The Greenwich Concours d’Elegance celebrated its 22nd year of excellence in 2017; Luxury Experience first attended this incredible festival in 2005, and have since made it an annual tradition. Founded in 1996 by Greenwich, Connecticut residents Genia and Bruce Wennerstrom, the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance is a 2-day celebration of exceptional and rare American and International motorcars, motorcycles, and yachts – the first day features American makes, and the second day features international makes. Luxury Experience is proud to bring you the show highlights from the Americana day.
Although Genia and Bruce Wennerstrom have passed on, Genia in 2011, and Bruce in 2015, the Wennerstrom Family continues to carry on the tradition of the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance that their parents started. Held in Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, Connecticut overlooking the Long Island Sound, it is a perfect background to showcase the amazing entries, and has long been a highlight of the Greenwich summer social season.
A Few of the American Highlights from the June 3, 2017 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance
The Roaring 20s
1929 Franklin 153 Sport Touring
1929 Franklin 153 Sport Touring Mascot
Franklin – Exquisite styling helped celebrate the appeal of the roaring 1920s and the lipstick red convertible 1929 Franklin 153 Sport Touring owned by Debbie and Bob Cornman was a show standout. Interesting details included its attractive Lucite eagle mascot (hood ornament) and double set of lights. Interesting to note is that Franklin, a division of the parent company, H.H. Franklin Manufacturing Company, was based in Syracuse, New York. They produced their first car in 1902 and closed in 1934.
1929 Packard 640 Sport Touring
Packard – The 1929 Packard 640 Sport Touring owned by Col. Norman B. Hathaway, Sr. was simply stunning with its creamy yellow body and ivory convertible top. Interesting to note about Packard is that it produced luxury automobiles from 1899 – 1956. Founded by James Ward Packard, William Doud Packard, and George L. Weiss, the company slogan was "Ask the man who owns one."
Carolynne Corigliano withn 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
Mark and Carolynne Corigliano owners of
1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Springfield Phaeton
Rolls-Royce – The eye-catching 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Springfield Phaeton owned by Mark and Carolynne Corigliano was built by Rolls-Royce of America in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Brunn and Company in Buffalo, New York. Weighing in at 5,700 pounds, the 39AG or "Phoebe" has a 6 cylinder "L" head, 4 speed transmission, dual magneto and distributor/coil ignition, a top speed of 65 mph, and gets 14 – 16 mpg. Interesting to note is that the Silver Ghost chassis, designed by F. Henry Royce, was produced in both Derby, England and Springfield, Massachusetts between 1907 until 1926. 9,000 of these exceptional motorcars were built to offer an easy-to-drive, smooth, reliable and luxurious ride. With its vibrant cherry red body and black convertible top, "Phoebe," was a definite highlight.
1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Springfield Playboy
Another exceptionally attractive Rolls-Royce was the 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Springfield Playboy owned by Pamela W. Gores. The plaque noted that it was shown in the very first Greenwich Concours d’Elegance in 1996. This exquisite beauty continues to be an icon of style with its bright blue body and attractive mascot (hood ornament).
The Thrilling 30s
1932 Cord L-29 Cabriolet
A lesser known motorcar from the 1930s was the 1932 Cord L-29 Cabriolet owned by Glenn and Valerie Royals. Made by the Auburn Automobile Company in Connersville, Indiana, the Cord was produced between 1929 – 1932, and from 1936 – 1937, and was the first American front-wheel drive offered to the public.
1934 Packard 1101 Woody Wagon
Packard – The navy 1934 Packard 1101 Woody Wagon owned by The Marano Collection was another standout with its Lucite horsehead mascot (hood ornament).
1935 Studebaker Commander Roadster
Studebaker – The pristine yellow 1935 Studebaker Commander Roadster owned by George and Valerie Vassos had a storied past having been featured in the 1985 film, The Color Purple, starring Danny Glover, Adolph Caesar, Margaret Avery, Rae Dawn Chong, and Whoopi Goldberg.
