The Detroit Concours returns to the Detroit Institute of Arts for two days of automotive fun and excellence, Friday, September 22 and Saturday, September 23, 2023. A celebration of the city and the automotive culture that defines it, the Detroit Concours is presented by specialty insurer Hagerty, an automotive lifestyle brand committed to preserving classic car culture. Partial proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Midtown Detroit and Cass Technical High School.
Each year, the Detroit Concours honors a worthy individual from the automotive world, one whose contributions have helped shape the industry. In 2023, instead of celebrating one person as they’ve done in the past, the concours is proud to honor the American automotive employees and retirees – designers, line workers, engineers etc. – who actually crafted the cars we love by highlighting their personal cars, photos and stories throughout the event.
“From assembly lines to design studios, machine shops and board rooms, America’s automotive industry was powered by the people of Detroit. Many are unsung heroes, creating the cars we see in museums, on Concours lawns and racing at tracks around the world and we thought it was time to highlight their collective contributions,” said Matt Orendac, Hagerty’s Vice Chairman, Concours Group. “That’s why this year we’ve taken a traditional honoree program and scaled it up with Powered by Detroit as our way of recognizing this collective passion and contribution.”
Revving Up Automotive Excitement
On Friday, September 22, the Detroit Concours presents Cars & Community, a family-friendly event in celebration of the people who put the world on wheels. Not only will autoworker families receive a discounted ticket, but a selection of their vehicles will be front and center at Detroit Institute of Arts in a special display called, “Powered by Detroit.”
In addition to this special display, Cars & Community will feature musical entertainment, experiential displays and showcase 100 stunning vehicles from greater Metro Detroit car clubs. You will experience stand outs from brands like Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Alfa Romeo, BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren and more. Fans of the ‘80s and ‘90s will appreciate the totally awesome RADwood display, and families will enjoy the Future Drivers Club, a youth- focused program with games, BMW poster coloring and an art project with transportation students from the College for Creative Studies. In addition, young people will have an opportunity to participate in an automotive-themed scavenger hunt as well as sit behind the wheel of student-built race cars representing Wayne State University, Oakland University and Lawrence Tech University.
Saturday’s Concours d’Elegance will showcase 150 incredible vehicles on the lawns surrounding the Detroit Institute of Arts. “Concours” is simply a French word for a judged competition where prizes are awarded to classic cars in various classes based on their condition, historical significance, rarity, and elegance.
This year’s concours features 20 classes, including the Detroit-themed American Sports Cars of the ‘50s and ‘60s, MOPAR Magic, Designs of Gordon Buehrig, 120th Anniversary of Buick, and a tribute to the event’s past with Concours of America All Stars, featuring Best in Class winners from 1979-1201. The rest of the automotive world will also be well represented with classes like Pre- and Post-War European, Japanese Classics, Ferraris from the 60s and anniversary celebrations of Porsche, McLaren, and Lamborghini.
Whether you own a collector car or not, you’ll love both days of the Detroit Concours.
About Detroit Concours d’Elegance
The Detroit Concours d’Elegance is a tribute to the people who designed, built, and drove American car culture, and to the vehicles at its heart. Held at the Detroit Institute of Arts with activity throughout the city, complementary and ticketed activities include new-vehicle showcases, ride & drive opportunities, exclusive experiences as well as Friday’s family-focused Cars & Community and Saturday’s Concours d’Elegance.
The Detroit Concours d’Elegance builds on more than four decades of world-class automobiles, exceptional hospitality and impactful community giving. Its heritage can be traced back to its beginnings in 1979 at Meadow Brook and Concours of America.
For more about the Detroit Concours d’Elegance, visit DetroitConcours.com.
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