Seventh-Annual Art of the Car Concours brings fine cars to the Kansas City Art Institute

Every weekend throughout the summer we visit car shows and cruises full of run-of-the-mill muscle cars, old trucks, and rat rods.  And I do love all of these events, which is why I keep going back.  But once in awhile, it’s nice to class it up a bit and check out some really fancy stuff.  The annual Art of the Car Concours is just such an event.  This is an opportunity to see local and national fine automobiles that rarely see the light of day.  But here they were, all on the manicured lawn of the Kansas City Art Institute for everyone to see.  Yeah, it was hot, muggy, and even a little rainy.  But it was worth a little discomfort to experience this very special show.

2012 Art of the Car Concours at the Kansas City Art Institute gets award for "most prestigious"

Many of Kansas City’s car shows are the best of their kind for one reason or another. The World of Wheels may be the oldest. The Goodguys show is likely the biggest. The Greaserama is the most eclectic. You can go on and on. But if you want to give out the award for the most prestigious car show in Kansas City, look no further than the Art of the Car Concours, which was held on the campus of the Kansas City Art Institute.  This show was created by Kansas City attorney and avid car collector Marshall Miller, and is a benefit for the KCAI scholarship fund.

The Armacost Auto Museum in Grandview is a little-known Kansas City treasure

When it comes to automotive culture, Kansas City will surprise you sometimes.

It’s easy to look at the beautiful coastal settings of Pebble Beach or Amelia Island and think nothing like that can happen here. But then we have the Art of the Car Concours as held last weekend at the Kansas City Art Institute.

It’s easy to look at Detroit and think we are not a mecca of auto manufacturing. But in fact, both Ford and General Motors build some of their most popular vehicles in the area.

Art of the Car Concours at the Kansas City Art Institute was not just another car show

Sure, we cover a bunch of different car shows. But the Art of the Car Concours at the Kansas City Art Institute is different. Very different. This is a "by invitation only" affair, where some of the most exclusive cars in the country assemble here in town for a once-a-year, once-in-a-lifetime chance to get close to things that you may only see in pictures.

Yes, it is strange that my '63 Chevy pickup with no paint on the hood didn't receive an invitation. Perhaps it was just an oversight. I'll try and get that rectified for next year, so the people can admire its beauty.