Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance Celebrates 25 Years with 25 Duesenbergs

Classic Car Show Also Honors Ford and Buick Centennials

ROCHESTER, Mich., July 21 -- The Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance (Concours) will celebrate its silver anniversary on Sunday, August 3 with a stunning and unprecedented presentation of 25 Duesenbergs, the crown jewel of the classic car world.

The Duesenbergs, along with centennial celebration displays of Fords and Buicks, will be part of a dazzling array of 250 invited vintage and classic automobiles. They represent the pinnacle of American motoring and are among the most rare and valued cars in the world.

The Concours takes place on the lush green hills of Oakland University's 1,400-acre Meadow Brook Hall, former home of Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto baron John Dodge. It is the culmination of a celebration of the automobile that includes an automotive art exhibit and auction, a haute couture fashion show, a vintage car auction and a black-tie gala. All events are open to the public. Proceeds benefit Meadow Brook Hall.

The Duesenbergs

Selected for its stature, elegance and extreme rarity, the Duesenberg marque captures the essence of the Concours in its 25th anniversary year. "Not since the six Bugatti Royales were gathered at Pebble Beach in the late 1980s has there been a more significant historic car event," said Dick Kughn, Chairman of the Board of the Meadow Brook Hall Concours d'Elegance.

"The Duesenberg has become the epitome of a true classic car and one of the most valuable collector cars ever built," said Kughn. "The Concours is honored to feature these masterpieces."

The Duesenberg collection that will be featured at the Concours includes the following:

* 1935 Supercharged Duesenberg "Mormon Meteor," considered the most valuable Duesenberg in existence. It broke many land speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats and is a fitting tribute to the engineering prowess of Fred and August Duesenberg. It is owned by Knox Kershaw of Alabama.

* Two rarely seen SSJ LaGrande Supercharged Duesenberg Speedsters -- Clark Gable's 1936 model (now owned by Al Ferrara of Ohio), and Gary Cooper's 1935 (now owned by the Collier Museum of Florida). Only 475 Model Js were built in a 10-year period (1928-38).

* 1929 Duesenberg LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton owned by Richard Kughn of Michigan (originally owned by Billy Rose)

* 1931 Duesenberg Derham Tourster owned by John McMullen of Michigan (once owned by Howard Hughes)

* 1931 Duesenberg Rollston Convertible Victoria owned by Terence Adderley of Michigan. The only Duesenberg to win Best of Show at Meadow Brook, Pebble Beach and Auburn Cord Duesenberg National Meet in the same year.

* 1933 Duesenberg Brunn Riviera Convertible Sedan owned by Richard Atwell of Texas

  *  1929 Duesenberg Murphy Sports Sedan owned by Bill Parfet of Michigan
  *  1927 Duesenberg Model X Speedster owned by Peter Heydon of Michigan

  The Duesenberg Cup

To honor this distinguished gathering of Duesenbergs, a commemorative award has been created. The Duesenberg Cup, sponsored by the Kelly Services, Inc. Foundation, is intended to capture the significance and prestige of this remarkable gathering of vehicles. The Grand Trophy Cup will be inscribed with the Duesenberg owners' names and car plates. A smaller-scale version of the cup will be presented to each Duesenberg owner.

Ford and Buick Celebrate Centennials

Automotive milestones commemorating a century of automobile manufacturing will be honored at the 2003 Meadow Brook Concours. Ford Motor Company's centennial will be honored by a display of vehicles that span the beginning of automotive history through later-era production cars including a 1896 Quadracycle, a 1907 Model K, an Edsel and pre- and post-war era Lincolns.

Buick, which is also marking its centennial, will feature both production and concept cars including the Wildcat II and a 1953 Buick known as the Howard Hughes Special Sedan from a private collection.