events | New England Auto Museum

19 Jun

NEAM Father’s Day Car Show Award Winners 2019

Norwalk, Conn. – Here is a list of the big winners from our 5th Annual Father’s Day Car Show. Many thanks to our wonderful Sponsors, Show Entrants, Spectators, Vendors and Volunteers for another successful show!

People’s Choice Award
– First Place ’59 Jaguar XK150, Eric Herdan
– Runner Up ’68 Chevy C-10 Pickup, Cliff Carroll

New England Auto Museum Award – Favorite in Show
’34 Ford 3-Window Coupe, Grace Gagnon

Mayor’s Trophy – selected by Harry Rilling
’69 Chevrolet Camaro SS, John Taranto

Malcom S. Pray Jr. Award – Favorite Classic Car
’28 Chrysler Convertible, Tom Boyian

Bob Sharp Award – Most Fun to Drive
’65 Shelby Mustang GT350, Richard Patterson

James Melton Award – selected by George Dragone
’53 Morgan, Rod Griffith

Garavel CDJR Award – Favorite Mopar
’64 Plymouth Fury, Doug Zumbach

Garavel Subaru Award – Favorite Import
’16 Ferrari 488, Jorge Doblado

CT Seaport Club Award – Favorite Preservation Car
’65 Pontiac GTO, George Klitsch

Hagerty Award – Car That Matters
’69 Mustang Mach 1, Vincent Sciarabba

NE Racing Fuels Award – Favorite Track Car
’83 Ferrari 308 QV, Alan Sosnowitz

Automotive Restorations Award – Favorite Restored Car
’57 Chevrolet Corvette, Harvey Wagner

Black Bridge Motors Award – Favorite Re-Imagined Car
’68 Chevy C-10 Pickup, Cliff Carroll

Ord Family Award – Favorite British Car
’59 Jaguar XK150, Eric Herdan

Coachmen Car Club Trophy – Favorite Rod or Custom Car
’63 Chevrolet Corvette, Bob Sabre

People’s Choice 1st Place, ’59 Jaguar XK150, Eric Herdan

People’s Choice Runner Up, ’68 Chevy C10 Pickup, Cliff Carroll

NEAM Favorite in Show, ’34 Ford Coupe, Grace Gagnon

Mayor’s Choice, ’69 Chev. Camaro SS, John Taranto

Malcom Pray Award, ’28 Chrysler Conv., Tom Boyian

Featured Marque, ’55 Chrysler 300-C, Chuck Schoendorf

11 May

Legendary ’55 Chrysler C-300 Coupe featured at NEAM Father’s Day Car Show Sunday June 16th

Norwalk CT – America’s first mass-produced 300-horsepower car was the legendary 1955 Chrysler C-300 coupe, which many consider America’s first high-performance auto for the general public. Only the limited-production, custom-body 1930s Duesenberg, built for the very wealthy, had provided such power. It’s difficult today to realize what a sensation a 300-horsepower auto was in 1955.

That was a car-crazy year for Americans, who welcomed radically new, unexpected body styles. For 1955, General Motors offered its racy Chevrolet Corvette V-8 sports car and Ford introduced its sporty Thunderbird V-8 two-seater. Chrysler Corp. had spent $100 million—than a huge sum—to dramatically restyle its 1955 models and had no money or time to develop a two-seater. The 300’s V-8 easier out powered the Corvette and Thunderbird V-8s—not to mention the costly Cadillac’s top V-8, which had 270 horsepower.

The C-300 arrived when the fastest, most powerful American mass-produced cars were still mostly costly, full-size models. The Corvette and Thunderbird were generally considered frivolous, as were two-seat foreign sports cars.

The big, gorgeous new 1955 Chrysler model was officially called the C-300, with the “C” likely standing for “Chrysler.” But it soon was just referred to as the “300” to prevent confusion because the second 300 was the 1956 300B, which had 340-355 horsepower. Subsequent 300s carried the letters C through L, except the “I” designation was skipped to avoid confusion with the number “1.” They’re all Chrysler Corp.’s prized collector “letter cars.”

The C-300 had a race-style version of Chrysler Corp.’s then fairly new “Hemi” V-8.
That engine got its nickname from its hemispherical combustion chambers. The 1955 Hemi 300’s 331.1-cubic-inch Hemi was modified like Hemi V-8s used in successful early 1950s race cars, with such power-enhancing items as two four-barrel carburetors, a competition camshaft and solid valve lifters. Solid lifters were more efficient than the hydraulic ones used in other Chrysler V-8s, but were noisier. The camshaft also caused a rather rough engine idle, although not an intolerable one. The exhaust system generated a rumbling sound. It soon became clear that this was no car to mess with.

