Super Models

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Photograph by Roy Wood and Darin Schnabel

This month, the bucolic grounds of Meadow Brook Hall will experience a well-mannered — and beautiful — traffic jam.

Some 230 of the world’s greatest historic automobiles will be displayed on lawns of the estate, which is on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester Hills. The automotive spectacle — otherwise known as Concours d’Elegance of America — also invites the viewing of auto-related art and beautiful people.

Each year, Larry Moss, who serves as chairman of the Car Selection Committee, works with a volunteer team to select the Concours themes, classes, and display cars. They attend other major Concours events and communicate with the collector community, contacting owners and inviting them to enter. In addition to vintage brass and gorgeous classic-era cars, this year’s show will include space-age sport coupes, speedsters and sports roadsters, factory experimental cars, 1960s drag cars, racing motorcycles, and a class of special cars formerly owned by the likes of Clark Gable, William Powell, Mae West, and Gene Autry.

The 2010 event kicks off a week earlier than in previous years, with the Motoring Tour on Friday, July 23, followed on Saturday by RM Auctions’ Vintage Motor Cars sale and the gala dinner. Sunday offers general viewing.

The Concours d’Elegance opens at 10 a.m. July 25. Tickets ($25; $125 for VIP) are available in advance at: meadowbrookconcours.org/tickets.