Greenwich Concours d'Elegance 2016 - International Motorcars |
Written by Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta | |
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Held June 4 - 5, 2016 in Greenwich, Connecticut's Roger Sherman Baldwin Park overlooking the water, the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance - A Festival of Speed and Style, was a showplace for exceptional vehicles. The 2-day show featured American Classic and Collectible vehicles for the Concours Americana on Saturday, and the Concours International held on Sunday, focused on Imported Classic, Sports, Touring and Competition vehicles.
Although June 5, 2016 was a dark and rainy Sunday, the wet weather did little to deter aficionados from coming out to enjoy the 21st anniversary of the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance and admiring the international collection of vehicles on display. Snugly tucked under our large umbrellas, we walked around the show and looked for the bold, the bright, and the beautiful.
One of the many highlights we found was a sunshine yellow, very rare 1951 Morgan Plus4 Drophead Coupe owned by Mark F. Evans. Produced by the Morgan Motor Company out of Malvern, Worcestershire, England, this sports car was manufactured from 1950 until 1969. Speaking with Mark we learned a little about its history as well as interesting details which included little yellow flag like appendages (directional indicators) that popped out from the sides of the vehicle.
Two more eye-catching standouts were a turquoise 1975 Lancia Stratos sports car manufactured in Turin, Italy and produced between 1973 and 1978, and a bright orange 1980 BMW M1 Coupe, both owned by Phillip Toledano. BMW produced the M1 from 1978 until 1981 with only 453 made.
Vrrrrrrrm! Ladies and Gentlemen start your engines... The sleek and sexy silver 1938 BMW 328 owned by Jeffrey K. McAllister proudly displayed its history as a race car with a decal from The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix with number 38 on its side. BMW made the 328 from 1936 until 1940, and as a point of interest, in 1938 the 328 was a class winner in the Mille Miglia.
An attractive silver 1949 Allard J 2 Prototype Competition Roadster with the racing number, 5, on its body, owned by Gerald J. Lettieri, received the "Historic Vehicle Association - This Car Matters" award at the 2016 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. What made the car especially interesting is that it noted its history.
"This car was delivered new to Zora Arkus-Duntov in New York City and Zora installed the famous Ardun OHV conversion for the flat head Ford V 8. The Allard also incorporated the DeDion rear suspension and split front axel. Zora entered the car in the 1949 Watkins Glen race to promote the Ardun conversion. The car was raced successfully from 1949 - 1952 with Zora and second owner Robert Wilder at Palm Beach Shores, Thompson, Bridgehampton, MT Equinox, Burke Mt, Giants Despair, etc. winning many races and hill climbs. This car is presented in the 1949 Watkins Glen configuration."
Also striking was a vibrant fire engine red with white stripes, Italian 1958 Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce Confortevole 750E Coupe owned by Santi D. Sadaro with its racing number, 555, emblazoned on its side, and a red 1961 Ferrari 250 TRI/61 Spider of Scuderia N.E. proudly bearing the racing number, 10, presented by Miller Motorcars, which won the "Most Outstanding Ferrari" award.
More show highlights A hunter green 1937 Bentley 4¼ Litre All-Weather Phaeton owned by Desmond Fitzgerald won the "Award of Excellence," a 1941 Tatra T87 Diplomat manufactured in Czechoslovakia earned owner Barney Hallingby the "Chairman's Choice" award, and a German made 1949 Veritas 2000 RS owned by Elisabeth Jans was another winner with the judges, earning "The Founders Award - International."
Having attended the Greenwich Concours d"Elegance for many years, we had the pleasure of getting to know Founders, Genia and Bruce Wennerstrom and seeing their passion for motorcars develop into one of the highlights of the Greenwich social events calendar. With Genia's passing in 2011, and Bruce's in 2015, the Wennerstrom children now proudly wave the "racing flag" continuing the legacy of the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. If exceptional motorcars and motorcycles are your passion, the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance is a not-to-be-missed event. See you at the next Greenwich Concours d'Elegance.
For more information about attending or entering your motorcar or motorcycle for the upcoming Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, please visit the website: www.GreenwichConcours.com. Upcoming Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Dates:
June 3 - 4, 2017
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