Category: Uncategorized

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 info@desmoinesconcours.com.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desmoinesconcours
• Instagram: @DSMConcours
• Web Site: http://www.desmoinesconcours.com
• Email: info@desmoinesconcours.com

The Des Moines Concours d’Elegance to benefit Children’s Cancer Connection awarded Best of Show to a 1917 Brewster-Knight Model 41 Single Enclosed Drive on Sunday, September 8th, 2019. The car led a field of over 170 vehicles that included two 1970 Plymouth Superbirds, one fully restored and the other completely original; and a pair of Kaiser Darrins owned by two neighbors.

The Brewster-Knight is owned by Stuart and Kathleen Etheridge from Lynn Center, Illinois. The owner recently completed the restoration on his own of this beautiful chauffeur-driven automobile after it had spent 35 years in a barn. The car features brass and German silver trim, oak and cherry on both the interior and exterior, and a USL starter/generator in the flywheel. It is believed to the only 1917 Brewster-Knight.

A full list of winners can be found below.

On the Saturday evening before the exhibition, the Des Moines Concours hosted exhibitors, sponsors and guests at a reception and dinner. The dinner featured speaker Jeff Lane of the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. That evening, the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from the Iowa Automotive Heritage Foundation was awarded to Paul Gorrell, of Burlington, Iowa. The award was presented in recognition of his unparalleled efforts to preserve and share the vast array of pioneer economy vehicles conceived and manufactured by Powel Crosley, Jr. Mr. Gorrell exhibited many of his Crosleys, including several WWII prototypes, as part of the Crosley Class.

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

Full List of Class Winners

Best of Show

1917 Brewster-Knight Model 41 owned by Stuart and Kathleen Etheridge from Lynn Center, Illinois

Hagerty Youth Judging

1962 Jaguar E-Type owned by Randy and Deb Anderson, Urbandale, Iowa

Bentley 100th Anniversary

1. 1951 Bentley Mark Six owned by Martha Davis of Des Moines, Iowa
2. 1958 Bentley S1 Saloon owned by Barbara Davis of West Des Moines, Iowa
3. 1994 Bentley Brooklands owned by Randolph Cumpton of Des Moines, Iowa

World War II Military Vehicles

1. 1945 Willys Overland 1/4 ton 4X4 truck, Model MB and 1/4 ton MBT trailer owned by Chief Peter Lentz of Cumming, Iowa
2. 1942 Chevrolet Special Deluxe two-door sedan owned by Chief Peter Lentz of Cumming, Iowa
3. 1942 Ford GPW Jeep owned by David Ruffcorn of Des Moines, Iowa

Crosley

1. 1952 Crosley Super Station Wagon owned by Steven Miller of Grayslake, Illinois
2. 1941 Crosley Convertible Sedan C223 owned by Alan Calvin of Wauseon, Ohio
3. 1949 Crosley Hot Shot owned by Richard Helm of Brimfield, Illinois

JDM/Japanese

1. 1989 Mazda RX-7 Convertible owned by Cole Peterson of Des Moines, Iowa
2. 1969 Subaru 360 Car owned by John and Jim Riley of Dubuque, Iowa
3. 1990 Nissan Skyline GTR owned by Jeff Hedden of Des Moines, Iowa

American Orphans

1. 1954 Kaiser Darrin owned by Marlene Ohnstad of Valley, Nebraska
2. 1954 Kaiser Series 161 Darrin Roadster owned by Paul and Pam Friskopp of Valley, Nebraska
3. 1969 Oldsmobile Base series Toronado owned by Larry and Linda Klement of Bloomington, Minnesota

Classics

1. 1932 Auburn Eight Custom Cabriolet owned by John and Jan Brewer of Davenport, Iowa
2. 1925 Packard 333 Club Sedan owned by Miles M. Mills, Jr. of Des Moines, Iowa
3. 1938 LaSalle Four Door Convertible owned by Lenora Schlenker of Ankeny, Iowa

Antiques

1. 1917 Brewster-Knight Model 41 Single Enclosed Drive owned by Stuart and Kathleen Etheridge of Lynn Center, Illinois
2. 1914 Overland Model 79 Touring owned by David and Marlene Ellrich of George, Iowa
3. 1910 Maytag-Mason Model A Toy Touring owned by George and Cathy Hess of Lenexa, Kansas

Early Collectibles

1. 1937 Packard 120c Touring Sedan owned by Larry and Linda Yoder of Amana, Iowa
2. 1933 Chrysler CO-6 Two Door Convertible Sedan owned by Harvey and Koyla Baker of Clive, Iowa
3. 1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe 2-door sedan owned by Tom Allen of Altoona, Iowa

Atomic Age Collectibles

1. 1957 Porsche 356A 2 door coupe owned by William and Kathleen Huspeni of Centennial, Colorado
2. 1946 Ford Super Deluxe Woody Wagon owned by Dean Archer of Ankeny, Iowa
3. 1956 Ford Thunderbird owned by Jodie Brown of Arvada, Colorado

Space Age Collectibles

1. 1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible owned by Jerry Magayne of Eagle River, Wisconsin
2. 1958 Ford Skyliner owned by Quintin Rottering of Webster City, Iowa
3. 1958 Chevrolet Corvette owned by Marc and Beth Weinbrenner of Williamsburg, Iowa

American Muscle Cars

1. 1970 Plymouth Superbird owned by Robert Fisher of Pella, Iowa
2. 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS owned by Tom and Sara Kurth of Marshalltown, Iowa
3. 1970 Dodge Charger RT/SE owned by Steve and Tracy Simbides of Marshalltown, Iowa

Exotics

1. 1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello owned by Michael and Amy Nees of Knoxville, Illinois
2. 2002 BMW Z8 owned by Skip and Tracy Hammerman of Urbandale, Iowa
3. 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider owned by Stephen Grubb of West Des Moines, Iowa

Motorcycles

1. 1946 Indian Motorcycle Chief owned by Gary and Jane Dodge of Des Moines, Iowa
2. 1951 Rikuo 750 owned by Ron Ronfeldt of Harlan, Iowa
3. 1969 Triumph Trident T150 owned by Marv Wilson of Ankeny, Iowa

Preservation

1. 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible owned by Jerry and Melinda Collins of Clive, Iowa
2. 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird owned by Chris and Doug Hammond of Marshalltown, Iowa
3. 1939 Ford 91A owned by Wayne Rupp of Weeping Water, Nebraska

Photos will be posted in this site’s Galleries section.  For the most complete coverage of the show, see Facebook (click here).