The threat of rain that surely would sodden the patches of muddy fields at weren't deterring crews who were putting the finishing touches on this weekend's 17th annual Greenwich Concours d'Elegance.
The two-day 'Festival of Speed and Style' historically draws car aficionados from around the world and around the region to either show or view hundreds of examples of artistic automotive history. On Saturday, June 2, American cars will be featured and Sunday, June 3 is the day for European vehicles.
(And despite the overnight rain and the storms forecast for Saturday morning, the show will go on. Some words of advice: given pre-rain field conditions Friday afternoon, forego the fancy footwear. Rain gear and boots should be the apparel of the day.)
The Concours also will feature for the fifth year, an auction of more than 80 cars and automobilia organized by Bonhams Auctioneers & Appraisers. The auction will feature stunning original and restored automobiles as well as fresh 'barn-finds' that require the most detailed ground-up restoration to be functional.
The queen of the auction is a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Berlinetta, which is expected to command a hammer price of $1 million, according to Reputert Banner, Bonham's International Motoring Department vice president for business development. (To view video, please click on the image at right.) Another red Ferrari also is expected to garner interest—the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder Conversion that was owned by rocker Rod Stewart.
Other autos on the auction block are icons of American automotive history—a 1954 Corvette, a 1954 Buick Skylark convertible, several Fords, Lincolns and Packards including a 1956 Packard Carribean convertible, Ford woodie station wagons, and a 1939 Cadillac sedan.
There also is a bit of local automotive history for sale in the form of a 1919 Locomobile Town Car which was manufactured in Bridgeport. (For more auction information, call 212-461-6514 or log onto www.bonhams.com/greenwich.
Car manufacturers and dealers from the area also will be exhibiting the latest models including Mercedes Benz, Bentley, Rolls Royce and Ferrari.
The Concours—the brainchild of Greenwich resident Bruce Wennerstrom and his late wife Genia—benefits AmeriCares, the Stamford-based international relief agency. The show has raised more than $500,000 since it began 17 years ago.
Dates:
Saturday June 2nd and Sunday June 3rd, 2012
Show Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm each day. Admission: $30 per day or $45 for both days; children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Bonhams Auction: Auction - Sunday June 3rd
Automobilia: 10:00am
Motorcars: 12pm Location: Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, Greenwich, CT Weather: The show goes on rain or shine as scheduled.
