This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance. The event, billed as a Festival of Speed and Style, will feature some very special cars from our own Carriage House Motor Cars, including a few of these beauties photographed on Friday afternoon.
Folks at Carriage House are having their own small show in their parking lot at 25 Railroad Ave from 10:00-5:00pm on Saturday, June 4. The Carriage House event is free and open to the public. Click for more details.
Carriage House owner Michael Schudroff said he started his business in Manhattan 46 years ago, and added the Greenwich location in 1986.
“All of these cars are works of art,” Schudroff said as he gave a tour of the vintage gems on the lot.
“Michael brings out all his personal cars that have been in storage,” said Schudroff’s wife Bebe.
First, a red Astin Martin DB 2/4, is an English car with a body made in Italy for Charles Ward of Brown & Bigelow, a company that made millions of calendars. According to Mr. Schudroff, the car was a Christmas gift presented to Mr. Ward from 50 of his sales managers in 1953.
Mr. Schudroff said the red convertible, one of only two in the world, has many extra special features, including matching red picnic boxes that fit neatly in a compartment in the back seat. Inside, Mr. Schudroff showed off a bread tin, thermos, plates and utensils.
Another car at Carriage House Motor cars is this 1952 Chrysler SWB (short wheel base) Ghia Prototype Coupe. Look closely, you’ll see there are no door handles.
“If you put it outside, someone would think it’s a new car,” Mr. Schudroff said of the pristine car. Bebe said the car has won numerous awards at various Concours d’Elegance events including the one in Greenwich. This car will be at the Concours d’Elegance in Greenwich on Saturday and Sunday.
The turquoise 1963 Pinin Afarina “Rondine,” (below) the only steel-body Corvette in the world, will be at the Concours d’Elegance this weekend as well.
The Rondine won the People’s Choice award at Greenwich Concours d’Elegance event in 2009, and Best in Show at the Fairfield Concours d’Elegance in 2008, among other awards.
“This is one of the rarest Corvettes and the only steel Corvette in the world,” said Bebe, describing the car as a one-off. “It was in Pininfarina Museum in Italy for 45 years until we acquired in in 2008,” she said.
Go to website for tickets: Greenwich Concours d’Elegance
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