Category: Uncategorized

On Sunday, September 7^th at the 25^th Anniversary of the Des Moines Concours, the Iowa Automotive Heritage Foundation was happy to award 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place awards to 33 proud owners. Best of Show was awarded to Jeff and Becca Schreiner of Mondovi, Wisconsin for their gorgeous 1933 Rolls Royce Phantom II, pictured here.

We want to thank all our exhibitors who came from all over the Midwest for participating in this year’s exhibition. We also want to thank all our generous sponsors because without them, we would not be able to hold such an impressive event. The 2025 Des Moines Concours set attendance records and we’re hoping to see even more next year for the 2026 Des Moines Concours tentatively set for Sunday, September 13. Proceeds from the Des Moines Concours benefit Children’s Cancer Connection. We take donations year round on our Donate page. Thank you for your generosity.

Photos of all of the winners will be posted soon on the Gallery page. Here is the list as they were presented:

1. Exotics
   3^rd– 2011 Lotus Elise SC owned by Joseph and Tammy Bechen of Urbandale, Iowa
   2^nd– 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage owned by Jonathan Austin of Des Moines, Iowa
   1^st– 1974 De Tomaso Pantera owned by Robert Richards of Clear Lake, Iowa
2. American Muscle
   3^rd– 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda owned by Gary Warnsholz of Redfield, Iowa
   2^nd– 1967 Pontiac GTO owned by Reggie Kopecky of Farnhamville, Iowa
   1^st– 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle owned by Rory Welcher of Elkhart, Iowa
3. Preservation
   3^rd– 1963 Cadillac De Ville Park Avenue owned by David Erickson of Des Moines, Iowa
   2^nd – 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible owned by Jerry and Melinda Collins of Clive, Iowa
   1^st– 1971 Continental MK III owned by Humberto Garcia of Carpentersville, Illinois
4. Space Age
   3^rd– 1968 Buick Riviera GS owned by James Vesely of Verona, Wisconsin
   2^nd– 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente convertible owned by Jon Vernon of Indianola, Iowa
   1^st– 1963 Buick Wildcat owned by Steve Whitaker of Des Moines, Iowa
5. Atomic Age
   3^rd– 1951 Muntz Jet owned by Ted Muntz of Stillwater, Minnesota
   2^nd– 1955 Studebaker President Speedster owned by Harold and Deanna Manley of Newton, IA
   1^st– 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air sport coupe owned by Brian & Robin Ische of Beloit, Wisconsin
6. Early Collectibles
   3^rd– 1929 Ford Model A 150 Depot Hack owned by Ryan Derby of Grimes, Iowa
   2^nd– 1929 Ford Fordor owned by Timothy and Margie Salazar of West Des moines, Iowa
   1^st– 1937 Buick 66C Century Convertible Coupe owned by Jon Mathisrud of Mendota Heights, Minnesota
7. Motorcycles
   3^rd– 1947 Indian Chief owned by Jim Costanzo of Saint Charles, Iowa
   2^nd– 1922 Harley Davidson JD owned by John Arth of Elk River, Minnesota
   1^st– 1972 Yamaha R5C owned by Edward Kunath of Waterloo, Iowa
8. Antiques
   3^rd– 1911 Ford Model T owned by John and Karen Goedeken of Palo, Iowa
   2^nd– 1916 Cadillac Series 51 7 Passenger Touring owned by Andy Flagge of Mason City, Iowa
   1^st– 1907 Brasier owned by Ned Protexter of Spirit Lake, Iowa
9. American Pickups
   3^rd– 1951 Chevrolet 3800 1 ton 9-foot bed owned by Timothy Prohaska of Altoona, Iowa
   2^nd– 1937 REO Speed Delivery Pickup 650L owned by Ron & Nancy Muecke of Sheridan, Wyoming
   1^st– 1957 Chevrolet 3100 1/2 ton pickup owned by Darrell Mestdagh of West Des Moines, Iowa
10. Chrysler 100th
    3^rd– 1935 Chrysler Airflow C-2 Imperial Coupe owned by Russ Bees of Indianola, Iowa
    2^nd– 1956 Dodge Lafemme owned by Scott and Hope Miller of Mitchell, Nebraska
    1^st– 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Gran Coupe owned by William & Cheryl Cox Cox of Ottumwa, Iowa
11. Classics
    3^rd– 1930 Franklin 147 owned by Wayne Scherer of Milan, Illinois
    2^nd– 1932 Auburn 12-160A owned by Jan Brewer of Davenport, Iowa
    1^st– 1933 Rolls Royce Phantom II owned by Jeff and Becca Schreiner of Mondovi, Wisconsin
12. Best of Show
    1933 Rolls Royce Phantom II owned by Jeff and Becca Schreiner of Mondovi, Wisconsin

