07 May

Greenwich Concours Is Coming Back This Fall

Hagerty’s first year of running the show will see a new format, and also a preview of Concours d’Lemons.

Autoweek photo

Autoweek photo

Greenwich, Conn. – Classic car events are still dealing with postponements and cancellations in the wake of the pandemic, but later this year the Greenwich Concours will return after a hiatus in 2020. The next edition of this popular northeast event will be held on Oct. 22-24, 2021.

It’ll also be the first year under Hagerty ownership, with the classic insurance company having acquired the event in late 2019 only to have to cancel the very next edition of the concours.

There are a number of big anniversaries this year; the 2021 concours will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Moto Guzzi, the 120th anniversary of Indian motorcycles, and 100 years since the founding of Duesenberg with featured classes.

Greenwich Concours will also feature a special class celebrating the 100 years of Allard, as well as 100 years of 3-Litre Bentley cars and 100 years of Springfield Rolls-Royce. Other classes will include Lancia, Right Coast Rods, Vintage SUVs, and Ford vs. GM.

The format of the event is changing a bit. If you’ve been used to visiting American cars on Saturday and then fighting for parking space on the Sunday of Concours Europa, which sees plenty of vintage and not-so-vintage European supercars, this year is going to be a little different.

Lancia will be among the featured classes at the 2021 concours. Autoweek photo

Lancia will be among the featured classes at the 2021 concours.
Autoweek photo

Friday will see a Bonhams auction preview part as well as a Hagerty-hosted welcome party for VIPs—these two events will be invite only. Saturday will feature a Grand Tour open to all concours exhibitors that promises to cover the most beautiful roads in the border area of Connecticut and New York. The Bonhams auction will be held on Saturday, as well as Hagerty Seminars presented by the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society. A waterfront party with food and entertainment will also be held on Saturday, hosted either at the L’Escale restaurant or at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club.

Perhaps most importantly, Saturday will host a Concours d’Lemons Special Display ahead of the first actual Concours d’Lemons at Greenwich in 2022. Its arrival to Greenwich had been mentioned briefly in the spring of 2020.

Sunday will be the day (and the only day) of the main concours event itself, which will feature American and foreign cars. It’ll be interesting to see how this new one-day format for the concours ends up playing out, as the two-day schedule has been a fixture of the concours for years. The separate day for the Bonhams auction will perhaps be a welcome change right away, as the auction event has had to compete with the concours for attention on Sunday in past years, while attendee turnout on Saturday had usually been dwarfed by the crowds on Sunday.

The Saturday auction day and the one-day concours format on Sunday seems like it will be a successful change to the event, and it will allow the concours to use more of the park’s grounds on Sunday. The fall schedule should also be a welcome change this year, as Greenwich visitors have had to contend with temperatures above 90 degrees on its early June weekends, along with often-powerful afternoon thunderstorms that would roll through like clockwork at 3 P.M. sharp, right before the awards ceremonies would start.

Past years off the event have featured a very eclectic selection of foreign cars on Sunday. Autoweek photo

Past years off the event have featured a very eclectic selection of foreign cars on Sunday.
Autoweek photo

Greenwich won’t be the only concours in the northeast this fall, as the second year of Audrain’s Newport Concours and Motor Week is scheduled for September 30 through October 3. It’s very first year was in 2019, and it achieved an impressive level of spectacle just due to the location of the event itself.

2021 promises to be a very interesting year for both concours events and their satellite programs.

Visit the Greenwich Concours website for the full schedule and ticket information.

Article Courtesy Jay Ramey, Autoweek

05 Jan

Greenwich Concours d’Elegance moving to October in 2021

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TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Hagerty is transitioning the 2021 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance from its usual date on the first weekend after Memorial Day to the weekend of October 22-24.

“This was a difficult decision but we felt that moving to the fall for 2021 gives us the best chance to safely host a truly spectacular event without fear or massive restrictions for staff, volunteers, owners, judges, sponsors and attendees,” said Concours Director Tabetha Hammer.

The 25th Anniversary event – presented by Hagerty, a company dedicated to the love of driving – will take place, as usual, in Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Saturday, October 23, will feature the acclaimed Bonhams auction, family activities, sponsor test drives, popular local food vendors and beloved traditions like the Grand Tour and evening Waterfront Party. The traditional best-of-the-best Concours competition on Sunday, October 24, will feature international and domestic marques. Featured classes will include Ford vs. GM, Lancia, 100 Years of Duesenberg, 70 Years of Allard, Right Coast Rods, Vintage SUVs, and 120 Years of Indian and 100 Years of Moto Guzzi.