The 1955 300 had a Chrysler New Yorker Newport hardtop body and smooth Chrysler Windsor side trim and rear-quarter body panels. There was subtle “300” badging on the body and hubcaps, but the 300 shared the classy “twin tower” taillights of other large Chryslers. Up front was a large Chrysler Imperial “egg crate” grille.

3002 At $4,110, the new 300 was the second most costly Chrysler brand auto. Only the big $4,209 Town & Country station wagon cost more. The price, alone, signaled that this was no car for kids. It was a hot rod luxury model for generally older affluent folks who liked fast cars. Veteran national auto writer Tom McCahill said the new 300 was a “hardboiled, magnificent piece of semi-competition transportation, built for the real automotive connoisseur.”

The 1955 300 was virtually unbeatable in competition that year, winning its first NASCAR Grand National race. It took the checkered flag at 37 NASCAR and AAA races of more than 100 miles.

The most-prized 300s are the 1955-58 models because they had the Hemi. A second version of the Hemi V-8 came in the 1960s for some Chrysler Corp. cars to keep the automaker among the hottest contenders in that decade’s muscle-car race. But they were totally different types of cars than the glamorous 1950s 300 Hemi models. The 1957-58 300C/300D looked sleeker and was more powerful than the 1955 C-300, but there’s no topping the 1955 300 because there’s no topping an original. The Chrysler C-300 to be featured on Father’s Day comes from the collection of Chuck Schoendorf of Rowayton who is an aficionado of Chrysler Hemi engined cars, including a stable of Cunningham C-3 sports cars which were part of a featured class at Greenwich Concours d’Elegance last year.

Article courtesy Dan Jedlinka.com

3003 Anyone interested in showing a car at the Father’s Day Car Show may pre-register online at the New England Auto Museum website at only $15/per car or at the gate on the day of the show for $20/per car. All show cars will be welcome with no cut-off year. Spectator admission is free. Prizes will include awards for the Peoples’ Choice, the Mayor’s Choice, Favorite in Show and many more. Dash plaques will be available for the first 100 cars to register.

New England Auto Museum
The New England Auto Museum will be an exciting new attraction for the state of Connecticut and throughout the Northeast. This non-profit organization will build a first class facility dedicated to preserving, interpreting and exhibiting historic automobiles and automobile artifacts. It will serve as both an educational learning center as well as a display center to highlight an ever changing evolution of car history and its impact on society. Find more information at www.neautomuseum.org

08 Apr

Cars of Carrozzeria Zagato Headline 24th Annual Greenwich Concours d’Elegance June 1-2

Photo Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

Greenwich, Conn. – Celebrating its 24th year of showcasing significant cars, motorcycles and one-off automotive creations, the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance will feature the custom coachwork of Zagato on June 1st and 2nd, 2019.

Recognized as one of the most prestigious classic car shows in the United States, the Greenwich Concours will honor the centennial of the famous Italian atelier with displays of more than 20 significant cars bodied by Zagato.

The Concours continues its tradition of holding two unique Concours back-to-back, with American cars and motorcycles on Saturday, June 1, and foreign marques on Sunday, June 2.

The event takes place at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park overlooking Greenwich Harbor on Long Island Sound.

Andrea Zagato, grandson of founder Ugo Zagato, and his wife Marella Rivolta Zagato, will represent the Zagato marque and are this year’s Concours honorees. Marella is the granddaughter of Iso’s founder Renzo Rivolta, and works closely with Andrea at the Zagato family business in Rho, Italy.

According to Maxim Magazine, “The [Zagato] brand – formed in 1919 by plane and car laborer Ugo Zagato – is the only surviving Italian coachbuilder from that halcyon era that is still family owned. Andrea Zagato, the grandson of Ugo and living scion of the ‘Lightning Z’ crest, now leads the brand into the 21st century.

“The foundation of Zagato’s work was Ugo’s proficiency in aircraft, which allowed him to integrate aeronautic philosophies such as lightweight materials and aerodynamics into his designs.

“The company’s foundation was established with the racing success Zagato enjoyed in its first decade of existence. Collaborations with Alfa Romeo produced unprecedented success: From 1928 to 1930, Alfa Romeo 1750 Zagatos claimed first place in the Mille Miglia. In that last year, Zagato-built Alfas snatched the first four places cementing the brand’s legacy as one of the most successful performance-oriented coachbuilders of the prewar period.”

