Leon Flagg has been chairman of Milwaukee's Masterpiece Style & Speed Showcase for nearly four years, and never, he says, has he seen a lineup of motorized grandeur and rarity like the one scheduled for this weekend's Concours d'Elegance and car club show at Veteran's Park.
More than an average car show, Masterpiece combines the glam of aesthetic beauty with the intrigue of automobile history and evolution. Flagg describes his annual lakefront event as a display of "rolling sculpture," as some of his four-wheeled guests are literal one-of-a-kind pieces of automotive art.
Take, for example, the Duesenberg Model J known for its extravagant luxury during the early 20th century, the 1908 Lancia touring car arriving via Milan, Italy, or the 1948 Tucker, of which only 47 of the 51 made still exist.
The show's real gem, he says is the 1955 Ghia Gilda, named after Rita Hayworth's character in the movie of the same name. After a stop at Pebble Beach's legendary Concours d'Elegance and its Milwaukee appearance, the car will return to Turin, Italy, where it debuted at an auto show in 1955 as "The Dreamcar."
"This is the most varied and highest quality collection of cars we've had in our four years," says Flagg, mentioning that the Lancia is in completely original condition with only about 1,000 miles on it.
"We love the wonderful, highly detailed restorations, but when you get a high quality car that is still in its original condition, that's real history there. It doesn't get any better."
Saturday, Aug. 23 is Club Day at Masterpiece, where more than 150 collector cars from elite clubs like Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Ferrari, the Wisconsin Region of the Classic Car Club of America and the Wisconsin Region of the Antique Car Club of America are invited because of their affiliation. On Sunday, Aug. 24, the Concours d'Elegance individually invites 150 cars from around the world based on their historic value and quality.
The showcase's 1973 year cutoff allows for some modern additions, at least, comparatively. You'll find an array of muscle cars, but also what are referred to as "Supercars," a special breed of muscle car with even more horsepower than your classic variety. Essentially, a muscle car on steroids.
Guests are also invited to a series of seminars where they will hear stories and histories of select cars from the owners themselves. Catering is provided by Buca di Beppo.
The Masterpiece runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23 and Sunday, Aug 24. One-day tickets can be purchased at the gate for $15, and two-day passes are $20. Proceeds fund the Exceptional Needs programs of Jewish Family Services, a nonprofit organization offering comprehensive social services that enhance the quality of life for people of all denominations, ethnic backgrounds and religions.
Then, automobile enthusiasts are invited to the "Style & Speed Social" on Saturday evening at the Milwaukee home of Jenifer and Joe Tate. Tickets for the social are $75 per person, with proceeds also benefiting the Exceptional Needs Programs of JFS, Inc.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
