It's going to look like old times on Beverly's Gold Coast this Sunday when 85 antique automobiles arrive at Endicott College for the North Shore Concours d'Elegance.
Some of the most beautiful old cars in the world — including a 1932 Duesenberg, a 1910 Oakland and a 1936 Cord 810 Westchester — will be on display at the college's Misselwood Estate from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
"You see a car from then, and you have to turn your head," said Patrick Cornelissen, who organized the concours and serves as director of operations for the conferencing department at Endicott, in addition to lecturing in its hospitality department and managing La Chanterelle, Endicott's classroom restaurant.
Visitors won't have to crane their necks at the college, however, because they will be able to "come up close and witness firsthand the beauty of all these cars," which were "so different, individual and stylish back then," Cornellisen said.
With ocean views and landscaped grounds, Misselwood is one of several historic homes at the college that served as a summer escape for Boston's wealthy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
It is a French-style manor, according to Cornellisen, a native of Belgium who moved to America eight years ago, making it a perfect setting for this show.
The concours is a French tradition and dates from before the 17th century, when owners of carriages put them on display to showcase "elegant, high-class standards" in workmanship, Cornellisen said. These events eventually featured automobiles.
Endicott's concours will feature more than cars. Signatures of Salem will be at Sunday's event, presenting women's fashions. Artworks from members of The Guild of Beverly Artists will also be exhibited.
In addition, local musicians will entertain throughout the afternoon, and Frank DiMartino of New Jersey will show his paintings of automobiles. Sam Adams Bistro will serve refreshments, and historic tours of the Misselwood will be available.
Cornelissen, whose parents owned a BMW dealership and who has always loved cars, organized the first North Shore Concours at the college last year.
Around 1,000 people attended, and there was a significant increase in the number of applications from antique car owners for a spot in this year's concours, Cornellisen said.
Registration for the judged portion of the event is closed, but there is still room for antique car owners who want to bring their autos to Misselwood and display them in distinguished company.
While the cars, and the setting of the event convey an aura of wealth, money raised from ticket sales and sponsorships will go directly to scholarships at Endicott College, where 80 percent of the students receive financial aid.
If you go
What: North Shore Concours d'Elegance, antique car show
When: Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Misselwood Estate, Endicott College, 407 Hale St., Beverly
Tickets: $10 general admission, $6 Beverly residents and Endicott alumni/staff. Collector car parking $25, to include two tickets to concours show. Advance tickets at 978-232-2128 or confer@endicott.edu.
More information: http://endicott.edu/concours
