The Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance is kicking off its celebration of America's Automotive Barn Finds by launching a search to uncover long-lost historic vehicles from across the USA, for display in a special class at its seventh annual event, held on 12th September 2010 at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, Connecticut, USA.

Barn Finds can be the stuff of dreams for any vintage car enthusiast. According to Tom Cotter, author of several books on the subject, including The Cobra in the Barn and The Hemi in the Barn, a barn find is best defined as 'A vehicle that has been previously unknown, or known and unattainable, or discovered through obscure means; all with a great story'. Indeed, the Fairfield County Concours hopes to uncover some of the best.

Of course, finding an old classic car that has slumbered for years, untouched, not having seen the light of day can be quite an adventure - sometimes it can require an exciting, but extensive search, perhaps in pursuit of a car that's been heard of, but never seen; other times it can be an heirloom vehicle that's been passed down from generation to generation; often, it's the car that's been sitting in an old garage, passed by many, just waiting to share its story. There's no telling when or where these special cars turn up, but the Fairfield Concours is asking that America join the search.

Those who wish to submit a vehicle for consideration can do so by sharing their story and uploading photos of the vehicle here. Eligible vehicles can have already been discovered and dragged out of storage, but must not be substantially changed from the condition in which they were found.

A committee of well known authorities in the collector vehicle community including Tom Cotter, Wayne Carini, Rupert Banner, Miles Morris, Kevin MacKay and Donald Osborne, will choose up to 20 vehicles from submissions received prior to the 1st of July 2010. From that group, committee chairman Cotter will choose the finalists, which will be on display at the 2010 Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance. Transportation assistance will be provided for any finalists from more than 100 miles from Westport, CT. Anyone who submits a vehicle for consideration and makes it to the display field will also receive a professional photo portrait of their vehicle at the show, along with a poster of the event.

The first and second place prize winners will be determined by spectator guests who will vote for the Best automobie story by ballot during the Concours on 12th September.

‘In a perfect world, the Barn Find is a surprise to everyone. It can be any intriguing vehicle, regardless of vintage,' said Bill Scheffler, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance. 'While everyone might like to find a Hemi 'Cuda or Ferrari California Spyder, it's more about the human story - the length and depth of the search; why the vehicle's been hidden all these years.'

The seventh annual Concours will take place on the 12th September 2010 at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, Connecticut. The annual car and motorcycle club celebration day will take place Saturday, September 11, 2010. The event will be a showcase for both the best of automotive and motorcycle design and engineering excellence. It will also serve as a forum for the education of its guests.

This year, the event's featured judging classes will include Porsche, Bugatti and Period Hot Rods and Custom Cars from 1948 - 1964. Special exhibits will include the 24 Hours of LeMans, 'Styled by the Wind' celebrating automotive aerodynamics, and a collection of the elegant coachwork of Howard 'Dutch' Darrin, including five special Packards from the collection of Ralph Marano.

Sponsors of the Concours include: Porsche Cars North America, Tiffany & Co., Sports Car Market, Westport Resources, Bonham's, Moffly Media, Miller Motorcars, Fairfield Motor Cars, Callari Auto Group, FedEx Auto transport, Bridgestone, Victorinox, Rubin Worldwide, Gartner, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Meguiar's, Hagerty Insurance, St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, Automotive Restoration Inc., American Iron Magazine, Roadbike Magazine, Vintage Rallies, Automotive Valuation Services and DBS Helicopters.