The Gilmore Car Museum didn't just feature their 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, they got it running and Executive Director Chris Shires was all smiles as he tooled it around the show grounds.Not only does the show continue to grow - 380 cars this year, even as weather threatened - but more visitors came from further away this year, including Ohio, Florida, Indiana, Ontario, Canada, Wisconsin and Wisconsin.
In an interesting "two-fer," the Roussey family won two Porsche awards for Best of the 1980s and Best of the 1990s. And Steve Maslen won three Porsche awards for a 1973 911, a 1965 356S Cabriolet, and a 1958 Porsche Junior Tractor. Yes, there was a TRACTOR at DM8!

And most of us saw a Goggomobil for the first time ever.
We like to say "Every German car is a show car at DeutscheMarques," and we had a LOT of unique vehicles to enjoy. Our esteemed panel of judges had a difficult time choosing 55 vehicles to receive special recognition. But choose, they did.
Here are the owners and their vehicles who took home certificates and - in the case of "Best in Show" for each marque, a beautiful crystal trophy.
Audi Winners:
Judges: Dan Sales, Bruce Betzler, John Gackler
Best in Show Audi:
|
Ryan Speck, Muskegon, MI
|
2013 S4
|
Best of the 2010s:
|
Lois Halstead, Battle Creek, MI
|
2016 SQ5
|
Best of the 2000s:
|
Scott Cooper, Charlotte, MI
|
2001 TT
|
Best of the 1990s:
|
Joel Phillips, Kalamazoo, MI
|
1995 Audi UrS6
|
Best of the 1980s:
|
W. Gottschalk, Rochester Hills, MI
|
1985 Quattro
|
Best Daily Driver:
|
Daniel Crouse, Paw Paw, MI
|
2009 A5
|
Best Survivor:
|
Jack McCormick, Middleville, MI
|
1995 S6
|
Cleanest Concours Car:
|
Brian Divita, Grand Rapids, MI
|
2007 S4 Cabriolet
|
Judge’s Special Award:
|
Martha Chieera, Delta, OH
|
Coupe GT
|
Sharpe BMW Winners:
Judges: Ron Harshman, Pieter VanderLaan, Adam Kern
Best in Show BMW:
|
George Connell,
Marco Island, FL
|
1972 2002
|
Best of the 2010s:
|
Chris
Maliszewski, Ray Township, MI
|
2016 328D
Touring
|
Best of the
2000s:
|
Randy Mason,
Plymouth, MI
|
2002 Z3 M Coupe
|
Best of the
1990s:
|
Tim Beechuk,
Cincinnati, OH
|
1992 E34 M5
Touring
|
Best of the
1980s:
|
Gavin Roberts,
Carmel, IN
|
1985 325E
|
Best of the
1970s
|
Jim Prihoda,
Parchment, MI
|
1973 2002
|
Best Classic
(1969 and Earlier)
|
Kenn Poore,
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
|
Isetta
|
Best Daily
Driver:
|
Corinn Wooster,
East Lansing, MI
|
2016 328i Wagon
|
Best Survivor:
|
Ron Vandecappelle,
Wayland, MI
|
1988 325 xi
|
Cleanest
Concours Car:
|
Jeff Schutter,
Sparta, MI
|
1985 635CST
|
Judge’s Special
Award:
|
Mark Frank,
Kalamazoo, MI
|
2007 Alpina B7
|
Orrin B. Hayes Mercedes Winners:
Judges: Bill Chapple, Scott Marshall, Inge Leinberger
Best in Show Mercedes:
|
Fadi Maalouf, Holland,
MI
|
1970 280 SL
|
Best of the 2010s:
|
Todd Brower,
Grand Rapids, MI
|
2010 E550 Coupe
|
Best of the
2000s:
|
Ed Matushek,
Tinley Park, IL
|
2000 CLK 320
Convertible
|
Best of the
1990s:
|
Mark Sauer,
Holland, MI
|
1995 S350
Turbodiesel
|
Best of the
1980s:
|
Geo Turner,
Hickory Corners, MI
|
1986 560 SEL
|
Best of the
1970s
|
Gerald Iagulli,
Brooklyn, MI
|
1979 280 SL
|
Best Classic
(1969 and Earlier)
|
Matt &
Michelle Funk, Delton, MI
|
1967 220 D
|
Best Daily
Driver:
|
Mary Nonhof,
Holland, MI
|
1983 SEL 38
|
Best Survivor:
|
James Lawson,
Hudsonville, MI
|
250 C
|
Cleanest
Concours Car:
|
Robert
Kirshman, Augusta, MI
|
1972 350 SL
|
Judge’s Special
Award:
|
Jim Loseke,
Sheboygan, WI
|
1980 450 SL
|
Porsche Grand Rapids Winners:
Judges: Richard Rakow, Pat Gibson, Harvey Nuttall, Tyan Roelands
Best in Show Porsche:
|
Lane Breck,
Coldwater, MI
|
1988 930S
|
Best of the 2010s:
|
Joshua Ouellet,
Caledonia, MI
|
2016 GT4
|
Best of the
2000s:
|
Eric Tiller,
Kalamazoo, MI
|
2004 911
|
Best of the
1990s:
|
Pat Roussey II,
Sturgis, MI
|
1996 Carrera
|
Best of the
1980s:
|
Pat Roussey II,
Sturgis, MI
|
1986 Carrera
|
Best of the
1970s
|
Steve Maslen,
Richland, MI
|
1973 911E
|
Best Classic
(1969 and Earlier)
|
Kathy Hartman,
Portage, MI
|
1965 356C
|
Best Daily
Driver:
|
Andrew Rinehart,
Mattawan, MI
|
1983 944
|
Best Survivor:
|
Steve Maslen,
Richland, MI
|
1958 Porsche
Junior Tractor
|
Cleanest
Concours Car:
|
Amber Door,
Jenison, MI
|
1984 911
|
Judge’s Special
Award:
|
Steve Maslen, Richland,
MI
|
1965 365SC Cabriolet
|
Volkswagen Winners:
Judges: Savannah Bursk, CB Burs, Craig Paull, Jason Cardani
Best in Show VW:
|
Bill Chapple,
Marshall, MI
|
1958 Beetle
|
Best of the 2010s:
|
Sean McTaggart,
Muskegon, MI
|
2016 Jetta
|
Best of the
2000s:
|
Andre Lafrance,
Battle Creek, MI
|
2004 Phaeton
|
Best of the
1990s:
|
Joe Zeeuw, Rockford,
MI
|
1991 Jetta
|
Best of the
1980s:
|
Ryan
Niewoonder, Mattawan, MI
|
1983 Rabbit GTI
|
Best of the
1970s
|
Jeremy
Sturgeon, Zeeland, MI
|
1979 Scirocco
|
Best Classic
(1969 and Earlier)
|
Doug &
Terrie Clink, Fremont, MI
|
1957 Beetle
|
Best Daily
Driver:
|
Brand Selvia,
Greencastle, IN
|
1974 Beetle
|
Best Survivor:
|
Keith Wright,
Comstock Park, MI
|
1996 13-Window
VW Bus
|
Cleanest
Concours Car:
|
Richard Deming
Jr., Grand Rapids, MI
|
2013 GTI
|
Judge’s Special
Award:
|
Matthew Hybels,
Kalamazoo, MI
|
2017 Amarock
|
Other Marques Winners:
Judges: Dan Sales, Bruce Betzler, John Gackler
Best of the
1970s
|
Robert Bullard,
Richland, MI
|
1974 Trabant
|
Best Classic
(1969 and Earlier)
|
Donna Poore,
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
|
1962 Goggomobil
|
