This exotic Mosler M900 will be shown in the Supercar Class for the first time at the 2010 Salisbury Concours d’Elegance Sunday, September 12 at the beautiful Salisbury House.

SUPERCARS, defined as “ultra-high-end automobiles with superior performance and exotic design”, are identified with famous nameplates such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini. These automobiles in addition to Maserati, Mosler, and De Tomaso will be presented this year in a feature Salisbury Concours d’Elegance Supercar Class.

This class has been described more simply as “a very expensive, fast and powerful car”. These fine automobiles are very fast, with sporting handling to match, sleek and eye-catching, and its price “in a rarefied atmosphere of its own”.

The Supercar can take many forms including limited production specials from elite automakers, standard-looking cars made by mainstream companies with massive power and performance subtly hidden from view, as well as models that appeal to hardcore enthusiasts from manufacturers on the fringe of the car industry.

FIRST TIME SHOWING: This will be the first time these exotics will be presented in the beautiful and unique historic setting as a part of the Salisbury Concours d’Elegance. The 2010 Salisbury Concours d’Elegance will also feature the British and European Luxury, Sports and Racing classes, in addition to the traditional Classic and Antique Classes. Other special featured classes this year include the Cars of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Mitchell Class.

This year’s Concours will be held Sun., September 12 from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission is $15.
Students 13 thru College are $5 (with valid student I.D.). Children 12 and under are Free.

For more information, visit www.salisburyconcours.com or call 515-274-1777 ext. 1006.

Caption: This beautiful and elegant Duesenberg Model J will be presented at the 2010 Salisbury Concours d’Elegance. Built to be the biggest, fastest, most beautiful and expensive car ever built, it was driven by nobility, and the rich and famous, including the King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, Clark Gable, and Greta Garbo.

In 1913, brothers Fred and August Duesenberg founded Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Company, Inc. at 915 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa to build sports cars. Duesenberg cars were considered the very best cars of the time, were built entirely by hand and today command million dollar price tags. Prior to establishing their first car company, as did many automotive entrepreneurs of the time, they built and raced bicycles. Living in Rockford, Iowa, Fred set a world bicycle race record that stood for 14 years.

The Legendary Duesenberg Model J Comes to Des Moines On September 12, 2010, an Iowa-owned Duesenberg Model J will arrive in Des Moines to be exhibited at the annual Salisbury Concours d’Elegance. Dean Oakes of the Coralville Antique Car Museum of Iowa will present his newly restored Model J. It will be elegantly displayed in the beautiful south gardens of the Salisbury House.

A Paragon of Power and a Portent of Wealth The Model J was introduced at the New York Auto Salon on December 1, 1928, and it generated countless headlines. The effect of the Duesenberg J on America cannot be overstated. Even in the depths of the Depression, this paragon of power was a portent of prosperity.

Duesenberg advertising became a benchmark, featuring the wealthy and privileged in opulent surroundings and claiming it to be “The World’s Finest Motor Car”. In some of their printed ads, an elegant man or woman were seen together with a simple meaningful sentence: “He/She drives a Duesenberg”. It did not mention the auto’s features, and there was not even a picture of the automobile. They were so confident of their message that they did not need to show the car, and the campaign was a success.

The Biggest, Best, Fastest and Most Expensive

Adopted Iowans Fred and August Duesenberg were eventually challenged to design an automobile that should be the biggest, best, fastest, and most expensive car ever made. A large chassis was built to compete with the large, powerful, and luxurious European cars of the era, such as Hispano-Suiza, Isotta-Fraschini, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce. It took Fred 27 months to bring the Model J to fruition.

Designer Cars Buying a Duesy involved the purchase of the chassis/engine from one source while the bodyworks came from both U.S. and European coachbuilders such as Derham, Holbrook, Le Baron, Rollston, and many others. The finished cars were some of the largest, grandest, most beautiful, and most elegant cars ever created. About half the model Js built by Duesenberg had coachworks devised by the company’s chief body designer, Gordon Buehrig, later well known for his designs of the 1935 Auburn Boattail Speedster and the Cord 810/812.

The Status Symbol The Duesenberg quickly became one of the most popular luxury cars as well as a status symbol in the United States and Europe, driven by the nobility and the rich and famous, among them Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Greta Garbo, Howard Hughes, Mae West, Marion Davies, William Randolph Hearst, the Duke of Windsor, the Kings Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Alfonso XIII of Spain, and even Al Capone. It was so highly regarded and imposing that, even though some Hollywood stars did not own a Duesenberg, they posed next to the car to promote their careers.

A Racing Legend In 1914, Eddie Rickenbacker drove a “Duesy” to finish in 10th place at the Indianapolis 500, and a Duesenberg won the race in 1924, 1925, and 1927. In 1921, Jimmy Murphy became the first American to win the French Grand Prix when he drove a Duesenberg to victory at the Le Mans racetrack.

