The Greenwich Concours d’Elegance came to town this past weekend. Greenwich is a two-day event, showcasing American vintage and performance cars on Saturday, from 1904 Searchmont to 1988 Camaro IROC-Z, and postwar European cars on Sunday. This year’s Sunday exhibits ranged from a 250 cc Isetta to a custom-built 540 horsepower Ferrari 612 Kappa.
A subtle underlying theme this year concerned cars of interesting provenance, automobiles owned by noteworthy people. These included a 1940 Packard Darrin convertible belonging to Drake Darrin, great nephew of its designer Howard “Dutch” Darrin, and Dennis and Ann Marie Nash’s 1949 MG TC, originally purchased by John Bond, the late publisher of Road & Track, for his wife Elaine. Of longer legacy was the 1905 Renault town car delivered to Sarah Cooper Hewitt, granddaughter of Peter Cooper, in New York City. It was shown at Greenwich by Dragone Classic Motorcars of Bridgeport, Connecticut. An Alfa Romeo 1750 Spyder, once a Mille Miglia competitor, later belonged to the late automotive author Ralph Stein.
This year’s Concours moved the classic motorcycle class to the water’s edge, and reprised the popular Concours d’Marine for vintage yachts. Greenwich is an aesthetic festival, to the delight of artists and photographers. Not all exhibits are automotive; Michael Maniatis enjoyed discussing the de Havilland Tiger Moth replica he built in his Manhattan loft. In recent years, Greenwich has hosted a Christie’s auction. Star of this year’s sale was a barn fresh 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Atalante coupe. Despite being re-bodied, it surged past estimates to set its new owner back $852,500 with the buyer’s premium.
Judges swiftly completed their rounds while renowned journalist David E. Davis, Jr., was interviewed by Bob Long for Motor Trend Radio, and a pair of Gull Wing Mercedes 300s contemplated taking flight. At afternoon’s end, the crowds gathered for prize-giving, narrated by Grand Marshal Don Peterson and Chief Judge Edward Herrmann. Best car and costume award went to the Tomko family and their 1909 Buick; Saturday’s People’s Choice was the bright orange 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis, a design study by Mario Boano. Best of Show, decided by vote of the judges, went to Joseph and Margie Cassini’s LeBaron-bodied 1934 Packard Aero sport coupe.
On Sunday, the people went for the Dragone brothers’ 1928 Vauxhall Hurlingham boat-tailed speedster, while Best of Show was awarded to the 1937 Bugatti Type 57 of Malcolm and Natalie Pray. After a wet Concours in 2006, co-chairs Bruce and Genia Wennerstrom placed an order for good weather in 2007. The heavens delivered, holding off incipient showers until the end of awards presentation on Sunday.
As with many shows, some of the most interesting things are seen in the parking lot. Interesting provenance reigned there, too, in the form of a Ford Lotus Cortina formerly the property of Colin Chapman.
The Concours d’Elegance, which benefits disaster relief agency Americares, will return to Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich on June 5th and 6th, 2008. Don’t miss it.
