Greenwich: Notes From Auction & Concorso
By Gunnar Heinrich
JUDGING by the grosso quantity of Alfa Romeos, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Lancias, Maseratis, and assorted other Italian beauties of all vintages (ever heard of a Dual Ghia?), I’m convinced that Mr. and Mrs. Wennerstrom should rename the Greenwich Concours:
“Il Greenwich Concorso D’Eleganza: Rappresentazione Delle Automobili Italiani Più Belle Nel Mondo”
That said, the parking lots for Concours visitors (always a show unto itself) were surprisingly free of Italian wheels but featured, rather, the usual German suspects – including this SL generational trio (R121 | W113 | R230, respectively)
But, if the parking lots were brimming with Teutons and the lawns of Roger Sherman Baldwin park graced by so many Italians, the Bonhams Auction; or sweat-in (damn it was hot!), offered up for sale an assortment of both nationalities plus a large catalog of British makes.
Yours stayed just long enough to spy the Jaguar XK120 that was on the lot (at $40K the car had some wear ‘n tear) and to be awe inspired by a most immaculate 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I saloon, and, lastly, watch a 280SL sell for just over $20K.
It must’ve been the heat as ADL and Co. repaired to a nearby marina bistro for shade and cool libations.
EXCELLENTE
The Greenwich Concours did not disappoint this year. Any gear head in the tri-state area is best served by going there and coughing up the $25 entrance fee.
Reading news bits of the show online, I was sorry to have missed Autoblog’s Alex Nunez who posted a great assortment of shots from the show.
My favorite automobile on display at the event (show and auction) was a 1948 powdery blue on cream Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith convertible made-to-measure by French coachbuilder Franay.
If there were such a thing as the perfect expression of automotive art, that custom Silver Wraith was near-perfection elegantly expressed.
Perhaps the Concours should keep its name en français after all.
Special thanks to Bruce Wennerstrom.
About the Author: Gunnar Heinrich is publisher of Automobiles De Luxe online and is executive producer of the Automobiles De Luxe Television series on PBS member station CPTV.
steane | Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
Great coverage and beautiful cars Gunnar. In Australia it would be quite rare seeing this many hard to come by classics at the one gathering so you are very lucky.
steane | Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
The Z8 has long been a favourite of mine. There is one on display at a local BMW dealer near where I work but you never see them on the road in Oz – mores the pity.
Gunnar | Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
Indeed, Steane. The sheer caliber of autos on display boggled the imagination.
gunnar | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
I’m with you on the Z8, Steane. I don’t care that too many found it “too retro”. The roadster had more style in one of its exhaust pipes than an entire M6 convertible.