Detroit Concours D'elegance 2023 by Hagerty

That is unfortunate and really too bad about what the show has devolved into. For 100 + years it was cars, then for 75+ years it was rock/ rock n' roll. Together, they were American (and world wide) magic for guys and gals l

Honestly Chav I was blown away by your pics and the variety and unique qualities of the cars. I can only imagine what the show must have been like 3+ years ago. That Couger is beautiful, would love to find the kit. Cant say I've ever seen one. Thanks for posting

Posted by: @geoff-jowett

Honestly Chav I was blown away by your pics and the variety and unique qualities of the cars. I can only imagine what the show must have been like 3+ years ago. That Couger is beautiful, would love to find the kit. Cant say I've ever seen one. Thanks for posting

Read 2 articles about the transition of the St. John Concours to Detroit Concours and how the urban setting was chosen by Hagerty. Apparently the previous organizers had difficulty with sponsors and meeting the ends, St. John golf course also decided to sell large portion of its land for development and hence ended its relationship with Concours D'elegance. Apparently Hagerty was facing many challenges and risks but wanted to invite more younger audience. Well, they probably succeeded changing the visitors ratio towards more millennials, however not by attracting more of them but by turning away the older generations. They probably had to cut a lot of expenses, but now the event is just cheap ... The location of the event is challenging but the timing of the event was awful. University of Michigan football games are huge deal in the area, there was a game yesterday, and while driving from Ann Arbor to Detroit all the traffic was in the opposite direction. While Concours D'elegance could barely attract few thousand visitors, a Michigan game brings 100 K to fill the largest stadium in the US.

....I read that in Michigan yesterday, THE GRATIOT CRUISE was held...sort of a downsized but still huge & popular version of the legendary WOODWARD DREAM CRUISE. Also, the Detroit International Auto Show is currently taking place (it can be viewed on YT ).  I got to imagine these events also impacted the Detroit Concourse D'elegance.

@chris probably, the Detroit auto show spans over several days, I always felt the audience for the concours and the auto show is somewhat different. I personally rarely go to the DAS. The Michigan game is like 40 miles away from Detroit but it drags so many people from the suburbs towards Ann Arbor, and the 2 events: the game and the concours overlapped at the exact same time. I don’t know … personally after 3 years of disappointment, it’s unlikely I would go next year.

Posted by: @chav

I always felt the audience for the concours and the auto show is somewhat different.

I agree a completely, some overlap for sure but not much. Of course, now, even the DAS has been watered-down  considerably and the best, IMO, Concours shows were at Meadow Brook Hall.

A great display...Love the Studebakers!

Thanks for sharing!.