Throughout the weekend, Hagerty will add its own unique touches, including its popular “Ride & Drive,” which puts show-goers behind the wheel of cool classic cars, and the Hagerty Driving Experience, which teaches drivers ages 15 to 25 the art of operating a manual transmission.

Founded in 1995, the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, recognized by the bestselling book, “1,000 Places to See before You Die,” has grown into one of the premier automotive shows nationwide. Overlooking the famed Long Island Sound, the Greenwich Concours backdrop is the beautiful Greenwich Harbor. Located just 30 miles from the heart of New York City, the event is just steps away from the luxurious Delamar Hotel, lavish restaurants and boutique shops on the world-famous Greenwich Avenue.

Tickets will go on sale in early 2021 at GreenwichConcours.com.

About Hagerty

Hagerty is an automotive lifestyle brand with a mission to keep driving alive for car lovers and drive positive change in the world. Hagerty is home to Hagerty Drivers Club, Hagerty DriveShare, Hagerty Valuation Tools, Hagerty Drivers Club magazine, Hagerty Media, MotorsportReg, Hagerty Garage + Social, the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, the California Mille and more. Hagerty is the world’s largest provider of specialty insurance for enthusiast vehicles and supports keeping car culture alive through youth programs, the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA), the RPM Foundation and more. For more information, call (800) 922-4050 or visit www.hagerty.com.

04 Oct

Klingberg 2020 – a Drive-thru Car Show Works!

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New Britain, Conn. – What a success! The 28th annual Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Series drive-thru event on Saturday, September 26th, met with great feedback and participation that was beyond expectations. Over 120 spectacular and unique show cars ranging from 1905 – 1989 came from Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to delight the spectators. And delight they did.

Approximately 250 spectator cars drove through the show route snapping photos with their phones and taking videos. Many spectator cars went through the route two or three times. Some spectators hung out the windows or stood in the back of their truck beds, all while enjoying vintage music on their car radios. Mark Johnson, show producer, said, “We were not sure right up to the start of the event whether it was going to work, and the result has us thinking about how we can incorporate some of these elements in the future.”

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Car owners loved being back on the Klingberg campus and appreciated being part of a car show. Many said it was the first and only time they will show their cars in 2020 due to the coronavirus. “We are so excited to have an opportunity to share our love of cars with our fellow car enthusiasts,” said one owner. Please check out the outstanding collection of cars that caught our judges’ attention and praise.

Wayne Carini was again Grand Marshal of the show and brought the Rain Man car to continue his promotion of Klingberg’s work with children with Autism.

Most importantly, it was a very safe event. All state COVID regulations were followed, and 99% of people outside of their cars wore a mask. In lieu of trophies being awarded at the show, 20 awards were posted on the website after the event.

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The Vintage Motorcar Series’ purpose is to raise money and awareness for children and families dealing with the effects of trauma and behavioral health issues. Over 49 sponsors supported the event this year. Despite the COVID concerns, almost 50 volunteers helped to make the show a success and donations for individuals attending the event were generous. If you would like to donate, you can do so here.

All proceeds benefit Klingberg Family Centers, a private nonprofit providing help to thousands of children and families throughout Connecticut each year whose lives have been traumatized by abuse and/or neglect in its various forms and severe family problems.

More Information

2020 VINTAGE MOTORCAR SERIES AWARDS

Check out the award winners from September 26.

Courtesy Klingberg Family Centers

08 Sep

Race and Concours Winners from Lime Rock Historic Festival 37

Lakeville, Conn. Following five days of activities, the 37th annual Historic Festival crossed the finish line Monday to close out another successful race season at Lime Rock Park.

Andy Williams of Stamford, Conn., in a 1958 Lotus 11 (left) and Greg Amy of Middletown, Conn., in a 1974 Porsche 914-4 (right). The two raced in Group One: A Sporting Mixture — Small bore sports and sports/racers. Photo: Lime Rock Park.

Andy Williams of Stamford, Conn., in a 1958 Lotus 11 (left) and Greg Amy of Middletown, Conn., in a 1974 Porsche 914-4 (right). The two raced in Group One: A Sporting Mixture — Small bore sports and sports/racers. Photo: Lime Rock Park.

RACER Founder & Incoming Vintage Motorsport Publisher Paul Pfanner attended, calling it a “wonderful” event from flag to flag. It featured 212 drivers from 21 states and two countries racing historic and vintage cars that ranged from a 1925 Bentley to a 1986 Porsche. Take a look back, thanks to images from VM photographer Bill Stoler.

Although the final races on Monday afternoon were canceled after heavy mid-day rains left a portion of the circuit unsuitable for competition, 29 other races went into the record books. Get all results from Race-Monitor.com.

