events | New England Auto Museum

10 Jun

NEAM Presents to the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society

New York, New York – This week the New England Auto Museum was invited to present to the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society’s monthly luncheon at Sardi’s Restaurant in Manhattan’s Theater District. The group is headed by Greenwich Concours Chairman Bruce Wennerstrom and has been meeting regularly for over 57 years. It is made up of influential car industry personalities and enthusiasts who enjoy the opportunity to trade stories and learn the latest news in the automotive world each month. Representing NEAM were President Mike Scheidel, Marketing Director Nick Ord and Advisory Team members Bob Sharp and Roger Garbow. Fittingly, the other speaker at the luncheon was Kit Foster who talked about his book “The Stanley Steamer: America’s Legendary Steam Car” which details the history of the famous Stanley Brothers’ exploits at the dawn of the motoring age. The concept of an automobile museum being established in Norwalk Connecticut was well received by the group and there were constructive contributions provided in the Q&A session. As summed up by Bob Sharp, “This was an opportunity to raise awareness of the museum project in the wider automotive world and gain new insights and perspective on our efforts from people who know the industry inside and out.”

Sardi’s in Manhattan’s Theater District

Bob Sharp speaking to the Chowder Society

02 Jun

Klingberg Festival Honors Dads with Wayne and Bob Carini

New Britain CT June 2, 2014 – Klingberg Family Centers will be hosting their 22nd Annual Vintage Motorcar Festival on Saturday, June 14. The event is held on the agency’s 40-acre hilltop campus in New Britain to raise support for their programs serving children and families across Connecticut. A special emphasis on recognizing Dads makes this a wonderful way to celebrate Father’s Day weekend. Wayne Carini of Velocity’s “Chasing Classic Cars” and his Dad, Bob Carini serve as Grand Marshals of the festivities.

The event features a traditional antique car show (1972-older) plus an exclusive Concours d’Elegance display of truly vintage, pristine and rarely seen automobiles. A highlight of the show will be a number of Connecticut-made cars from the turn of the 20th century including the Corbin manufactured in New Britain, the Pope-Hartford and the Locomobile.

Amy Kirby of the New Britain Historical Society is arranging for a group of local actors to perform full-costumed portrayals of area businessman like Colonel Albert Pope and Philip Corbin who influenced the burgeoning auto industry in Connecticut in the early 1900s.

There will also be an assortment of “Super Cars” on display by invitation, including Corvettes, Ferraris and Maserati’s.

Professional DJ and announcer Dave Salonia provides a fabulous selection of vintage music and oldies favorites for the crowds to enjoy all day long. Dancers from the Fred Astaire Studio in West Hartford and the Stardust Dancers will light up the dance floor with a selection of ballroom and vintage dances throughout the show. New this year is a photo booth where friends and families can take fun snapshots to bring home as a memento of their day together. An expanded variety of children’s activities and entertainment make this a fun-filled day for kids of all ages.

Spectator admission $10.00; Seniors 65 and over $8.00; Children 12 and under free. ALL spectators’ parking is free at The Rock Cats Stadium at Willow Brook Park. Prompt and efficient free shuttle service will be provided by DATTCO. No dogs or alcohol allowed. Proceeds benefit Klingberg Family Centers’ programs serving children and families across Connecticut. For more information, directions and weather-related updates visit www.KlingbergAutoShow.org or call (860) 832-5526.

01 Jun

Darien Collectors’ Car Show in Gear for June 15

Darien, Conn. – The ninth annual Darien Collectors’ Car Show rolls into Tilley Pond Park at West and Lakeside Avenues, Darien, Connecticut, on Sunday, June 15, 2014, 11am – 2pm. Spectacular vintage, modern and high-performance automobiles will be the stars of this perennially popular show. The rain date is Sunday, June 22.

This community gathering attracts 2,000 visitors to share camaraderie and view the more than 120 historically significant show cars from Darien and surrounding towns. Last year’s People’s Choice award went to Michael Silverstein’s 1966 Ford GT40 Mk2A endurance racing car built under license from Carroll Shelby. This year’s lineup promises beauty and speed with a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, a 1958 Jaguar XK150 Convertible, a 1960 Austin-Healey Mark I Sprite, a factory-spec 1965 VW Sedan, five Lincoln Continentals spanning 20 years and three 1960s Cadillacs, among other highlights.

