WindCheck Magazine

Consider the villainous role that Mother Nature has played in sporting events like this year’s 136th running of The Kentucky Derby, where the “mudders” gained a distinct advantage as blessed waters from the heavens saturated the track just prior to race time. Much to everyone’s delight, the 15th Annual Greenwich Concours d’Elegance on June 5 & 6 was spared an encore performance, as attendees were able to wend their way throughout the verdant grounds of Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, CT to view hundreds of magnificent vehicles with nary a moist sole or dampened spirit. Despite Sunday afternoon thunderstorms that could have easily disrupted the awards ceremony and drive-by, the event concluded without a hitch thanks to skillful weather monitoring and timely rescheduling by the production staff.

Horsepower and Sailpower – A Supreme Showcase Event

For the past 15 years, co-founders Genia and Bruce Wennerstrom have produced what has become a greatly anticipated Gold Coast tradition to celebrate the automobile. Moreover, the Wennerstroms have once again selected AmeriCares as the event’s beneficiary. The excitement at this year’s “Festival of Speed and Style” included the inaugural Greenwich Concours d’Elegance 12 Metre Challenge, featuring classic America’s Cup yachts competing in match races on Long Island Sound.

The sailing action began on Friday morning and concluded on Sunday with the victor claiming the inaugural Greenwich Concours Cup. Thanks to the Herculean efforts of Patrick Sikorski, Executive Director of the Greenwich-based 12 metre Yacht Development Foundation, and his dedicated crew of volunteers and benefactors, an exciting new dimension provided attendees with a rare opportunity to step aboard and sail on some of the vessels docked at the Delamar Hotel, located just across the harbor from Baldwin Park.

A Three-Day Buffet filled with Sumptuous Eye-Candy

If spectator sports were caloric, ogling this event’s kaleidoscope of transportation confections could have handily negated all those hours on the treadmill in a matter of minutes.

This event featured dockside viewing of many of the greatest America’s Cup contenders and defenders including America II, American Eagle (1964 Cup contender), Columbia (’58 winner), Easterner (’58 contender), Freedom, Intrepid (legendary twotime winner; 1967 & ‘70), Lionheart (1980 British contender), Nefertiti (’62 contender; how many cars can you think of bearing names that commemorate a 14th Century BC Egyptian queen?) and Weatherly (’62 winner).

The 12m Yacht Development Foundation organized the Corporate and Yacht Club Challenge match racing action that took place on Friday and Saturday. One of Francis Herreshoff ’s most magnificently crafted sailing ships, the 1936 ketch Ticonderoga, was docked directly in front of the Delamar.

Saturday’s Concours Americana featured a sea of American vintage, classic and collectible automobiles from the turn of the 20th Century to the present, including beautiful Buicks, Cadillacs, Chevrolets, Fords, Packards, LaSalles and Studebakers, to name a few, spanning the decades from the 1930s to the present. The focus shifted on Sunday to another field of dreams – the Concours International featuring an exquisite display of international sports, touring and competition cars. There were also some pristine American and European motorcycles, like a 1917 Harley-Davidson 17 LT Big Twin and a 1969 Ducati Desmo Mark 3, and scooters including a 1968 Piaggio-Vespa VLB Sprint to ogle.

One of the most unusual exhibits was a Russian Tupolev 007 Aerosled, originally built to rescue cosmonauts who may have landed in the isolated Siberian landscape. A provocative 1937 Russian Volga automobile was displayed just outside the Bonhams tent. Like the Aerosled, it was boldly emblazoned with distinctive Russian insignia and wore its USSR plate proudly. Bonhams, the British auction house, also had a tent full of wonderful classics changing hands at the strike of the gavel. The auction lots ranged from old “barn finds” like a 1957 Austin Healey restoration candidate to an unusually rare 1926 Vauxhall Velox Tourer.

The World of Foreign Intrigue – Autoexotica Discovered in Greenwich

While the U.S.A. has carved a major niche in the annals of automotive history, it is Europe that has arguably produced some of the finest marques. From Aston Martin, Bugatti and Bentley to Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Maserati, Porsche and Ferrari, there is no question that a proud lineage continues to evolve and attract aficionados. Sunday was all about four-, three- and twowheeled temptresses. A glance in any direction seemingly exerted alluring force that compelled movement toward many provocative beauties. One that I could not resist was the sensuously sculpted, one-of-a-kind 2006 Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina commissioned by owner James Glickenhaus for a reported $5 million. The red seductress was fitted with an “indescribably delicious” 12-cylinder engine, centerlock wheels and a multitude of voluptuous compound curves.

Ferrari’s parent company, Fiat, was represented by a novel looking 1937 Topolino and a rather amusing 1951 Giadiniera “Woody” station wagon on the block under the Bonhams big top. A superb 1928 Bugatti T43 roadster caught my eye, as did a beautiful 1949 MG TC similar to the one I drove to high school, except – dare I say – mine was better looking since it had a cork rimmed steering wheel, leather bonnet straps and a Motometer radiator cap. I was surprised to discover two very rare vehicles parked at the Delamar’s L’Escale Restaurant – a 1959 Ferrari California Spyder LWB (long wheelbase) and a 1928 Bugatti Type 35B racer. Oddly, neither was displayed at the Concours.

From Docket to Docks – A Fleeting Experience

Ah...the sight of those glorious “Twelves” all neatly poised at their specially built finger docks at the Delamar was breathtaking. I have never observed such a magnificently memorable display. I am sure that many others echoed similar sentiment. Even in repose, these boats were truly awe-inspiring.

The first annual Greenwich Concours d’Elegance 12 Metre Challenge was a huge success, with a high powered and experienced Norwalk Yacht Club crew led by Jeff Nixon sailing the legendary two-time America’s Cup winning Intrepid to victory. Charles Mallory, founder and principal of the Delamar, announced that the perpetual trophy will be displayed annually in the Delamar Hotel lobby for all to enjoy!