Meadow Brook car show is classic

Rochester Hills -- Ken Kress, 72, didn't take home a prize from this year's Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, but being invited to participate in the prestigious car show was good enough for him. The Commerce Township resident had wanted to exhibit a vehicle for years.

"Just the idea of participating is a reward, and to get that little license plate they give all the exhibitors," said Kress, who showed off a white 1959 Oldsmobile convertible with a black top he's owned for 22 years.

Kress' vehicle was one of more than 250 classic foreign and domestic cars on display Sunday on the grounds of Meadow Brook Hall on the campus of Oakland University. The event celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.

About 10,000 people attended, said Mary Anne Parks, director of marketing for the show. The main feature was "The Best of Detroit" exhibit, showcasing 80 Detroit-designed cars from the 1920s to the '60s.

"It's good for people to know this is the heritage of Metro Detroit," Parks said. "People lived here and still live here that designed the cars here."

Troy resident Matthew Scott, 50, who has been to the show since its beginning, brought his daughter, Amanda, 17, to get her interested in classic cars. One of her favorites was the Rolls Royce, which she described as "intense."