Iso, founded by Renza Rivolta, was an automobile and motorcycle maker, the product of Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A of Italy. The company was predominantly active from the late 1940s through the early 1970s. It is known for its iconic Isetta bubble car of the 1950s, and for a number of powerful performance cars in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Photo Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

One of the more compelling Zagato-bodied cars to be featured at the Concours is the 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Corto Spider originally built to order in 1933 for race-car driver Tazio Nuvolari. It was prepared by Raymond Sommer for the 1933 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Sommer and Nuvolari placed first overall. Three weeks later, it was driven by Sommer and Henri Stoffel to second overall in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Barron Collier became its next owner, winning the Mt. Washington (N.H.) Hillclimb in 1937. It was subsequently raced by various owners in the U.S. until the early 1950s. It will be shown at the Concours by its current owner, Scuderia N.E.

Other cars on the field designed by Zagato will include those of Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Maserati, Lancia, Jaguar, Nissan, Porsche, and Aston Martin. Also displayed will be examples of the rare Alfa Romeo Tubolare Zagato, a 1964 Alfa Romeo TZ1, a 1965 Alfa Romeo TZ2, and a 2012 Alfa Romeo TZ3.

Photo Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

To honor Marella Rivolta Zagato, there will be a special Iso class, featuring such cars as a 1970 Iso Rivolta Lele and a 1973 Iso Grifo.

“We are honored that Andrea Zagato and Marella Rivolta Zagato will celebrate this very special anniversary with us at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance,” said Concours Chairman Mary Wennerstrom. “We will have a great variety of cars built by all three generations of Zagato, from the 1930s to the modern day. We also are pleased to honor Marella’s heritage with a special class of cars from Iso.”

The weekend will also feature cars of Stanley H. “Wacky” Arnolt, a Chicago industrialist who began importing foreign cars in the 1950s to the U.S. Although sold as American cars, the cars were true hybrids, with British mechanicals, Italian bodywork, and U.S. sales and distribution. A fortuitous meeting with Bertone at the Turin Auto Show in 1952 resulted in four collaborative efforts between Arnolt and Bertone.

Photo Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

His son, Michael Arnolt, will be an Honorary Judge at the Concours and will bring his Arnolt-Bristol Bolide. Arnolt-MGs, Arnolt-Bristols and Arnolt-Aston Martins will come to the Concours from as far away as New Mexico and Arizona.

American Orphan Marques and American Supercharged Cars are the special classes on Saturday. Cars of interest include a 1948 Tucker and a 1954 Kaiser in the orphan class. A one-off 1952 Packard Macauley Speedster with a McCulloch-supercharged 359-cu.in.straight-eight engine will be in the supercharged class.

Sunday’s Concours will host a special display of cars from the Bentley Driver’s Club in honor of the marque’s 100th anniversary, including models from the early W.O. Bentley and Derby Bentley eras, up to post-war and modern examples.

The weekend will also showcase orphan motorcycle marques. American Iron Magazine publisher Buzz Kanter will showcase limited production marques that no longer exist including a 1938 Mandille et Roux D2 “Passe-Partout,” a 1971 Münch Mammoth, and a 1950 Vincent Black Shadow Series C.

The Concours will again benefit Americares, a health-focused relief and development organization that responds to people affected by poverty or disaster with life-changing health programs, medicine and medical supplies. The Stamford-based organization is the world’s leading nonprofit provider of donated medicine and medical supplies.

A silent auction will be held to raise money for The Hometown Foundation, of Cheshire, Conn., which honors and assists five distinct areas of interest including Animal Welfare, Emergency Response Personnel, Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or in Need, Major Illness and Military.

Advance tickets for both days are available online at $30 per day or $50 for both days and include early entry at 9:30 a.m. and event program
VIP Admission is $150 per day or $250 for both days and includes early entry at 8 .m., breakfast and lunch with the car collectors, entrance to Bonhams cocktail party on Friday night, poster, lapel pin, event program and VIP lanyard.
Tickets purchased on the day of the event are $40 per day or $60 for both days
Gates open at 10 a.m. for general admission
Children 12 and under enter free when accompanied by an adult
Saturday Night Gala tickets are available for $175
Tickets can be purchased at http://www.greenwichconcours.com/visitors/tickets/

Article courtesy Greenwich Free Press

13 Mar

1938 MERCEDES-BENZ 540K AUTOBAHN-KURIER AND 1957 FERRARI 335 S NAMED BEST IN SHOW AT THE 24 th ANNUAL AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE

2019 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Best in Show winners

Jacksonville, FL – The 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn-Kurier and 1957 Ferrari 335 S were crowned this year’s Best in Show on March 10, 2019 at the 24 th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance . The event once again brought together the best of the automotive world, including 2019 honoree, “Mr. Le Mans” Jacky Ickx. The legendary Ickx is a six-time Le Mans winner, 1979 Can-Am Champion, a Formula 1 victor and a Daytona, Sebring and Paris-Dakar winner.

