PLYMOUTH, Mich. – As in previous years, this year’s 40^th annual Concours d’Elegance of America kicked off with a series of automotive-themed events over an extended weekend, leading up to the big Concours show all day on Sunday. Our favorite is an increasingly popular “Cars & Coffee” event on Saturday morning that always seems to draw an overflow of great cars.

The yearly Concours d’Elegance of America at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan, remains the at top of all judged shows for blue-ribbon cars in the Midwest. The history of the Concours d’Elegance dates back to 17^th century France, where horse-drawn carriages were judged in the parks of Paris during their summer months. Eventually with the birth of the automobile, carriages became horseless, and with them the competition of owners to have their vehicles judged. Fast forward to today, and a series of Concours d’Elegance shows has grown to multiple mega events hosted all across the world.

Our own roving photographer, Ford retiree Bill Cook, came out for the Saturday, July 28 Cars & Coffee gathering along with his wife, Mary Lynn, and the couple’s 2013 Mustang Boss 302. The next day, on July 29, Cook returned to tour the Concours d ’Elegance on the picturesque grounds of the Inn at St. John’s in suburban Detroit. There, more than 300 significant classic and historically relevant vehicles were on display, ranging from the Gas Light era to Modern Collectibles.

As always, Cook brought along his camera, searching for some fine Fords to share with you in his personal photo gallery. Take a look at his selections below to see some of the Blue Oval’s best that were found during both shows that made up one of America’s finest Concours.

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY BILL COOK