The 2010 Salisbury Concours d’Elegance will also feature the British and European Luxury, Sports and Racing classes, in addition to the traditional Classic and Antique Classes. Other special featured classes this year include the Supercar Class and the Mitchell Class and the Cars of Frank Lloyd Wright.

The 2010 Salisbury’s Cars and Designs of Frank Lloyd Wright Program

At first glance, elegant automobiles and stunning architecture appear to have little in common. Yet, some of the most breathtaking examples of each will come together on September 12th when “The Cars of Frank Lloyd Wright” gather at the Salisbury House and Gardens in Des Moines, Iowa. Wright was as discerning about the cars that he drove as he was about the designs that bore his name. His stable of automotive thoroughbreds reflected his high-society status.
Wright was recognized in 1991 by the American Institute of Architects as “the greatest American architect of all time”. Wright’s work and his passion for automobiles will be celebrated with a Salisbury sponsored Wright Art Exhibit of his Designs; and four presentations by noted Wright historians. The four presentations will be given in the elegantly restored Salisbury garages at the following times:

When and Where This year’s Concours will be held Sunday, September 12, 2010 from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission is $15 (including admission to all four FLW presentations and the FLW Art Exhibit) with students 13 thru College $5 and children 12 and Under free. For more information, contact Angela Kolbet, Marketing and Public Programs Director, Salisbury House and Gardens 4025 Tonawanda Drive, Des Moines, IA 50312 at akolbet@salisburyhouse.org 515-274-1777 or visit www.salisburyconcours.com.

Elegant, beautiful and very rare Mitchells, representing their early, middle, and late production years, from around the country and Canada will be presented and judged at the Concours. Company founder Henry Mitchell’s great, great grandson Lewis Miller will have his 1906 and 191 Mitchell cars entered in the judged class

This delightful and sporty 1911 three-passenger Mitchell, to be presented at the 2010 Salisbury Concours d’Elegance in Des Moines, Iowa is owned by the great, great, grandson of the company founder. Vestiges of horse-drawn carriages can be quickly observed in the open design, bucket seating and spoke wheels—of this early Mitchell “Horseless Carriage”. Photo: Bill Dikis

SNAPSHOT OF A SUCCESFUL EARLY 1900’S CAR MANUFACTURER

In 1903, the same year Henry Ford started the Ford Motor Company, Henry Mitchell began transitioning his successful wagon, bicycle, and motorcycle manufacturing company into the Mitchell Motor Car Company of Racine, Wisconsin. It was a banner year for a company whose fortunes had grown handsomely since its earliest days. Production of the Mitchell car rose steadily from 82 cars in 1904, to 1,377 in 1907, and 5,614 in 1910. The success of the company during its early years was largely due to its racing endeavors. From 1907 to 1911, Mitchell automobiles were successfully raced in local and national competitions and endurance runs. 1910 also saw the introduction of the company’s first six cylinder automobile, with cylinders cast in pairs. In 1914 the Mitchell Touring car had a 600-cubic-inch, six-cylinder engine that produced 50 horsepower. The car sold for $1,850, which would be equivalent to more than $33,000 today.

THE MITCHELL GOAT WAGON

The Mitchell Motor Car Company had its origins in 1834. At that time it was known as the Mitchell and Lewis Company, and by 1877 was one of the largest and best-equipped wagon makers in the country. The company had 7,200 employees and made more than 8,000 wagons a year, exported all over the world. One of their more interesting wagons, the Goat Wagon, will be on display with the Mitchell Cars. The Goat Wagon is light enough to be pulled by goats or large dogs and offered hours of fun for children of the era.

THE UNIQUELY-OPTIONED MITCHELL “BLOOMER OPTIONED BICYCLE”

The Company also made bicycles and motorcycles in the late 1800s and early 1900s. One of their earliest bicycles will also be on display. The bicycle is a fully optioned model, with a special device to prevent bloomers worn by a female passenger from becoming entangled with the chain.
Mitchell continued to manufacture automobiles in Racine until 1923. Nash Motors of Kenosha (later American Motors) bought the Mitchell – Lewis plant in 1923 and used it to produce a number of models like the Ajax, Nash Light Six and, in 1937, the LaFayette.

This beautiful 1906 Mitchell, in addition to a late 1800 Mitchell Goat Wagon and Mitchell Bicycle, is owned by the great, great grandson of the company founder and will be presented in the historic gardens and grounds of the Salisbury House for judging in the Mitchell Class at the 2010 Salisbury Concours d’Elegance.