1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn-Kurier. 2019 Best in Show, Concours d’Elegance

The Best in Show Concours d’Elegance Trophy was given to a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn-Kurier owned by The Keller Collection at the Pyramids.

A brief history of the 2019 Best in Show, Concours d’Elegance winner:

“In March of 1934, a new Mercedes debuted at the Berlin Car Show: “Autobahnen Kurierwagen 8-Zylinder Kompressor Typ 500.” Only one model existed and the brochures informed the public that this car was designed for incredibly high-speeds on the autobahns going as far to claim that the high winds at those speeds gave the car its defining shape. Mercedes built the new model on the existing W29 chassis. Mercedes clientele at the time were conservative buying only 761 W29 cars between February 1934 and November 1939. Of those, 342 were equipped with a 5-liter engine and 419 with a 5.4 liter engine as in this car. Both were equipped with a Kompressor. The remaining 70 chassis were sent to outside firms that would construct specials to client wishes.”

1957 Ferrari 335 S. Best in Show, Concours de Sport

A 1957 Ferrari 355 S owned by Cavallino Investments took home the Best in Show Concours de Sport Trophy.

A brief history of the 2019 Best in Show, Concours de Sport:

“The 335 S was the most technologically advanced Ferrari in 1957. It featured a longitudinal 60-degree V-12 with 24 plugs, two valves per cylinder, twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank and it produced 360 horsepower.

The Scuderia Ferrari Factory team car started life as a 290 MM, was then upgraded to a 315 S and finally a 335 S. The car has a tremendous racing history spanning three seasons. The car participated in the major races such as Sebring, LeMans, the Mille Miglia, and 1,000 km events at the Nürburgring and in Caracas.

The car was piloted by some of the great drivers of its day including Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill, Olivier Gendebien, Alfonzo De Portago, W. Graf Berghe von Trips, Peter Collins, Maurice Trintignant, Mike Hawthorn, Luigi Musso, Stirling Moss and Gaston Andrey. This was in the period 1956 and 1957 when Ferrari won the World Sportscar Championship.”

“The 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Autobahn-Kurier and 1957 Ferrari 335 S both truly embody the sophistication of our awards,” said Bill Warner, Chairman and Founder of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. “I was thrilled to watch the judges honor such esteemed automobiles and continue to recognize the best and most extraordinary vehicles in existence, right here in Northeast Florida.”

2019 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Best in Show winners

It is in The Amelia’s innovative nature to present new classes and the 2019 event did not disappoint. This year’s Concours included “Cars of the Rock Stars,” a class specially curated by John Oates of Hall & Oates. Pairing specific vehicles with guitars, the class consisted of Oates’ personal collection and featured additional vehicles owned or closely associated with well-known musicians. In addition, John Oates sang a moving rendition of The National Anthem.

The new and exciting classes didn’t stop there – a dignified fleet of limosines occupied the lawn in a class titled “Heads of State.” This fleet was made up of cars of Kings and Queens, Presidents, Popes and even a Dictator.

The Amelia joined forces with HistoricRacingNews.com to present the first-ever live stream of the event. The live online video content allowed viewers from all over the world to watch the Amelia unfold in real time.

Additional highlights included a distinct class of Ferrari 250 GT “SWB”, Jaguar XK 120, a celebration of Indy Innovations and a Custom Coachwork Volkswagen class to acknowledge the 70th anniversary of the VW Bug’s arrival in America.
“I am proud to say that this year’s Concours had some of the most innovative classes and interesting vehicles to date,” Warner said. “Our celebration of the automobile finds a way to evolve year after year, and we remain delighted to continue showcasing such rich automotive history through our event.”

Click here for a full list of the 2019 winners.

About The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

THE AMELIA will be held March 12-15, 2020 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and The Golf Club of Amelia Island. For the Amelia’s full events schedule, including Saturday’s Cars & Coffee at the Concours and Sunday’s premier Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, visit www.ameliaconcours.org . The show’s Foundation has donated over $3.45 million to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville and other charities on Florida’s First Coast since its inception in 1996.

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance| 904-636-0027 | E-mail | Website

25 Feb

New England Auto Museum Father’s Day Car Show to Feature Mopar and Subaru Cars on June 16th in Norwalk

1955 Chrysler C-300, considered America’s first muscle car, dominated NASCAR racing in its day. (Archive Photo)

Norwalk, Conn. – New England Auto Museum has announced that the featured marques at its 5rd Annual Father’s Day Car Show will be Mopar Muscle, performance cars from the Chrysler Corporation, and Subaru automobiles, celebrating over 50 years in the U.S. market. The show is presented by the Garavel Auto Group and will be held Sunday June 16th from 10AM to 3PM at Mathews Park in Norwalk, rain or shine.