CCC Youth Judging Awards

3^rd place: 1957 Jeep Willys Pickup owned by Steve Skold of West Des Moines, IA
2^nd place: 1974 De Tomaso Pantera owned by Robert Richards of Clear Lake, IA
1^st place: 1957 Ford Thunderbird owned by Troy McGill of Ankeny, IA

The Des Moines Concours d’Elegance to benefit Children’s Cancer Connection awarded Best of Show to a 1934 DeSoto Airflow Coupe on Sunday, September 12, 2021. The car led a field of more than 130 vehicles that included a 1939 Jaguar SS100, an ultra-rare 1953 Maverick Sportster and Iowa State University’s Eliana Solar Car.

The DeSoto Airflow is owned by Fred and Renee Mehr of Cold Spring, Minnesota. The owners recently completed the restoration of this revolutionary car, which owes its aerodynamic grille and sloped roofline to input from Orville Wright and wind tunnel testing. The split windshield allowed for better air flow for both driver and passenger and the rear passenger seats were placed between the axles for a smoother ride.

A full list of winners can be found below.

The Des Moines Concours benefits Children’s Cancer Connection, which connects families facing childhood cancer by providing programs for education, recreation and support. Awards at this year’s Concours were presented by kids involved in Children’s Cancer Connection. In the last six years, the Des Moines Concours has provided more than $100,000 to the organization.

Full List of Class Winners

Best of Show

• 1934 DeSoto Airflow Coupe owned by Fred Mehr of Cold Spring, Minnesota

Hagerty Youth Judging Award

• 1967 Continental 4-Door Convertible owned by Todd Magel of Clive, Iowa

Corvair 60th Anniversary

1. 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Yenko Stinger owned by David Wetsch of Van Meter, Iowa
2. 1966 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa Convertible owned by Jim Marmon of Urbandale, Iowa
3. 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Convertible owned by Dennis Holloway of Marion, Iowa

Ford Flathead V8

1. 1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan owned by Ken Waller of Johnston, Iowa
2. 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe owned by O.J. Tomson of Mason City, Iowa
3. 1935 Ford Phaeton owned by David Johnson of Granger, Iowa

Jaguar

1. 1953 Jaguar XK 120 FHC owned by Russ & Marj Bees of Indianola, Iowa
2. 1939 Jaguar SS100 owned by Dennis Holloway of Marion, Iowa
3. 2009 Jaguar XKR Portfolio owned by Lon Smallridge

Classics

1. 1939 BMW 327/8 Cabriolet owned by Tom Chandler of Elkader, Iowa
2. 1934 Packard 1107 5-Passenger Coupe owned by Don & Marlene Ohnstad of Valley, Nebraska
3. 1939 Buick Series 90 Limited owned by Larry Brownfield of Des Moines, Iowa

Antiques

1. 1923 Brewster Model O2 Town Car owned by Mark Desch of Stillwater, Minnesota
2. 1916 Cadillac Type 53 owned by Andy Flagge of Mason City, Iowa
3. 1910 Sears Model K owned by Don Pauley of Clear Lake, Iowa

Early Collectibles

1. 1934 DeSoto Airflow Coupe owned by Fred Mehr of Cold Spring, Minnesota
2. 1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe 2 Door Sedan owned by Tom Allen of Altoona, Iowa
3. 1940 Chrysler Traveler owned by John Bolen of Runnells, Iowa

Atomic Age Collectibles

1. 1957 Chrysler 300C owned by Randy Guyer of Minnetonka, Minnesota
2. 1950 Crosley CD Super Station Wagon owned by Randy & Becky Hall of Kentland, Indiana
3. 1957 Mercury Montclair owned by Dean Bibler of Johnston, Iowa

Space Age Collectibles

1. 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 owned by Eric Magayne of Marion, Iowa
2. 1964 Chevrolet Corvette owned by Steve & Tracy Simbides of Marshalltown, Iowa
3. 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner owned by Loren Necker of Sumner, Iowa