The Flirtatious 40s
1947 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
Car Emblem Mascot
Cadillac – We loved the sleek styling of the 1947 Cadillac Series 62 convertible owned by Richard and Dolores Bonati with its mascot (hood ornament) and Cadillac emblem above the grill. Measuring 216.0 inches in length, 80 inches in width, with a height of 64.5 inches, this motorcar has a 126.0 wheelbase, 346 cubic inch engine (5.7L) monobloc VB, and weighs between 4,100 – 4,400 pounds.
1941 Packard 160 Deluxe Convertible
Packard – Another exceptional beauty was the 1941 Packard 160 Deluxe Convertible owned by Jack Cornely with 160 written in script along the side body of the car.
The Fabulous 50’s
1953 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Convertible
Mascot
Interior Design Mascot
Loren Hulber with 1953 Chrysler New Yorkder Deluxe Convertible
Chrysler – The 1950s had great style, and the 1953 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Convertible, owned for the past three years by Loren and Jodi Hulber, was a shining example of the fabulous fifties with its lipstick red body, tan top, and wide white wall tires. Speaking with Loren I learned that in 1949 the famous automobile designer Virgil Exner joined Chrysler, and the Chrysler New Yorker was a totally new car for 1953 and demonstrated his design expertise. The car was advertised and marketed as "the most beautiful car and the finest expertise." Fun interior details include the tartan plaid and tobacco leather interior, and the wheel clock.
Watch the video clip of Loren Hulber speaking about his car – https://youtu.be/qEC7ReRcBRs
1951 Dodge Coronet Convertible
Mascot
Dodge – The 1951 Dodge Coronet Convertible owned by Alex Avezbaki was a bronze beauty with a wonderful mascot (hood ornament). Interesting to note is that the Dodge Coronet was produced as a full-size class between 1949 – 1959, and as a mid-size class from 1965 – 1976. The 1951 measures 202.8 inches in length, 74 inches in width, and has a wheelbase of 123.5 inches.
1956 Mercury Montclair Convertible
Mercury – We loved the license plate on the turquoise 1956 Mercury Montclair Convertible with its wide white wall tires owned by Joseph P. Nolan, which reads, "Still New." Looking closely at the details, Mercury is spelled out in individual letters on the front bumper, and just below the mascot (hood ornament) is a stylized M. The Montclair was produced from 1955 – 1960, and again from 1964 – 1968. This stylish beauty measures 211 inches in length.
Packard – Interesting to compare was the 1954 Packard Caribbean and the 1956 Packard Caribbean parked side-by-side at the show. Packard produced the Caribbean from 1953 – 1956, and offered it as a 2-door convertible, and a 2-door hardtop.
1954 Packard Caribbean
The 1954 Packard Caribbean Convertible owned by Jim and Maryellen Barnes was one of only 400 made and is 1 of 121 still in existence today, making this a very rare Packard. Designed by Dick Teague (who later went to GM), the attractive body features a custom ordered color of Maroon Metallic and Ivory. Weighing in at 4,290 pounds, it measures 218.5 inches in length, 78 inches in width, has a 352-cubic inch "L" head 8-cylinder 200 horsepower engine, and a 122-inch wheelbase.
1956 Packard Caribbean Coupe
The 1956 Packard Caribbean Coupe owned by John and Maureen Walker featured an ivory and turquoise body with Caribbean written out in gold lettering, and vibrant turquoise leather interior.
The Sizzling 60s
Gwen and Parker Ackley
1960 Edsel Ranger
Gwen and Parker Ackley dressed in 60s clothing to help create ambience of the sixties complete with hamburgers on a grill and radio for the cream and turquoise 1960 Edsel Ranger Four-Door Hardtop owned by Mark and Karen Milosky. Interesting to note is that Edsel was a marque manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It had a very limited run, 1958 – 1960, with the Edsel Ranger introduced on October 15, 1959, with the last official assembly day on November 19, 1959. There were only 2,571 produced of the 1960 Edsel Ranger, making it very rare.
