the gathering of more than 325 invitation-only vehicles.

The three-day event began Friday morning with the First Annual Concours Track Event held at Michigan International Speedway. To celebrate 100 years of the Indy 500, owners of the 30-plus Indy cars in attendance were allowed to drive the two-mile high-speed oval. The afternoon featured a motoring tour of the beautiful Plymouth countryside.

The highlight of Saturday's schedule was the RM Auctions classic car auction. Sales totaled $7.6 million, with 71 vehicles crossing the block. The top sale of the day was a 1932 Packard Twin Six Custom Convertible Sedan at $1.1 million. A 1939 Pontiac Plexiglas Deluxe Six "Ghost Car" built especially for the 1939-1940 Worlds Fair fetched a selling price of $308,000, including fees.

Participants and attendees at Sunday's Concours enjoyed sunny skies and warm temperatures. Featured classes included an Auburn V-12, several Duesenbergs, and an array of pre- and post-War Lincolns. Mercedes-Benz celebrated its 125th birthday with a collection of classics spanning much of the company's history. The 1949 Cadillac limo displayed was once featured in Automotive Traveler.

In addition to the Indy 500 cars, several significant drag racing cars were on exhibit. Among them was Jack Chrisman's 1967 Comet powered by Ford's short-lived but highly successful 427-c.c. SOHC V8. Also present was a 1962 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty, tuned by Ace Wilson's Royal Pontiac dealership in Royal Oak, Michigan. Pre- and post-war Chevrolets were abundant, celebrating Chevrolet's upcoming 100th anniversary.

Custom car enthusiasts were also treated to a number of past Detroit Autorama Ridler Award winners. One of the most memorable was Robert Massaron's 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible--named the Venturian A--which had been the 1965 Ridler winner.

Capping Sunday's schedule were the two best-in-show winners. John D. Groendyke's stunning 1933 Duesenberg Model SJ won the domestic category. Arturo and Deborah Keller took home top honors in the imported class with their 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn Kurier.

Judging by increased attendance along with more cars on display, the 2012 Concours d'Elegance of America should be on everyone's calendar next July. --Joseph Babiasz

Captions

1938 Mercedes-Benz Autobahn Kurier owned by Arturo and Deborah Keller, Best of Show, Imported

Automotive Traveler would like to welcome photographer Stephen Williams to its ranks of contributing artists. His photographs seen here and in the 26-page news feature of this event originally posted on AutomotiveTraveler.com are available for purchase in the Automotive Traveler/Fotki Image Gallery.

Pictured here is a 1933 Duesenberg Model SJ owned by John D. Groendyke, Best of Show, Domestic.