Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DeutscheMarques German car show?
It’s the largest all-German car show in the United States,
generally held on the first Saturday following the Fourth of July. The
inaugural show was in 2012 and every show has been larger than the last.
DeutscheMarques next show will be Saturday, July 13, 2024 and over 600 cars are
expected (fingers crossed for good weather!).
Where is DeutscheMarques held?
The Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 W. Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners,
MI 49060, in Southwestern Michigan near Kalamazoo. It’s one of the top
automotive museums in the country with hundreds of cars on display in seven
separate museums on a park-like campus. More information about Gilmore Car
Museum may be found at gilmorecarmuseum.org.
What are the car show hours?
Show cars may enter starting at 8:00 AM. The gate closes
sharply at 12:00. No exceptions. Guests are invited to arrive starting at 9:00
AM. The event ends around 3:00 PM following an awards ceremony. Awards will be
given in six marque classes.
How much does it cost?
Entry into the Gilmore Car Museum is $20 for a show car,
driver and one passenger. Each extra passenger is at regular museum rates. The
show is presented by Garage Kept Motors and our Exclusive Marque Sponsors,
Sharpe BMW and Spring Valley Motors. Platinum Sponsors include AG Products,
Fresh Coast Auto Detail and Euro AutoWerks. Supporting sponsors include Bob
& Kay’s Auto Wash, Foreign Car Services, Enthusiasts Choice Detail Studio,
German Auto Service, SW MI Paintless Dent Repair.
Will there be food?
Yes, and beverages, too! German food, German beer and German
wine will be available along with other food items. There’s even an authentic
1941 diner, The Blue Moon Cafe, serving food.
What cars can I bring to the DeutscheMarques German car
show?
DeutscheMarques identifies a German car as “Any automobile
manufactured by a recognized German marque.” The name DeutscheMarques literally
means “German Car Brands.” In this age of globalization, some BMWs, for
example, are made in South Carolina and exported around the world. Some
Volkswagens are made in Mexico. For our show, they are all the products of
German brands, or marques and qualify as show cars.
MINI, for example, is *owned* by BMW, as is Bentley, but
they are both British brands, and very welcome at Mad Dogs & Englishmen
British Car Faire the day after DeutscheMarques, also at the Gilmore Car
Museum.
We give awards in separate classes to Audi, BMW,
Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen cars, along with Other German Brands like
Opel, Maybach, Tribant, Merkur, Wartburg and others.
What if it might rain?
DeutscheMarques will be held rain or shine. There is no rain
date. We realize some of these cars are made of sugar and might melt.
Seriously, we understand a reluctance to show if bad weather is predicted. In
fact, in 2023 we were expecting over 600 cars. Afternoon thunderstorms were
predicted, with the possibility of hail. It turned out we just got a LOT of
rain. And only 586 cars, still a new record. You can always come in the
morning, and leave early if weather threatens. Just remember - you must be present
to win any awards.
Can I show my German motorcycle?
DeutscheMarques is a car show, not a motorcycle show. A
motorcycle with a sidecar does have four wheels but remains a motorcycle with a
sidecar. Please check the Gilmore Car Museum website for motorcycle events.
How do I pronounce DeutscheMarques?
It sounds just like the old German currency before the Euro,
say, “Doy-ch-Marx”
I own just a regular German car, can I bring it to the
show?
Yes! DeutscheMarques says every German car is a show car!
This is a fun family event for everyday cars as well as weekend treasures and
those rare, restored classics. We give out up to 10 awards in each of the five
marque classes, including awards for Daily Drivers and Survivors with the
highest mileage/oldest model year. This event is fun for everyone. If you show
a car, your museum entry fee covers two people, so it’s cheaper to participate
in the show than to park your German car in the museum lot.
Do I have to preregister to show my car?
It’s not required, but very helpful. Preregistered cars have
all of their show material printed and waiting for them upon arrival at their
marque’s registration table. Preregistration also enters car owners into a
drawing to win gas money gift cards. As with all awards, you must be present to
win. Registration the morning of the show is also very welcome and convenient.
Where will I park at the car show?
You will be guided to park with other cars of the same
marque. Many members of car clubs like the Audi Club of America, The BMW Car
Club of America, The Mercedes-Benz Club of America, The Porsche Club of America
will often arrive together and park together. Parking maps will be available
online before each show. If you want to park next to a friend, you need to
arrive at the gate together. We do not reserve parking places.
I will be trailering my car to the show. Where do I park
my trailer?
As you drive south through the Gilmore Car Museum parking
lot, just to the east of the entry gate (by the Model A museum) is an area to
unload vehicles and park trailers.
If you can’t drive your car, you can bring the trailer
through the gate onto the show grounds at 8:00 AM and unload and move your tow
vehicle and trailer back outside the gate. We ask you to be there to unload
early because traffic really starts to back up.
Can I sell my car at the show?
DeutscheMarques is a car show, not a used car lot. Because
our sponsors, several of whom are marque dealers, pay thousands of dollars to
create the DeutscheMarques car show each year, they retain the sole rights to
display cars for sale. Please do not display a ‘For Sale’ sign on your car or
add commercial advertising, as it will be removed from the show field.
I have a great idea for the next show…I’d like to sponsor
the show...I’d like to volunteer to help put the show on. How do I contact the
organizers?
Great! All of the work before and during the DeutscheMarques
is done by volunteers, and your ideas and help are most welcome. Our primary
mission is to support the Gilmore Car Museum. Please contact us via email at
DeutscheMarquesShow@gmail.com
