VW Intros New Passat at Prestigious Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance

By Marty Bernstein
Contributing Editor AIADA

Volkswagen choose one of the most renowned automotive events in America, if not the world, to introduce the new $23,000 Passat, due at dealers in a couple of months. VW officials unveiled the new model during a press conference on August 2, 2005 at Rochester, Michigan’s historic Meadowbrook Mansion, the site of the 29th annual Concours d’ Elegance, held Sunday, August 7, 2005.

Almost 100 automotive writers, journalists, photographers and historians attended the event held at the former home of Matilda Dodge Wilson, the widow of John Dodge of automotive fame and wife of lumber baron Alfred Wilson. The Meadowbrook Mansion is one of the largest mansions ever built in America.

The Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance is a week of activities to include: an Automotive Art Exhibition, Press Previews, Fashion Show, Automotive Art Auction, Gala Banquet, and, of course, the outdoor exhibition which includes approximately 280 of the world’s most prized automobiles.

Each year, the Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance collector car show and its art auction raises money to help with the preservation efforts at Meadow Brook Hall. Over the years, the event has raised and contributed more than $5,000,000 to the preservation of the Mansion.

In addition to the official press announcement of the Concours and the introduction of the Passat, Volkswagen of American along with Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini will host the elegant Saturday evening Concours – a black-tie gala strolling dinner featuring a unique Lincoln Highway and Route 66 theme and an automotive art auction.

This year, Concorso d’Italia featuring dozens of rare and exotic Italian cars, will also be held on Sunday, August 7, and will share the grounds of Meadow Brook Hall, with the Concours d’Elegance.