More than 800 cars were on display during the Sunday in the Park Concours and Gathering of the Marques. Ninety of them received an award from the judging panel. See awards for concours classes and the Gathering of the Marques

The Best in Show – Sport honor went to the 1961 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa of Ralph Lauren that had won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1961 with driver Phil Hill and defended its title the following year with drivers Joakim Bonnier and Lucien Bianchi. Best in Show – Touring was awarded to Peter Kalikow’s 1958 Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet.

The two Best in Show winners from Lime Rock Park’s Sunday in the Park Concours. Left: Ralph Lauren’s 1961 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (Best in Show - Sport). Right: Peter Kalikow’s 1958 Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet (Best in Show -Touring). Photo: Lime Rock Park.

The two Best in Show winners from Lime Rock Park’s Sunday in the Park Concours. Left: Ralph Lauren’s 1961 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (Best in Show – Sport). Right: Peter Kalikow’s 1958 Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet (Best in Show -Touring). Photo: Lime Rock Park.

More Photos: Lime Rock Historic Festival 37
Article by Cyndi Paceley
Courtesy Vintage Motorsport Magazine

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 1st Place, ’59 Jaguar XK150, Eric Herdan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3001Norwalk 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.

3002At $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

3003Anyone 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

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)

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 5rd 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)

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)

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

 

20195Subaru’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)

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)

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

05 Feb

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

garaval1Norwalk, Conn. – New England Auto Museum has announced that the Garavel Auto Group of Norwalk, Garavel Subaru and Garavel Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram will be the Presenting Sponsor of the 5rd Annual Father’s Day Car Show to be held Sunday June 16th from 10AM to 3PM at Mathews Park in Norwalk.

In its 5th year, the NEAM Father’s Day Car Show takes advantage of its surroundings on the spacious lawns of 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.

Anyone interested in showing a car at the Father’s Day Car Show may pre-register online (after April 1st) 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

garaval2Garavel Auto Group
Located in Norwalk, CT, Garavel Subaru and Garavel Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram offer quality new and used cars and are also proud to have a full car service center along with a top-of-the-line quality parts department. For more information check out www.garavelsubaru.com and www.garavelchryslerjeepdodgeram.com

14 Aug

Lime Rock Park Historic Festival’s Honored Guest Brings $40M Bugatti

Peter Mullin to be the Honored Guest & Collector at Historic Festival 36, Bringing With Him the Fabled “World’s Most Expensive Car”

1936 Bugatti Type 57S Atlantic famous as “World’s Most Expensive Car”

1936 Bugatti Type 57S Atlantic famous as “World’s Most Expensive Car”

LAKEVILLE, Conn. — Sunday in the Park Concours d’Elegance and the Gathering of the Marques, to be held on Sept. 2, 2018, as part of Lime Rock Park’s 36th annual Historic Festival, will be one of the largest showing of motorcars in the Northeast. According to organizers, more than 1,000 motorcars and motorcycles are expected to be showcased along the 1.5-mile Lime Rock Park track, including more than 50 Bugattis—a record setting amount.

Held over Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 30 – Sept. 3, 2018, the festival is the only North American classic car race and concours held in the same location. Historic Festival Chairman Murray Smith explained, “No other event in the U.S. combines a first-class Concours d’Elegance with quality vintage competition on the same property, all on the same weekend. This year, the registrations have been impressive and we fully expect to have over 1,000 vehicles on display.”

Sunday in the Park is segmented into two parts: the Concours d’ Elegance, a showcase of nearly 300 outstanding and rare entries that will be judged with class winners honored during an award ceremony, and the Gathering of the Marques with 800-plus vintage and historic cars of all types.

Peter W. Mullin, the American businessman and philanthropist, will be the honored guest and collector for the Historic Festival 36. Mullin is the founder of the M Financial Group and chairman of its subsidiary, M Financial Holdings. Additionally, he serves as the chairman of Mullin Barens Sanford Financial. He is the founder and patron of the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California.

Peter was born in South Pasadena, California near Los Angeles, California, and after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, he founded Mullin Consulting in Downtown Los Angeles in 1969. He served as its chief executive officer until 2003 and as its chairman until 2006.

Mullin co-founded the M Financial Group with Mark Solomon, Carl Mammel, and Eli Morgan in 1978. He serves as the chairman of its subsidiary, M Financial Holdings. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, it offers life insurance and other financial services to “the ultra-affluent and corporate markets.”

An avid car collector, Mullin established the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California, in 2010. Additionally, he serves as the president of the American Bugatti Club. He is also a member of the Bugatti Trust.

1936 Bugatti Type 43 Roadster

1936 Bugatti Type 43 Roadster

As well as being Honored Guest and Collector, Mullin will be racing one of his Bugatti’s during the Bugatti Grand Prix portion of the Festival and will be bringing with him four show cars, including Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic – which was described as “the world’s most expensive car” in 2010 when it was purchased by Mullin. The $30 to $40 million dollar car was purchased by Mullin in 2010 and is on display at the Petersen Museum in California.