American Muscle Cars

1. 1964 Dodge Polara owned by Mike McCabe of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
2. 1969 Plymouth GTX owned by Jim Muller of Saint George, Kansas
3. 1971 Plymouth Road Runner owned by Roger Auderer

Exotics

1. 2020 Ford GT owned by Jared Elder of Des Moines, Iowa
2. 1973 De Tomaso Pantera GTS owned by Tom Shinrock of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
3. 2018 Porsche 911 GT2RS owned by Stephen Grubb of West Des Moines, Iowa

Preservation

1. 1955 Chrysler Imperial owned by Tony Caponigro of Ankeny, Iowa
2. 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sports Coupe owned by Jon Mathisrud of Mendota Heights, Minnesota
3. 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible owned by Jerald & Melinda Collins of Clive, Iowa

Each award was presented by a child representing Children’s Cancer Connection.

About Des Moines Concours and Children’s Cancer Connection

The Des Moines Concours™ is a premier automotive exhibition held at the internationally recognized John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in downtown Des Moines. The Concours presents an invitation-only exhibition of more than 160 vintage and classic motor vehicles, selected to celebrate the fine art, design evolution and amazing innovations of motor vehicles through the years, as well as the talented designers and engineers who created them. The event is free to the public.

Proceeds from the Des Moines Concours d’Elegance benefit Children’s Cancer Connection that connects families facing childhood cancer by providing programs for education, recreation and support.

The Des Moines Concours d’Elegance to benefit Children’s Cancer Connection is an auto exhibition like no other in the area. All cars being exhibited are in the same, if not better, condition as when they left the factory. The best examples, most from within Iowa, are brought together for the public to not only enjoy their aesthetics, but also learn of their historical and technical significance. The automobiles on display come from every era starting from the early 1900s, through the design, engineering and social changes of the decades, up to the present. This year’s Featured Classes will be the 60th anniversary of the Chevrolet Corvair, and the 60th anniversary of the Jaguar E-Type. We are also featuring Ford and Mercury vehicles with the famous Flathead V8 engine.

One of the earliest cars scheduled to appear is a 1910 Sears Model K. In fact, this car could be ordered from the Sears catalog, delivered to the local train station, and assembled by the owner to drive home.

Early Ford examples include a couple from 1932. These later became popular with hot rodders in 1950s, and were dubbed “Deuces”. The Beach Boys’ classic “Little Deuce Coupe” is a musical tour of one such car.

From the 1960s, two contrast cars are highlighted. The Jaguar E-Type was called “the most beautiful care ever made” by Enzo Ferrari. That’s high praise from the head of one the most iconic makers of cars. Chevrolet’s Corvair (a combination of the names “Corvette” and “Bel Air”) was a rear-engine compact car that sold over 1.8 million units in the 1960s. Ralph Nader’s book “Unsafe At Any Speed” leveled dubious claims against the rear-engine Corvairs, as well as much of the automotive industry.

When the Concours wraps up at 4 p.m., the popular “Roar at Four” gives attendees the rare chance to see and hear these beautiful cars as they take off from the show. It’s a great time to get your cell phone and record your favorite supercar start up and roll out.

Awards are given to the top three cars from each class of automobile. The judging of the cars focuses on the presentation of and the story behind the cars more than technical merit.

Free To The Public

The 2021 Des Moines Concours will be held on Sunday, September 12, 2021 around the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in downtown Des Moines from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The show is free to the public to attend and provides a great family environment. Food trucks and other vendors will be available during the show.

Donations can be made at https://www.desmoinesconcours.com/donate/.

Saturday Driving Tour

On Saturday, September 11, 2021, the Heartland Driving Tour will include a morning drive through Madison and Warren Counties in central Iowa. The 150+ mile route, known by one car club as “Mad Warren”, ambles through rolling hills of woods and farmland, past towns and parks.

The cost for the 2021 Heartland Driving Tour is $35 per person. Additional donations to the Iowa Automotive Heritage Foundation are appreciated. Donations are tax deductible, with proceeds going to Children’s Cancer Connection. Register at https://desmoinesconcours.com/register/.

About Des Moines Concours and Iowa Automotive Heritage Foundation

The Des Moines Concours™ is a premier automotive exhibition held at the internationally recognized John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in downtown Des Moines. The Concours presents an invitation-only exhibition of more than 130 vintage and classic motor vehicles, selected to celebrate the fine art, design evolution and amazing innovations of motor vehicles through the years, as well as the talented designers and engineers who created them. The event is free to the public.