1969 AMC AMX Two-Door Hardtop
The bright orange 1969 AMC AMX Two-Door Hardtop owned by Dr. Marcel (Marc) Perlman and Mrs. Renee A. Perlman with its double black racing stripe down the center of the car captured our attention and made us chuckle with its Connecticut Early American vanity plate "Carrot." Produced by the American Motors Company from 1968 – 1970, it has a length of 177 inches, a width of 71 inches, a height of 51 inches, a 97-inch wheelbase, and weighs 3,000.
The Race Cars – Vrrrooom!
Henri M. David, Jr with his 1949 Hillegass Sprint Car
1949 Hillegass Sprint Car
Hillegass: The 1949 Hillegass Sprint Car owned by Henri M. David, Jr. was an exciting entry with its bright yellow and black rocket body. Built by Hiram Hillegass in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the special feature of this sprint car is that was built 4-inches wider to accommodate the Ardun V-8 engine. A few of its interesting facts include a "tube frame," a 1956 Studebaker, Overhead Valve, 4.2 L, with a displacement of 259-cubic-inches bored to 265-cubic-inches, a 200 hp+, and a 1939 Ford 3-speed toploader transmission. Proudly bearing race numbers 6 and 23, this sprint car has raced extensively throughout the Eastern United States. A point of note, is that Hiram Hillegass was inducted into The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1997.
Watch the video clip of Henri M. David, Jr. speaking about his 1949 Hillegass Sprint Car – https://youtu.be/uLku_xcGKtw
1951 Hudson Hornet Coupe
Mascot
Hudson: The 1951 Hudson Hornet Coupe owned by Thomas and Kristen Zarrella told the tale of its racing history emboldened on its blue body with bright orange wheel covers pronouncing it was a "NASCAR inspected race car" with "Fabulous Hudson Hornet," driver Herb Thomas, number 92, Daytona Beach, Florida, Smokey’s, "The Best Damn Garage in Town," and Twin H Power, written on it. The Hudson Motor Company of Detroit, Michigan produced the Hornet between 1951 – 1954. Weighing in at 3,620 pounds, and measuring 208 inches in length, with a width of 77.5 inches, a wheelbase of 124 inches, a 308-cubic inch engine, and a 3-speed manual transmission, it had great success in stock car racing.
1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Chevrolet: The 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible owned by Philip Schwartz, noted that it was "One of three Corvettes called "The Purple People Eater" on its plaque. Bearing the number 1 on its hood, other details included the Texaco red winged horse emblem on its right front side, Purple People Eater, and MK III on the driver’s door along with the number 1 emblem signed by the driver.
Edward F. Nesta with 2006 Ford GT
Ford: A late model racer included the 2006 Ford GT owned by John Fernandez proudly bearing its race number of 6 and the Gulf emblem on its turquoise and orange body. Interesting to compare with earlier entries at the show, the 2006 Ford GT weighs in at 3,485 pounds, is 183 inches in length, 77 inches wide, has a height of 44 inches, 550 hp, and a 5.4L V8 engine,
Although we shared a few of the highlights, there were many more incredible early motorcars, motorcycles, children’s cars, custom cars, late model, and yacht entries at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. (You might also like reading our coverage of the 2017 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance International day in the Arts & Antiques section.)
Until next year, take time to enjoy the ride!
For more information about attending, or entering your motorcar, motorcycle, or yacht, for the upcoming Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, please visit the website: www.GreenwichConcours.com.
Upcoming Greenwich Concours d’Elegance Dates:
June 2 – 3, 2018
June 1 – 2, 2019
Greenwich Concours d’Elegance
PO Box 838
Greenwich, Connecticut 06836
United States
Telephone: +1-203-618-0460
Email: info@greenwichconcours.com
Website: www.GreenwichConcours.com
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