Concours d'Elegance salutes the finest Big 3 iron, fins and ragtops

When the futuristic Fiat 8V Supersonic -- styled like a Ghia -- debuted at the 1953 Paris Motor Show, it was an immediate stunner.

Journalists pegged the aluminum-bodied sports car built by a famous coachbuilder on a Fiat chassis as a legitimate rival to Ferrari and Maserati.

U.S. automakers -- always on the lookout for the next styling hit -- were equally impressed and quickly snapped one up when it became available for sale. (It seemed a bargain compared to another sensation introduced at the same time and sold for $3,498 -- the Corvette)

It is now part of a sensational collection owned by David Sydorick -- a self-described professional car hunter. The retired investment broker from Beverly Hills, Calif., is well-known for his collection. Every one of his 20 or so cars is equally special -- and he can pick and choose where to exhibit them.

The 8V Supersonic will be entered and showcased at the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance in Rochester on Sunday.

In addition to its stunning beauty, its appearance says a lot about Detroit's standing with collectors and consumers these days.

Bringing 'ghost town' alive

The Meadow Brook Concours is all about countering the conventional wisdom that Detroit is done.

The Meadow Brook Concours set an attendance record last year, and organizers are counting on another stellar showing for the 30th edition.

When Larry Moss -- head of the 2009 car selection committee -- canvassed the nation's collectors to showcase cars at the Concours, he was often met with skepticism.

The chorus grew louder in recent months as GM and Chrysler teetered, and bailout fatigue ensued. "The lights are out in Motown," he was told by some collectors. "Detroit is a ghost town."

General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC have provided generous financial support for the Concours through the years. But this year is different.

Show organizers, in appreciation, have responded with a "Best of Detroit" Concours for 2009. You'll see big fins and chrome, convertibles from 1959, and all of the familiar names -- Thunderbird, Corvette and Skylark.

"In any given year, we've had the best of Detroit," said Moss. "We just didn't advertise it."

The past three decades have seen the Meadow Brook Concours grow from a somewhat stodgy old car show featuring brass and wood, to something for everyone -- dragsters, motorcycles and the latest wheels from Detroit.

Motor City still matters

Yet like a Monet that hasn't been seen publicly for decades, it's the high-end exotic stuff that draws the crowds.

Like the Fiat 8V Supersonic and a 1939 Delahaye -- one of the most beautiful designs ever and one of the rarest, most valuable cars in the world.

And the finest iron, fins and ragtops from Dearborn, Auburn Hills and Detroit -- a reminder that the Motor City still matters.

David Phillips is a freelance writer and contributor to AutosInsider.com. You can reach him at dphillips@detnews.com">dphillips@detnews.com.