In its 5^rd year, the NEAM Father’s Day Car Show takes advantage of its surroundings on the spacious lawns of the Mathews Park which provide a scenic backdrop for a spectacular collection of classic cars. The show provides a wide variety of attractions for car owners and spectators alike including tours of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum and the neighboring Stepping Stones Children’s Museum as well as great BBQ food, ice cream and games.

20192

Mopar is the parts, service and customer care organization within Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The name is a portmanteau of the words “MOtor” and “PARts”, first used by Chrysler in the 1920s and introduced as a brand starting in 1937. The term “Mopar” has passed into broader usage among car enthusiasts as an unambiguous reference to vehicles produced by former parent company Chrysler Corporation, now FCA US.

America’s first mass-produced 300-horsepower car was the legendary 1955 Chrysler C-300 coupe, which many consider America’s first high-performance auto available for the general public. The 1955 300 was virtually unbeatable in competition that year, winning its first NASCAR Grand National race. It took the checkered flag at 37 NASCAR and AAA races of more than 100 miles.

1970 Plymouth Superbird (Photo Mecum Auctions)

The success of the Chrysler 300 in the luxury segment, led to a plethora Mopar high-performance cars in the 60’s and 70’s stimulated by the “horsepower wars” among major manufacturers on race tracks and drag strips across the country in that era. These were celebrated nameplates, including Plymouth Superbird, Road Runner, GTX, ‘Cuda and Dodge Charger, R/T, Super Bee and Challenger, that have become prized collectables today with ever increasing prices at auctions.

Under FIAT ownership, FCA has continued the tradition of street and racing muscle car dominance with SRT (Street and Racing Technology) versions of its popular vehicles headlined by the 808 horsepower Dodge SRT Challenger Demon and the 717 horsepower Dodge SRT Charger Hellcat.

2018 Dodge SRT Challenger Demon with 808 Horsepower, billed as the “Fastest Production Car in the World” (Photo Dodge Division, FCA)

20195 Subaru’s first vehicles were sold in America 50 years ago, but you could say the brand really just arrived here in the past decade. The first car – the Subaru 360 – was small and plain, a far cry from the automaker’s current models. Their first ads conceded that “Cheap and ugly does it.” True to that first car’s name, the Japanese company sold only 332 cars in 1968.

The 360, first Subaru imported to the U.S. in 1968 (Photo Alden Jewell Flickr)

But that has changed over the last decade: You could say that Subaru now is feeling the love – the theme of the carmaker’s popular, 10-year-long advertising campaign. Sales have climbed every year from 2007, when the company sold about 187,000 vehicles for 1.16 percent market share, through last year, when Subaru sold almost 650,000 for a 3.76 percent share. Subaru is cashing in on the market shift to crossovers and have an all-wheel-drive lineup with their “go-anywhere” attitude. They stay connected to their loyal customers; they are attracting new buyers to the brand at an impressive clip, and bringing out new products that are designed only for the U.S. market.

50th Anniversary edition of the Subaru WRX (Photo Subaru)

Anyone interested in showing a car at the Father’s Day Car Show may pre-register online at the New England Auto Museum website at only $15/per car or at the gate on the day of the show for $20/per car. All show cars will be welcome with no cut-off year. Spectator admission is free. Prizes will include awards for the Peoples’ Choice, the Mayor’s Choice, Favorite in Show and many more. Dash plaques will be available for the first 100 cars to register.

New England Auto Museum
The New England Auto Museum will be an exciting new attraction for the state of Connecticut and throughout the Northeast. This non-profit organization will build a first class facility dedicated to preserving, interpreting and exhibiting historic automobiles and automobile artifacts. It will serve as both an educational learning center as well as a display center to highlight an ever changing evolution of car history and its impact on society. Find more information at www.neautomuseum.org

11 Jan

The 2019 Amelia Concours Will Honor Indy’s Revolutionary Innovations on March 10th

1926 Miller 91ci Front Drive – Photo courtesy of The Brumos Collection

Article Courtesy Chris Brewer, Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

Jacksonville, FL – On the 110 th anniversary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the
24 th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance will celebrate the brilliant and radical ideas and the ground breaking cars that helped revolutionize America’s great race.

From its earliest days, the “500” was the cradle of innovation and the nursery of famous, sometimes obscure and occasionally infamous cars that drove the Indy 500 to become not just “the greatest spectacle in racing” but the most important auto race in the world.