Additional multimillion-dollar Bugattis featured at Sunday in the Park will include the 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Gangloff Drop Head Coupe from the Ralph Lauren collection as well as the Type 59 Grand Prix Bugatti of Greg Manocherian. “These Bugatti’s will be making rare and much-anticipated appearances,” Smith said.

More information about Peter Mullin will be found in The Daily Rev, the program guide available during the Historic Fest. Learn more about Lime Rock Park’s at Historic Festival 36.

1931 Bugatti Type 49

1931 Bugatti Type 49

To read more about Peter Mullins’ Bugatti’s to be featured at Historic Festival 36, upload this document overview of each vehicle.

Courtesy Lime Rock Park Historic Festival 36

23 Jun

NEAM Father’s Day Car Show Award Winners 2018

Here is a list of the big winners from our 4th Annual Father’s Day Car Show. Many thanks to our wonderful Sponsors, Show Entrants, Spectators, Vendors and Volunteers for another successful show! Mark your calendars for our 5th Annual Event next year: Father’s Day, June 16, 2019.

People’s Choice Award
– First Place ’54 Kaiser-Darrin, Courtney Fischer, Pray Auto Body
– Runner Up ’57 Chevrolet Corvette, Harvey Wagner

New England Auto Museum Award – Favorite in Show
’36 Ford Sedan Delivery, Bill Limber

Mayor’s Trophy – selected by Harry Rilling
’54 Kaiser-Darrin, Courtney Fischer, Pray Auto Body

Malcom S. Pray Jr. Award – Favorite Classic Car
’20 Stutz Bearcat, George Dragone

Bob Sharp Award – Most Fun to Drive
’23 Ford Model T, Alan Kaczegowicz

James Melton Award – selected by George Dragone
’37 Ford Fordor, Vinnie Pousada

Lime Rock Award – Favorite Race Car
’65 Shelby Daytona, Mark Schlegel

BMW of Darien Award – Favorite BMW
’02 BMW Dinan 540i, Nick Ord

CT Seaport Club Award – Favorite Preservation Car
’59 Cadillac Series 62, Anthony Gaglio

Garavel CJDR – Favorite Viper
’08 Viper SRT 10, Travis Kelly

Hagerty Award – Car That Matters
’65 Pontiac GTO, George Klitsch

NE Racing Fuels Award – Favorite Track Car
“Alley Oop” Dragster, Bobby Schlegel

Automotive Restorations Award – Favorite Restored Car
’68 Mercury Cougar XR7, Mike & Beth Peters

Black Bridge Motors – Favorite Re-Imagined Car
’36 Ford Fordor, Ray Semintini

Ord Family Award – Favorite British Car
’72 Lotus Europa TC, Simon Wilson-Taylor

Coachmen Car Club Trophy – Favorite Rod or Custom Car
’66 Chevrolet Chevelle, Joe Kish

Mayor's Trophy, Jerry Cotrone accepting for Courtney Fischer

Mayor’s Trophy, Jerry Cotrone accepting for Courtney Fischer

Fav BMW, Nick Ord accepting from Angel Fuentes & son from BMW of Darien

Fav BMW, Nick Ord accepting from Angel Fuentes & son from BMW of
Darien

Fav Track Car, Bobby Schlegel

Fav Track Car, Bobby Schlegel

Fav British, Simon Wilson-Taylor & daughter

Favorite British Car, Simon Wilson-Taylor & daughter

CT Seaport, Anthony Giglio

CT Seaport Club Award, Anthony Giglio

Fun to Drive, Alan Kaczegowicz & Jean Kremer representing SHU Interns

Fun to Drive, Alan Kaczegowicz & Jean Kremer representing SHU
Interns

Coachmen, Joe Kish

Coachmen Car Club Trophy, Joe Kish

Favorite Classic Car, George Dragone,

Favorite Classic Car , George Dragone

Hagerty Award, George Klitsch

Hagerty Award, George Klitsch

James Melton Award, Joe Pousada

James Melton Award, Joe Pousada

Favorite Race Car, Mark Schlegel

Favorite Race Car, Mark Schlegel

Favorite in Show, Bill Limber

Favorite in Show, Bill Limber

Favorite Restored Car, Beth Peters

Favorite Restored Car, Beth Peters

Peoples Choice Runner Up, Harvey Wagner

Peoples Choice Runner Up, Harvey Wagner

Peoples Choice 1st Place, Jerry Cotrone for Courtney Fischer

Peoples Choice 1st Place, Jerry Cotrone for Courtney Fischer