Luxury Guide

The Salisbury Concours d'Elegance

The Salisbury House was pleased to announce that, on the occasion of its Tenth Annual Event in 2009, the well known Salisbury Automobile Classic became the Salisbury Concours d'Elegance. The 2010 Salisbury Concours d'Elegance will be presented on Sunday, September 12 from 11:00-5:00. Price is $15.00, students 13 thru college are $5, Children 12 & Under are Free A Concours d'Elegance is defined as a public exhibition and competition of classic vehicles judged chiefly on the basis of elegance and beauty. The Salisbury Concours d'Elegance will celebrate the fine art and design of collectable automobiles, consistent with the elegance and beauty of the Salisbury House and Gardens and its rare art and book collections. The second Concours d'Elegance to be presented in Iowa will include classic era automobiles (sometimes referred to as "rolling sculpture"), as well as vehicles representing other periods of design excellence. Teams of judges will evaluate the vehicles for their elegance and presentation. The judging teams will examine each automobile, interview its owner, and determine winners for each of the classes. Classic Packards, Cadillacs, Lincolns, Rolls Royce, Auburns, Cords, Duesenbergs, and Pierce-Arrows appear alongside other automobiles, including antiques, post-war and modern era vehicles introduced as recently as 1968. A special recognition of the art and design trends of the "British and European Sports and Racing Cars" will be presented and contrasted with the functionality and technology of a modern "Supercars" class as well as The Cars of Frank Lloyd Wright, British and European Luxury Automobiles, Mitchell Class and Early Compact Cars. The event includes a self-guided tour of Salisbury House, with refreshments and food available throughout the day for a nominal fee. All proceeds from the Salisbury Concours d'Elegance benefit the educational programs and restoration work of the Salisbury House Foundation. Directions: Salisbury House is located three miles west of downtown Des Moines, IA. Exit I-235 at 42nd Street. South to Tonawanda Drive; left on Tonawanda for one block.