozen or so vehicles.
The show will remain in St. Joseph’s Lake Bluff Park.
Like past years, a featured marque has been selected. To celebrate its 110th anniversary, the
General Motors luxury brand Cadillac will be celebrated in 2013. We will be seeking a large number of
significant Cadillac models to invite to St. Joseph and participate in the noon
lead-off Pass in Review event.
Cadillac has produced many fabulous automobiles over its
long history. Naturally, we have some
favorites we’d like to see in the show.
On the list includes the first Cadillac, the 1903 model. Concours narrator Ed Lucas is hopeful further
locate a 1903 Ford Model A as a companion model, as they are nearly identical.
Cadillac was first with a self starter with its 1913 model –
we’d like to have that car, as well as the 1915 Type 51 model that was
propelled by Cadillac’s first V-8 engine.
Just about any Cadillac from the 20s or 30s will be welcome. Whether it is a formal limousine, dual cowl
phaeton, convertible Berline or sport phaeton – we won’t be fussy.
Cadillac sold Series 452 V-16s from 1930 to 1937 and any one
of them would be a great addition. I’m a
huge fan of the 1938 Sixty Special, one of renowned designer Bill Mitchell’s
first effort at GM. Cadillacs from the 1940s
on the list include the 1941 model and the all-new, post-war 1948 – 49 offerings,
especially the fastback coupe.
My favorite Cadillacs are from the fifties. We’ll hope to have at the show the rare 1953
Eldorado convertible, either a 1957 or 58 Eldorado Brougham, maybe a 1957
Eldorado Biarritz or Seville or the iconic finned 1959 convertible.
Favorites from the 60s include any 1961 – 62 models, any
1965 – 66 models and the 1967 front drive Eldorado luxury coupe. Great 1970s offerings include the 1971
Cadillac or the first smaller Cadillac, the 1975 Seville.
Cadillac with an interesting history will also be
invited. Powerful and famous people were
drawn to the “Standard of the World” mystique and bought the luxurious
car. A great looking Cadillac once owned
by a celebrity will be a welcome addition.
The Concours leads off the 1:30 and 3:00 Pass in Review
events with cars representing a special featured class. This year we are seeking both horseless
carriage “high wheeler” vehicles from the early days of the late 19th
and early 20th centuries for the 1:30 event and “Lady Owned Cars” at
the 3:00 presentation.
High wheelers on our list include a
Holsman, Economy, International and others of that era. Readers who have attended the Concours show
may recall the wonderful 1909 Economy Touring high wheeler belonging to Brady
Mann of Illinois. If you own a high
wheeler, or know of someone who does, please get in touch with me. We hope to have a half-dozen of these
interesting vehicles.
As I attend more and more car shows,
I’m noticing the increasing numbers of ladies who own and show vintage
cars. We will make an effort to find at
least six female owners who can show their vehicle.
An invite has already been extended to
Margaret Dunning of Plymouth, Mich. She
is the 102-year old Internet sensation who shows a 1930 Packard 740 Roadster,
which she has owned since new. She has
already accepted invitations and shown her beautiful Classic Packard at Pebble
Beach in California and at the St. Johns’ Concours (formerly Meadowbrook) show
in Plymouth.
Naturally, we hope
she will be free and can accept our invitation.
A suite at The Boulevard Inn has already been reserved for her.
If readers own any of the cars discussed in this week’s
column or know of someone who does, please get in touch with me soon. I will add your or their name and address to
the master mailing list, and send an invitation in late January. If you would like more information about the
Concours, don’t hesitate to contact me.
A reminder to past show participants. If you have had a vehicle in the Concours, it
is eligible to be shown again if two years have passed. If you showed your vehicle in 2010 or
earlier, please consider applying again.
The 9th Annual Concours d’Elegance of Southwest
Michigan fundraiser will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2013. Be sure to visit our Facebook address at www.facebook.com/ConcoursSWMI. We’d love to have you “like” us and stay in
touch.
The
Concours' selection committee is seeking "high wheelers" automobiles
to fill a special class for the 9th annual car show on August 10, 2013.
High wheelers, also called "horseless carriages," were built at
the beginning of the auto era in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
This 1909 Economy G Surrey, owned by Brady Mann of Illinois, is an excellent
example of a high wheeler and was on display at last summer's Concours
d'Elegance in St. Joseph.
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