Greenwich is Destination for 20th Concours d’Elegance and Carriage House Motor Cars

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.

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Vintage Mercedes with its “gold wing doors” at Carriage House Motor Cars, June 3, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

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Vintage Mercedes with its “gold wing doors” at Carriage House Motor Cars, June 3, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

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.

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This red Astin Martin DB 2/4, an English car with a body made in Italy, will be at the Concours d’Elegance on Sunday. Credit: Leslie Yager

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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.

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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.

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The 1963 Rondine is an extremely rare Corvette, at Carriage House Motor Cars, June 3, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

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The Rondine, which translates to a Swallow bird in Italian, at Carriage House Motor Cars, June 3, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

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The 1965 Astin Martin DB 5 convertible is one of just 19 factory left-hand drive ever made. The DB stands for David Brown, who owned Astin Martin.

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The 1965 Astin Martin DB 5 convertible is one of just 19 factory left-hand drive ever made. The DB stands for David Brown, who owned Astin Martin.

Go to website for tickets: Greenwich Concours d’Elegance


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