Speed has always been the ultimate goal and the defining virtue of the cars that raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Indy’s ceaseless technological innovations dated to the days before World War I when a Grand Prix Peugeot showed the sport the way forward with its seminal high-revving DOHC four-valve engine. It ended the age of the behemoth, bringing science and fresh technology to Indy’s pursuit of speed.

1968 Lotus 56 Indy Turbine- Photo courtesy of the Bruce Linsmeyer Collection

The brilliant and revolutionary Peugeot begat the exquisite Millers and the mighty Offenhauser that reigned at Indy from 1935, finally surrendering its crown after its 28th “500” victory in 1976. Across three decades — 1931 through 1952 — Diesel power, as epitomized by the 1934 Cummins 2-stroke Diesel defied and defeated not only Indy convention but draconian fuel consumption rules in 1934. Cummins Diesel power went on to claim Indy’s coveted pole position in 1952.

By then the “500” had changed speed, shape and style through the Miller front wheel drive era of the 1920s through 1949, the birth of the Roadster in 1952, the rear engine invasion of the 1960s with the introduction of Formula 1 technology and the arrival of Formula 1 World Champions Cooper and Lotus. Ground effects arrived at Indy from Formula 1 in 1979 and, as in 1961, everything changed with speeds climbing steeply.

Some innovations came along too far, too fast turning Indy’s engineering and design orthodoxy inside out. Turbine engines twice came close to Indy’s victory lane, none with more engineering flair than the Lotus four-wheel-drive Type 56 that, in 1968, retired from the lead less than 23 miles from the richest payday in motorsport. A year after Jim Hall’s Chaparral 2K became the first Indy 500 ground effects winner, Dan Gurney’s radical stock-block Chevy V-8 Eagle BLAT — Boundary Layer Adhesion Technology — blew established ground effects doctrine apart, started from the front row of the “500”, and a week later won the Milwaukee 150-miler from that last row. It was promptly legislated out of existence.

Al Unser Jr. drives the Penske-Mercedes PC 23 to victory at Indy in 1964 –
Photo courtesy of Daimler-Mercedes-Benz

Indy’s radical game changers got their ultimate revenge a quarter century ago when a new rulebook was written to lure major car manufacturers to the “500” with generous specifications for turbocharged stock block pushrod engines. Penske Racing’s brain trust read those rules with extraordinary care and the Penske-Mercedes PC 23 powered by the mega-horsepower Mercedes-Benz 500I V-8 was the result. It was such a leap that the 1,000-plus horsepower Mercedes 500I “pushrod” turbo V-8 became known as “The Beast”. It dominated the entire “Month of May”, upset Indy’s status quo and was, as the turbines and Dan Gurney’s BLAT Eagle before it, promptly banned.

To those who live for Indy’s Month of May, the “500” is the one race worth any cost. As race car technology advances the sanctioning bodies in some forms of motorsport have struggled to reduce speeds and expense in the name of fairness, economy and competition. To many of the brilliant, brave and creative people who design, build and drive Indy Cars such behavior is a kind of perverse technological sacrilege that is at odds with the vision of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s founders, the thousands who have raced there and the millions who, across two centuries, have cheered them at “the greatest spectacle in racing.”

Tickets for the 24th Annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance are available online.

Special event tickets, including Thursday’s Guardians of Porsche Wine Dinner and Sunday’s Club Amelia, are selling quickly.

For more info and to purchase tickets visit, https://www.ameliaconcours.org/shop/tickets

About The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

THE AMELIA will be held March 7-10, 2019 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and The Golf Club of Amelia Island. For the Amelia’s full events schedule, including Saturday’s Cars & Coffee at the Concours and Sunday’s premier Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, visit www.ameliaconcours.org . The show’s Foundation has donated over $3.45 million to Community Hospice & Palliative Care and other charities on Florida’s First Coast since its inception in 1996.

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance| 904-636-0027 | E-mail | Website

am194 am195

28 Nov

Amelia Island Concours to Salute Jaguar XK120 70th Anniversary in March 2019

Amelia Island, Fla. – It was done in haste. It was to be an alluring delivery system to introduce Jaguar’s brilliant new XK engine intended to power the substantial Jaguar Mk VII luxury sedan.

But the Mk VII wasn’t ready, so Jaguar Chief William Lyons and his men created a quick solution. They shaped it on a shortened Mk VII chassis, painted it bronze, named it the “Open Two-Seat Super Sports” and took it to the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show just to show off their new XK engine.

