Rare GM Historic Vehicles on Display at Salisbury Automobile Classic
 |
DES MOINES, Iowa--Several multi-million dollar automobiles will be making rare appearances at the eighth annual Salisbury Automobile Classic on Sunday, September 9. The Salisbury House Foundation, in cooperation with General Motors and a local dealership, Betts Cadillac, has secured the arrival of the 1938 Buick Y Job, the 1951 Le Sabre and a 1953 - 59 Cadillac Le Mans, all part of the private GM Heritage Collection of rare and concept vehicles. Also joining this year’s event is the unique Futurliner.
“We are extremely grateful to GM and to Betts Cadillac for the opportunity to share these vehicles with Iowans at this year’s Automobile Classic,” says Scott Brunscheen, executive director of the Salisbury House Foundation. “This promises to be the most spectacular Salisbury Automobile Classic to date and no one will want to miss it. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see them up close, all together at the same event.”
Legendary GM designer Harley Earl created these particular vehicles as part of a group known as concept cars. They were the cars of the future and not intended for mass production at the time. In charge of design for GM from 1927 – 1958, it is said Earl’s automotive design ideas have had more impact on the growth and design of the American automobile industry than any other designer. He is also credited with inventing the concept car genre, and did much to popularize it through GM’s traveling Motorama shows of the 1950s.
“Concept cars are quickly becoming automobile collectors’ most desired vehicles to own across the globe,” says David Baum, co-chair of the 2007 Salisbury Automobile Classic. “Most concept cars were destroyed after they served their purpose, so we are unbelievably fortunate to have these cars to display. The first and likely most famous concept car ever designed is the 1938 Buick Y Job. The 1951 Le Sabre was Harley Earl’s favorite, and one he personally drove. The 1953 Cadillac Le Mans was one of four hand-built for display on the 1953 New York Motorama tour.”
Another unique vehicle on display at the Salisbury Automobile Classic is a fully restored General Motors Futurliner. An additional 100 classic and prestige vehicles, many of them showcasing the designs of the Harley Earl era, will also be present.
The eighth annual Salisbury Classic Weekend, presented by AAA Minnesota/Iowa, is September 7-9. The event kicks off on Friday, September 7 with the Gatsby Gala, a Roaring Twenties themed dinner and auction. The Salisbury Automobile Classic will be held Sunday, September 9 from Noon until 5 p.m. at the Salisbury House & Gardens. Tickets will be available at the gate at $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and under 6 are free. A coupon for 50% off an adult admission is available at www.salisburyhouse.org.
More information about Harley Earl, who industry observers call the ‘father of the automotive design industry,’ can be found at the official Harley Earl Web site: www.carofthecentury.com or at www.gm.com.
About the Salisbury House
Salisbury House is a 42-room mansion located at 4025 Tonawanda Drive and is modeled after King’s House in Salisbury, England. Built in the 1920s by Iowans Carl and Edith Weeks, the home contains authentic 16th century English Oak, English flintwork, and rafters that date to the time of Shakespeare. It is filled with an eclectic collection of art, tapestries, books and furnishings.
The mission of the Salisbury House Foundation is to preserve, interpret, and share the international significance of Salisbury House and its collections as a historic house museum for the educational and cultural benefit and enjoyment of the public. More information about the house and Salisbury Classic Weekend events can be found at www.salisburyhouse.org.
