World-Class Cars to Appear at Concours d'Elegance at Cranbrook

Best-ever field of cars and motorcycles expected in third year of local automotive heritage event

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., June 15 -- The third annual Concours d'Elegance at Cranbrook, for which General Motors is the presenting sponsor, already has its best-ever entry of historically significant cars and motorcycles for the event which takes place at Cranbrook on Sunday, July 24.

ADVERTISEMENT "The diversity of the brands that will be on show is remarkable," said Marvin Towns Jr., President, CEO, Concours d'Elegance at Cranbrook. "Awe- inspiring luxury cars from marques such as Cadillac, Bentley, Bugatti, Horch, Rolls-Royce, Packard and Hispano-Suiza will vie for attention with high- performance Corvettes, Alfa Romeos, Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis.

"Local entries from SE Michigan -- this is Motor City after all -- are particularly strong. But we also have vehicles coming from 22 states and from eight foreign countries," Towns added.

One of the stars of the entire show is sure to be the 1907 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost "AX-201." Viewed by many automotive and business experts as the world's most valuable car, this is the original Silver Ghost (so named for its color and quiet ride) and is being transported by airplane from England exclusively for the Cranbrook Concours by owner Bentley Motors Ltd. of the United Kingdom.

Also sure to draw great interest will be the stunning 1938 Dubonnet Xenia aerodynamic coupe entered by well-known California collector Peter Mullin. Custom-bodied by the great French coachbuilder Jacques Saoutchik for Andre Dubonnet, heir to the French aperitifs fortune, the streamlined avant-garde car is unique among cars. Highlights of the design include sweeping batwing rear fenders, a parallel-opening door system, removable roof panel and an aviation-themed interior.

Other notable entries include:

* A 1929 Duesenberg wood-bodied speedster

* A 1935 Mercedes 500K cabriolet

* A series of spectacular race cars that have run in the famous Mille Miglia (1000 Mile) road race in Italy, including a 1930 Alfa Romeo 1500 Testa Fissa, winner of its class in 1934

* A rare 1935 Amilcar Pegase roadster entered by well-known Connecticut collector Malcolm Pray

* A 1964 Bentley Flying Spur saloon (luxury sedan renowned for its beautiful styling)

* A 1928 Hispano-Suiza H6B cabriolet by Henri Chapron

* An exceptional collection of Bugattis, including a 1936 T57 Cabriolet by Graber being exhibited by the daughter-in-law of the original purchaser of the car, and a 1928 Bugatti T35B grand prix race car (entered by Dr. Peter Williamson from New Hampshire, winner of Best of Show at the 2004 Cranbrook Concours)

* A 1931 Chrysler Imperial CG dual cowl phaeton

* The famous 1914 Rolls-Royce wood-bodied roadster, entered by Hon. Joseph C. Cassini, III (Judge Cassini won Best of Show at last year's famous Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance)

* A 1934 Voisin aerodynamic roadster by Figoni & Falaschi

* A 1939 Delahaye V-12 165 convertible coupe by Figoni & Falaschi, built as the display car for France at the New York World's Fair 1939-1940

* The 1953 EX-122 GM Motorama concept car (the very "first" Chevrolet Corvette)

* A magnificent 1938 Horch 853 phaeton

* A 1959 Cadillac Broadmoor Limousine by Superior, which was custom-built with plexiglas roof panels for Colorado Springs' luxurious Broadmoor Hotel

* A 2006 Spyker 600 horsepower supercar from the Netherlands

* And a legendary Porsche 917/10 Can Am race car from the Brumos Collection, plus a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT supercar.

Among the classes at Cranbrook will be: Wood-Bodied Cars, Auburn-Cord- Duesenberg, Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari - The First Twenty Years, Supercars, The Four Rings - Cars of Auto Union, American Classics, European Classics, American Race Cars, European Race Cars, Sports Cars, Concept Cars, Antique/Brass Era Cars and Antique Fire Engines.

"There will be something to inspire any automotive enthusiast at this year's Concours d'Elegance at Cranbrook," Towns said. "For those whose interest is the magnificence of the Twenties and Thirties, we promise a feast for their eyes. But for those who more closely identify with post-World War II, we provide a show that highlights the speed of Ferrari, the elegance of Bentley, the power of American muscle cars and the awe of Can-Am race cars.

"For the automotive buff or student, I can't imagine a better day out this July," Towns added.

The third annual Concours d'Elegance at Cranbrook takes place July 22-24 in the surroundings of the beautiful campus of the Cranbrook Educational Community in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. As well as the main event on Sunday, the weekend also includes activities such as a car film screening for automotive enthusiasts, a classic car tour on Saturday, judging of model cars customized by metro Detroit middle-school students in the Junior Concours and a festive Saturday night of fine dining at the Cars Under The Stars Charity Gala at the GM Heritage Center.

Proceeds from the weekend benefit three local charities: Michigan Humane Society; the Variety FAR Conservatory of Therapeutic and Performing Arts; and the Women's Survival Center of Oakland County.