Yet the elegant new engine that brimmed with twin-cam competition-bred sophistication played a supporting role when Jaguar’s “Open Two-Seat Super Sports” took to the Earls Court stage and stole the show.

amelia_19_2 This year marks the 70th anniversary of the speed record and the first race victory that set the Jaguar XK120’s course and gave it its immortal name.

On a super highway in Belgium the new Jaguar (with full windshield and top erected) recorded a top speed of 126.448 mph. With the windshield and top removed it was timed at 132.6 mph. The XK120 became “the fastest production car in the world” eclipsing the existing record by over 22 mph.

Perhaps the XK120’s most impressive number was the price tag: for 1,000 Pounds Sterling one could own the fastest production car in the world. The XK120 had no equal on the road or in the showroom, standing alone atop a short list of aspirational cars.

Clark Gable told Jaguar Chief William Lyons he wanted the XK120 “. . . like a child wants candy.”
Photo courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover Limited

No one was immune to the XK120’s charms. Clark Gable got the first one to arrive in the United States. Then Gable had the legendary George Barris customize his second XK120 so he could drive in greater comfort.
Gable’s Barris-customized XK120 will be the “Hollywood Star” of the 2019 Amelia’s Jaguar XK120 class. The display will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the XK120’s coronation as the record-setting “fastest production car in the world.”

Al Keller’s XK120, winner of the 1954 Linden, NJ NASCAR road race
Photo courtesy of Jaguar Land Rover Limited

The XK120’s competition record is as eclectic as it is deep. The record-setting XK120 was converted to right-hand drive. The car then raced to the type’s first victory, winning the Silverstone One-Hour Production Car Race. Future World Champion Phil Hill won the first Pebble Beach Cup with an XK120 in 1950. Jaguar XK-power won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times in seven years from 1951 through 1957. In 1954, Al Keller’s XK120 coupe won the NASCAR road race at the Linden, NJ airport!

“Jaguar’s XK120 is a landmark car. It was the first sports car I ever rode in,” said Bill Warner, founder and Chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. “I was just a kid but the smell of the leather and the wood has stayed with me. The XK120 is simply unforgettable.”

Now in its third decade, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is among the top automotive events in the world. Always held the second full weekend in March, “The Amelia” draws more than 300 rare vehicles from collections around the world to The Golf Club of Amelia Island, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for a celebration of the automobile like no other. The 24th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is scheduled for March 8-10, 2019. For more information, visit www.ameliaconcours.org

Courtesy Vintage Road & Racecar Staff and Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

09 Oct

Porsche 962 to be honored at Amelia Island Concours in March, 2019

The Amelia Island Concours will celebrate the car’s 35th anniversary in 2019

Amelia Island, Fla. – Racing is in Porsche’s blood and over the past 70 years the German sports car manufacturer has created some incredible racers; the 904, 917 and GT1 to name but a few. However, one of its creations stands as one of the most successful in all of motorsport and will be celebrated at the 2019 Amelia Island Concours. That car is, of course, the Porsche 962.

Next year the Porsche 962 will be 35 years-old, hard to believe when it still looks the part today. The 24th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is to honor the prototype racing car that dominated America’s IMSA series. In that formula, the 962 won no less than 54 races with 1985 being its golden year, taking the top step at every event bar one. The 962 also won the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hour race three times.

The 962 was born out of necessity as the Group C Porsche 956, that had won Le Mans in 1982, did not comply with IMSA safety regulations. This issue led Porsche to evolve the design of its first monocoque racer and create the compliant 962. When international rules changed in 1985, the 962C ended up replacing the 956 globally.

962-2

Porsche’s 962 was ahead of its time with its extensive use of ground effects, something that kept it competitive for an unusually long period. Star drivers such as Mario Andretti and his son Michael, Indy 500 winner Al Unser and his son Al Jr., Derek Bell, and AJ Foyt have all claimed victory behind the wheel of a 962.

An amazing fact is that with victory at Le Mans as well as Daytona in 1986 and ’87, the 962 had technically been undefeated in 96 hours of endurance racing. Between its first IMSA win in 1984 and the final competitive victory in 1999, Porsche’s 962 tallied 142 victories and won 35 international championships.

About The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

Now in its third decade, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is among the top automotive events in the world. Always held the second full weekend in March, “The Amelia” draws more than 300 rare vehicles from collections around the world to The Golf Club of Amelia Island and the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island for a celebration of the automobile like no other. The 24th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is scheduled for March 8-10, 2019. For more information, visit www.ameliaconcours.org or call 904-636-0027.

