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The Misselwood Concours d’Elegance is an American classic car and motorcycle event, that takes place on the last weekend in July at the Misselwood Estate, in Beverly, Massachusetts, and has been referred to as one of the most scenic classic car events on the East Coast and New England region. The event is a fundraiser for scholarship funds for Endicott College. A Concours d’Elegance (from French meaning a competition of elegance, lit. "concourse of elegance", referring to the gathering of prestigious cars) dates back to 17th Century French aristocracy, who paraded horse-drawn carriages in the parks of Paris during summer weekends and holidays.
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As such, the Misselwood Concours brings homage to the traditional concours parades, by combining high-end fashion, art, classic automobiles, and for one weekend, turning it into the classic car hub of New England by showcasing some of the most beautiful old cars in the world.
History
Founded in 2009 by Patrick Cornelissen, the inaugural event took place in the summer of 2010 as the North shore Concours d’Elegance, and attracted 1,000 spectators and around 65 concours cars. Nowadays, the Misselwood Concours d’Elegance draws spectators and automobiles from all over the United States.
For the 2011 edition, the show moved to its current fixed date of the last weekend in July and saw over 2,000 people visiting. That year the show also added a non-judged collector field, in addition to the established concours field.
After the 2012 edition, the show was renamed Misselwood Concours d’Elegance as homage to the extraordinary oceanfront property once owned by Susan B. Cabot., a Boston Brahmin – one of the “first families of Boston”. Already established as a premier event location, the Misselwood Estate forms the ideal backdrop and is set in a historic and scenic region.
In 2012 a partnership was formed with the Essex National Heritage Commission to help support a Tour d'Elegance, which takes place on the Saturday preceding the Concours d'Elegance. Following the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, the tour lets drivers explore the winding roads of Cape Ann, starting in Newburyport and ending at the Misselwood Estate.
Shifting to a full weekend of events, a Tour d’Elegance, similar to the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance and the Road Tour organized at the Amelia Island Concours was added in 2013. The inaugural event sold out in record time and featured 80 vehicles, including a 1908 Stanley Model K from the Owls Head Transportation Museum, although a broken linkage rod ended the tour early for the caretakers.
2013 also welcomed record crowds and the concours field expanded considerably, opening up an extra show field next to its home at the Misselwood Estate. As only one of two concours shows in the New England region, the Misselwood Concours provides an opportunity for the New England automobile community to congregate and showcase their exceptional vehicles.
Location
Located alongside the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, on what was once known as Boston’s Gold Coast, the Misselwood Estate's 4.5 acre property sits on a small neck with unobstructed views of Salem and Marblehead where in the summer months, dozens of sail boats compete in the multiple regattas organized by local yacht clubs.
Manchester-by-the-Sea, can be found a short drive from the Misselwood Estate. For many years, the town was referred to as "a playground for millionaires”, and was always a favorite of the diplomatic community. In 1904 alone, 11 ambassadors summered in town and President W.H. Taft frequently played golf at the local Essex County Club. Endicott College, owner of the Misselwood Estate, and founded in 1939. boasts a variety of historical buildings, with ties to the early days of transportation. Alhambra, the oldest building on campus, built in 1750 by Thomas Woodbury, housed a tavern used as a stage coach stop between Salem and Gloucester during the 18th and 19th centuries. Later it was part of the William Amory Gardner estate, and Isabella Stewart Gardner used it as a summer home until 1906. Another example is the Reynolds Estate, which was originally owned by Herbert Mason Sears, a successful Boston banker, realtor, investor, philanthropist, and avid sailor. A staff of 30 people maintained the property and grounds that included one of the most beautiful formal gardens in the area.
Awards
Since its inception, the head judging has been done by Bob DeSantis and Rick Beecoff who both had experience with the Castle Hill Concours and are regularly invited to judge at other shows.
Both automobiles and motorcycles compete for various class awards, yet ultimately compete for the coveted Ervin “Bud” Lyon III Best of Show award, named after the famed Ervin F. Lyon (1935-2012), an electrical engineer and one of the founders of the American Power Conversion Corporation. Bud Lyon was also a world-class car enthusiast and collector and co-founder of the Lyon-Waugh Auto Group. In 2010 Bud's Book,, authored by famed “Dean of Automobiles” David E. Davis was published as ode to the many cars he collected and the rich life he lived. The Lyons were Pebble Beach stalwarts, and have bettered countless car shows and drive events by bringing any of their fine automobiles there.
Ervin “Bud” F. Lyon Best of Show Awards were awarded due to their historical significance and impecable condition. In 2010, the award went to a 1931 Packard 840 Dietrich convertible sedan was originally built for King Gustav V of Sweden. Once showcased at the America's Packard Museum, this royal blue and chrome adorned Packard still features a privacy window separating the front and rear and the king’s crest painted below the window.
In 2011, the Best of Show award was given to an exquisite 1932 Duesenberg SJ Dual Cowl Phaeton; only 32 SJ models were ever made worldwide and this particular vehicle was the personal car of manufacturer Fred Duesenberg. A 1948 Delahaye 135M Figoni et Falaschi took home the top award in 2012. Combining luxurious appointments and race-winning engineering, the Delahaye 135 was one of the most desirable French cars from its time. Coach builders such as Figoni et Falaschi, Henri Chapron, Franay, Letourner & Marchand, and Guillore all had their turn at building an image for the Delahaye name. Best in Show for 2013 went to a stunning Cadillac 456A from 1931, owned by Charlie and Cheryl Eggert of Morristown, N.J. In 2014, the top-honors were given to a 1914 Locomobile Model 48 Berline, owned by Bill Alley. Alley is a former Olympian and a retired mechanical engineer and committed to the preservation and history of the early automobile.