The Hagley Museum is a celebration of the old and the grand. Located on the site of the gunpowder works founded by E.I. du Pont in 1802, it consists of 235 acres worth of beautifully preserved lawns and stately buildings, including the mansion where du Pont lived. For fourteen years now, Hagley has been holding an annual car show on its Wilmington, Delaware grounds.

Winding through the long, picturesque drive through Hagley towards the show field, it becomes immediately apparent how difficult it would be to find a more suitable venue for an antique car exhibition. It takes only a touch of imagination to picture regal Pierce-Arrows and Packards traversing the very same path nearly a century ago.

Given the air of grandeur surrounding Hagley, it seemed only fitting for this year's event to feature cars of the Brass Era. The Brass Era is the name given to the earliest period of automobile production. Also called 'horseless carriages,' vehicles of the Brass Era were produced until about 1916. The time period's designation is a reflection of the prominent brass trimmings fitted to most automobiles of the era. With their penchant for grand proportions and ostentatious brightwork, the vehicles of Hagley's 'Pre-1916 Rarities' feature gave spectators the chance to admire some of the earliest examples of the American auto industry in a charmingly appropriate environment.

The earliest cars in attendance were a Northern and a Stanley, both from 1902. Two Mercers were present, including an unrestored Raceabout. A 1910 Packard Model 30 Roadster was displayed near an impeccable Pierce-Arrow of the same year, and further down the line was a 1914 Overland Speedster. The Overland had been owned by the same man since the 1960's, and had a wonderfully documented history that had been compressed into a binder full of forty years worth of photographs to further please the enamored onlookers.

  

The Ford Model T suspenders proudly worn by one of the more seasoned attendees proved that this was, plain and simple, a show for people who love old cars. The owners were kind and encouraged questions, and even the most valuable of the vehicles could be admired from as close as spectators cared to get.

A short walk away from the classy brass of the chronologically arranged feature cars, the main show field sat filled with more modern transportation devices. Hagley estimates that about 500 cars were on display. An overwhelming number, cars of varied values and conditions were huddled together in an impressive pack. Though the primary show field lacked the grace and sense of organization found in the feature car portion of the event, there were more than enough excellent cars to fill up an afternoon's worth of wishing.

A 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I was one of the most impressive cars on the main field. Bodied by Brewster and currently owned by the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate of Wilmington, Delaware, the Rolls had a long body and low windscreen that powerfully suggested the car's inherent quality. Nearby was a trio of fine cars parked side-by-side, including two Packards and a lovely 1928 Mercedes-Benz Model S finished in a striking shade of yellow.

Not all of the vehicles were quite so old. Muscle cars of the 1960's and 1970's turned out in great numbers. More than one early GTO could be seen, and big-block powered Buicks and Chevrolets were present in various forms. An immaculate 1971 Buick Riviera was present, finished in a rich hue of metallic gold.

Though the majority of the cars at Hagley hailed from the United States, there were plenty of older European cars to appeal to enthusiasts of foreign autos. A 1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia sat adjacent to a 1973 Porsche 914. The 914 was finished in a rare color called Delphi Green. Another 1973 Porsche was also in attendance, a black 911T. There were a few Jags on the show field, including an early E-Type convertible and its spiritual successor, an XJS V12 convertible. Other British sports cars were also displayed, with models from Austin-Healey, Triumph, MG, and TVR.

Towards the show's end, a procession of the cars was organized. An announcer gave brief descriptions of the parading vehicles as they cruised down a drive lined with spectators. The parade allowed attendees to experience the feeling of watching some very rare cars move through a scenic landscape under their own power. The earliest cars proved particularly exciting to see traveling down the road. A handful of Stanley Steamers made it to Hagley, and show goers had the opportunity to see several of them running and driving. In an automotive era filled with uncertainty caused by rising gas prices and the detrimental effects our beloved cars have on our environment, it is an enjoyable relief to watch an antique car putter along emitting harmless puffs of steam into the fresh air.

Though the vast majority of the autos on display at Hagley came only from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, the selection was impressive and the quality was generally high. The large number of good cars in attendance showed how Hagley has established itself as a premier local event capable of bringing out the best vehicles in the area.