Courtesy Tyler Heatley, autoclassics.com

28 Apr

Four Hands on the Wheel: An Exclusive Screening presented by NEAM

Proceeds to benefit New England Auto Museum

The story of the legendary winning partnership
between Mark Donohue & Roger Penske

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 7:30pm
Doors open at 6:45pm

Buy Tickets

VIP Ticket Bundle

On the 50th Anniversary of Mark Donohue’s unprecedented 1968 eight-win Trans-Am Championship season, New England Auto Museum is hosting an evening motorsports enthusiasts won’t want to miss!

This captivating 47-minute 1969 film chronicles the very special relationship between Roger Penske and Mark Donohue, arguably one of the most successful pairings in motorsports history. The film features rare footage of both Penske and Donohue behind the wheel in a wide variety of legendary machines including the Zerex Special, Corvette Grand Sport and Chaparral as well as Penske Racing entries in Can-Am, Trans-Am, USRRC and more. Plus, intimate interviews with both men give insights into this remarkable team.

The evening will also include:

Historic Penske racecars on display:
• 1966 Daytona and Sebring-winning L88 Sunoco Corvette
• 1968 Sunoco Camaro driven by Mark Donohue and Sam Posey

A panel discussion with the people who were there:
• John “Woody” Woodard: Penske Racing Chief Mechanic
• Chuck Cantwell: Team Manager of Penske Trans-Am Racing
• Judy Stropus: Legendary team timer/scorer (before computers)
• Kevin Mackay: Restorer and owner of the #9 1966 Penske L88 Corvette
• Irwin Kroiz: Owner of #16 1968 Sunoco Camaro
• Sam Posey – Famed race-car driver & TV personality; driver of the No. 16 1968 Penske Camaro

Silent & live auction of racing memorabilia and never-before-seen photos

Tickets: $47
VIP Meet & Greet Ticket Bundle: $97
Includes:
6pm pre-show reception
Meet & Greet with the panel
Merch item

Sponsored by:

Proceeds will benefit:

22 Apr

BMW of Darien Signs on as Presenting Sponsor of the New England Auto Museum Father’s Day Car Show June 17th in Norwalk

BMW of Darien, part of the Callari Auto Group was founded in 1967 by Felix Callari

Norwalk, Conn. – New England Auto Museum has announced that BMW of Darien has signed on as the Presenting Sponsor of the 4th Annual Father’s Day Car Show to be held Sunday June 17th from 10AM to 3PM at Mathews Park in Norwalk.

Felix Callari had a passion for cars, beautiful, powerful automobiles He opened his BMW dealership in 1967 with the dream to blend that love of cars with the solid relationships he developed with fellow car enthusiasts in the hopes of creating a car business based on trust and knowledge. He did just that when he opened his first dealership with Saab, Triumph and Sunbeam in 1966, later adding BMW in 1967.

Felix Callari passed away in 2008, but his legacy lives on through his two daughters, Paula Callari (President) and Flavia Callari (Vice President). Currently, Callari Auto Group is comprised of BMW of Darien, MINI of Fairfield County and Volvo Cars Westport. Each dealership maintains the standards that Mr. Callari instilled in his employees through the many decades prior. Customer satisfaction, product knowledge, honesty and transparency are the hallmarks of Callari Auto Group.

Mr. Callari was a true pioneer in the automotive industry making the customer the number one priority. Because of his efforts, the three dealerships that make up Callari Cars are now poised to celebrate a combined 100 years of excellence. Last year, BMW of Darien celebrated its 50th year in the car business and while it continues to grow and evolve, its roots are still the constant mantra of 1967, honesty, integrity; product knowledge and service are the cornerstones of its success.

In its 4rd year, the NEAM Father’s Day Car Show takes advantage of its surroundings on the spacious lawns of the Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum which provide a scenic backdrop for a spectacular collection of classic cars. The show provides a wide variety of attractions for car owners and spectators alike including tours of the Mansion and the neighboring Stepping Stones Children’s Museum as well as great BBQ food, ice cream and games.

The addition of BMW of Darien as Presenting Sponsor highlights the selection of the BMW 2002, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, as featured European marque.

The 2002 series was probably the most important model in BMW’s history. In the early 60’s,

BMW 2002 introduced in 1968 (Photo BMW Blog)

although small cars like Isetta, 600 and 700 kept the Munich company alive, its image was mushy and the financial outlook was still poor. It was the 2002 series that changed its fate. This little 2-door sedan redefined the image of BMW. It combined a powerful engine and agile handling with solid German build quality and practical 4-people accommodation into a reasonably priced package. No one else had ever done that before. From 1966 to 1977, BMW produced 850,000 units of the 2002 series. That’s more than 4 times the number of the Isetta series and each car enjoyed a much higher profit margin. The car not only brought BMW a big fortune but also established the winning formula for the subsequent 3-Series to follow and sales success that continues to this day.