JUDGING OF THE MITCHELLS

Ten to twelve additional Mitchell’s are expected in this class and will be presented to the Concours’ judges for careful inspection and selection of the most beautifully presented Mitchell. Attendees will also have the opportunity to judge the Mitchells for the coveted “People’s Choice” award.

The 2010 Salisbury Concours d’Elegance will also feature the British and European Luxury, Sports and Racing classes, in addition to the traditional Classic and Antique Classes. Other special featured classes this year include the Cars of Frank Lloyd Wright the Supercar Class and the 50th Anniversary of the Early Compacts.

This year’s Concours will be held Sunday, September 12 from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission is $15 with students 13 thru College $5, and children 12 and Under free. For more information go to www.salisburyconcours.com or call 515-274-1777.

Wright, one of the most influential architects of the 20th Century, was as discerning about the cars that carried him as he was about the blueprints that bore his name. His stable of automotive thoroughbreds reflected his appreciation of quality design. Today, similar examples sell for a million dollars and more.

On the other hand, Wright put his architectural apprentices behind the wheels of America’s less expensive “orphan babies,” America’s forgotten economy cars.

Fine examples of both will be features of the 2010 Salisbury Concours d’Elegance, regarded as Iowa’s most prestigious annual automobile display.

This L29 Cord, an early front wheel drive car introduced in 1929, will be presented in “The Cars of Frank Lloyd Wright Class” at the 2010 Salisbury Concours d’Elegance. Wright, who owned an L29, described his interest and ownership experience as follows: “I believe the principle of the front drive to be logical and scientific, therefore, inevitable for all cars. The proportion and lines of the Cord come nearer to expressing the beauty of both science and logic than any car I have ever seen.” Credit: 1932 Cord L-29 courtesy of Nancy Friday

The Cars of Frank Lloyd Wright

Twice each year between the late 1930s and 1950s, the old master led his young prodigies on semi-annual treks between Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin and Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona. Wright traveled in the comfort of an opulent classic. His favorites included the front-wheel-drive 1929 Cord L29 and the first Lincoln Continentals of 1940. Wright’s apprentices followed in their miniature Bantam and Crosley roadsters.

Most of Wright’s automotive fleet has been lost to time. But the same makes and models will be highlighted in the elegant courtyard and restored garage of the palatial Salisbury House. In addition, the lawn and gardens will be filled with more than 100 valuable vintage classics. Each car has been individually selected for its superior styling, innovative engineering, and/or relative scarcity. Classes include British and European Luxury, Sports and Racing, Classic and Antique, Supercars, Early Economy Cars and a special class for Mitchell-brand automobiles.

Frank Lloyd Wright, who owned a Mercedes 300 SL, was commissioned to design the Max Hoffman Mercedes dealership showroom on Park Avenue in New York City. The building incorporated an unusual spiral design. The 1956 Mercedes 300 SL to be presented at the 2010 Salisbury Concours is owned by Cooper Weeks, the great grandson of Carl Weeks, the man responsible for building the palatial Salisbury House and Gardens, a featured home in the A&E Channel’s program “Americas Greatest Castles.” Credit: 1956 Mercedes 300 SL courtesy of Cooper Weeks

The Art of Frank Lloyd Wright

No Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit would be complete without examples of his architectural drawings. Additional presentations will feature Wright’s architectural genius.

The John E. Christian House — a Wright-designed home in West Lafayette, Indiana — is home to a collection of Wright memorabilia including the superb Japanese portfolio of reproduction renderings covering the span of his career. A portion of the home’s collection has been loaned exclusively to the Salisbury House for this event. Selected prints include “The Automobile Objective and Planetarium” (a spiral design idea that evolved into New York City’s iconic Guggenheim Museum) as well as drawings of Fallingwater (Wright’s most stunning private home) and the Historic Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank.

Presentations about Frank Lloyd Wright will be offered beginning at 1:00 p.m. Noted automotive author and collector, Robert D. Cunningham, will share details about Wright’s lifelong love affair with the automobile. Other talks will include “Living in a Frank Lloyd Wright Home” and “The Restoration and 100th Anniversary of the Historic Park Inn Hotel & City National Bank.” The landmark inn was completed in 1910 and is the only remaining hotel designed by Wright. One lucky couple attending the Salisbury Concours d’Elegance will win a 2011 weekend stay in this boutique hotel, located in Mason City, Iowa. Raffle tickets will be for sale on the grounds.

The 2010 Salisbury Concours d’Elegance will take place on Sunday, September 12th, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission: $15; Students age 13 through college: $5; Children 12 and under: free. For more information about the event, visit www.salisburyconcours.com or call 515-274-1777.

* Use of the publicity rights of the name Frank Lloyd Wright is with the permission of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona. Additional information about Frank Lloyd Wright can be seen on the Foundation’s website: www.franklloydwright.org