This year marked the 29th annual Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance held at the Oakland University campus in Michigan. The weeklong event has grown to become one of the premier shows in the country with a diverse and unique selection of automobiles combined with the serene and relaxing setting of the Meadow Brook Hall and its surroundings. The show helps to support the beautiful Meadowbrook Hall, and this event is the largest fundraising event supporting the preservation of the building and grounds.

The event started on August 2 with a welcome reception and fashion show at the hall, as well as the hangar party at the Oakland Airport sponsored by Lufthana Airlines. The event featured several historic cars and planes. The events continued on Friday with the motoring tour that included stops at the Royal Park Hotel and the Walter P. Chrysler Museum. Later in the day, an automotive art reception allowed exhibiting artists to auction one original piece at no reserve. Saturday’s events included the RM vintage motor cars auction. A record 25 cars were sold for over $100,000, and a 1932 Harmon HCM V12 sedan was the top seller at $891,000. Finally, the Concours D’Elegance takes place on Sunday, with over 250 automobiles and motorcycles sprawled across the lawn.

This year Alfa Romeo was the featured marque, and the brand was represented by some of the finest examples in the world separated by three different classes. Several Tipo 8C 2900’s were on display, and Alfa Romeo also gave North America its first look at their modern supercar with the 8C Competizione. Other unique Alfas at the show included the B.A.T. prototypes that demonstrate aerodynamic technology from the 1950’s.

Meadow Brook also celebrated the “Class of 1957” and its 50th anniversary. Every American model line during that year was represented, including a DeSota Adventurer Convertible, an Indianapolis Pace Car, and, of course, a pristine Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible. Other featured automobiles included American Super Stock and the Saoutchik and Murphy coachbuilders.

Meadow Brook is unique in that it has multiple Best of Show Winners. A 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Spider took top honors as the best foreign automobile, and a 1931 Chrysler GG Imperial Victoria Convertible by Waterhouse won the American category.

For 2008 the Meadow Book Concours will celebrate its 30th anniversary, and will feature significant Ferraris, GM’s 100th anniversary, cars from 1933, 16-cylinder cars, 8-liter Bentleys, and motorcycles with side cars. For more information and ticket information visit www.meadowbrookconcours.org .