The Iowa Automotive Heritage Foundation enhances and promotes the automotive heritage of Iowa and the nation. These goals are accomplished through educational projects and public awareness programs that celebrate automotive art and design and highlight the social and economic benefits of our automotive heritage. As part of our educational and charitable mission, the Foundation also seeks to raise awareness and financial support for selected community charitable organizations working to address present day social needs in Central Iowa.

About Children’s Cancer Connection

Proceeds from the Des Moines Concours d’Elegance benefit Children’s Cancer Connection. Children’s Cancer Connection connects families facing childhood cancer by providing programs for education, recreation and support. Awards at this year’s Concours will be presented by kids involved in Children’s Cancer Connection. The Des Moines Concours has provided more than $100,000 to the organization.

Donate Here

Can’t attend or want to to help support Children’s Cancer Connection? Donate at https://desmoinesconcours.com/donate/.

The Iowa Automotive Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce our classes for the 2021 Des Moines Concours to benefit Children’s Cancer Connection. The event is scheduled for September 11th and 12th, 2021. The Heartland Driving Tour will take place on Saturday, September 11th on a route to be determined. The Concours will be held Sunday, September 12th in downtown Des Moines around the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden.

This year’s classes include our annual classes and three special classes.

• Antiques – Vehicles produced from the beginning of motor vehicles through 1927
• Early Collectibles – A broad range of cars and trucks produced between 1928 and 1942
• Atomic Age Collectibles – Vehicles with post-war styling built between 1946 and 1957
• Space Age Collectibles – Tailfins, loads of chrome, striking lights, and sleek body designs from 1958 to 1969
• Preservation – Unaltered survivors produced before 1970 with only minor updates like batteries, tires, and belts
• Classics – High-priced, low production, finely-designed automobiles produced from 1915 to 1948
• Exotics – Speed, power, and sleek, provocative designs make these cars an attraction to everyone
• American Muscle Cars – High-performance, rear-wheel drive mid- and full-size models up to 1970
• Motorcycle– Mechanical icons that influenced cultures with their design and engineering
• Chevrolet Corvair 60th Anniversary –Chevrolet Corvairs, built 1960 to 1969
• Ford Flathead V8 – Ford and Mercury vehicles manufactured between 1932 and 1953 with original Ford “Flathead V8” engines
• Jaguar – Grace. Space. Pace. The finest car of its class. Featuring the 60th Anniversary of the E-Type.

Applications to Exhibit are now being accepted by going to our Exhibiting page.

Criteria for vehicle acceptance include authenticity, condition, rarity, design, engineering and innovative features and historical merit. Please note that replicas, reproductions or modified vehicles will not be accepted. The application deadline is August 1^st, 2021. Use the online application above.

The Iowa Automotive Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce that plans are underway for the 2021 Des Moines Concours to benefit Children’s Cancer Connection. The event is scheduled for September 11th and 12th, 2021. The Heartland Driving Tour will take place on Saturday, September 11th on a route to be determined. The Concours will be held Sunday, September 12th in downtown Des Moines around the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden.

Watch for our announcement of the 2021 classes for the Des Moines Concours in the near future, along with application details for the show.

The Iowa Automotive Heritage Foundation has made the difficult decision to postpone the Des Moines Concours d’Elegance until 2021. The decision was made in light of the many variables that could affect the Concours due to COVID-19. Foundation president Peter Hemken stated, “As much as we would like to hold this year’s show, there are too many things that could derail our planning and execution. We take great pride in the high-quality experiences we offer our vehicle exhibitors, in the broad selection of vehicles available for the public to view, and to the wonderful support provided by our sponsors, partners, and the community. We felt it most prudent to postpone the Des Moines Concours until next year to mitigate any risk to the health and well-being of the public and to avoid any compromise to the quality of our show.”

The Des Moines Concours wishes to thank the many volunteer members that have continued to prepare for the show, and to the great response from the collector community.

The Des Moines Concours has been held on the weekend following Labor Day for more than 20 years. A formal announcement of the 2021 event date will be made later this year.

Continue to follow the Des Moines Concours on social media and through our website by following the links below. If you have any questions, feel free to send an email to [email protected].

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desmoinesconcours
• Instagram: @DSMConcours
• Web Site: http://www.desmoinesconcours.com
• Email: [email protected]