The Darien Lion’s Club will offer barbeque lunch on the show field from 11am – 1:30pm; picnic tables and chairs are dotted throughout the Park. The show website provides additional information, www.dariencollectorscarshow.com
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Charlie England, show organizer, extols, “The Darien Collectors’ Car Show on Father’s Day is a celebration of families, fathers and interesting cars…especially unknown cars that may not have been seen in some time. To this we add the sheer beauty of Tilley Pond Park’s mature trees, rolling lawns and fountains, creating one of the most perfect venues in Lower Fairfield County. Admission is only $5.00; car owners and children aged six and under enter for free. Parking across West Avenue is also free and abundant. Come join us!”

The Darien Collectors’ Car Show benefits At Home In Darien, helping Darien seniors live in their own homes and community as long as possible. www.aginginplacegallivant.org.

Sponsors for the show include BMW of Darien / Callari Auto Group.

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22 May

Greenwich Concours d’Elegance Showcases the Fastest Cars on Earth and in the Air

New York, New York (PRWEB) May 20, 2014 – The world’s fastest street-legal car, the 270-mph Hennessey Venom GT will slow down long enough to spend two days at the Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance, May 31st and June 1st at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, Connecticut. It will be joined by the latest version of America’s only flying car, the Terrafugia Transition®.

These two extremes of automotive technology will join 250 of the most beautiful classic automobiles in the world on a verdant peninsula in Greenwich Harbor. The two-day Greenwich Concours, now in its 19th year, uniquely features American classics on Saturday and imported classic models on Sunday. Show-goers can also board Sunseeker Yachts and America’s Cup 12-meter yachts on both days.

2014 is of course the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang and the 100th anniversary of Maserati, and the Greenwich Concours will celebrate with special displays for both. The Mustang display includes the Shelby GT350R that American racing legend Mark Donohue raced early in his career.

Speaking of racing legends, another unforgettable highlight of the 2014 Greenwich Concours will be the one-of-a-kind 1966 Fitch Phoenix, a sports car designed by one of America’s greatest drivers, and World War II fighter pilot, John Fitch (1917-2012). The Greenwich Concours might be a last chance for many to see the dramatic Phoenix, as it will be auctioned off by Bonhams.

In another Greenwich Concours tradition, spectators will be able to check out the latest models from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Cadillac, Maserati, Aston Martin, Ferrari, McLaren, Bentley and Volkswagen, the event’s many prestigious sponsors. A special section of classic Cadillacs will celebrate the brand’s history from 1900’s to the glorious postwar tailfin era.

AmeriCares, the international relief organization, is the charitable beneficiary of the Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance.

Two Events In One
Unique among classic automobile events, the Greenwich Concours has, since its inception in 1996, presented two separate concours events over a weekend: The Greenwich Concours Americana features American cars from the 1900s to the present, and Sunday’s Greenwich Concours International is exclusively for imported sports, competition and touring cars.

Each event features some 125 cars and awards trophies for Best-of-Show, Peoples’ Choice and various classes. And, so it is possible to see classic American Auburns, Cadillacs, Cords, Duesenbergs, Packards and Pierce-Arrows along with Corvettes and 1960’s muscle cars on Saturday, and then Bentley, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce models and many others on Sunday. Classic American and imported motorcycles are on display both days.

Featured as the poster car for the 2014 Greenwich Concours, the Fitch Phoenix will be offered for sale in the Bonhams auction on Sunday, June 1st that is part of the Concours event. Among other ultra-rare cars to be displayed are a 1914 Detroit Electric Brougham once owned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s mother-in-law; a one-of-a-kind 1950 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith; one of the few Russian-made Volgas in the country, and a Glasspar G-2, which preceded the Chevrolet Corvette as one of America’s earliest fiberglass sports cars.

Return of the Flying Car
The Terrafugia Flying Car prototype made its debut at the 2009 Concours. This year, the near-production Terrafugia Transition®, the only light-aircraft designed to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, will display its conversion abilities on the Concours show field.
Wayne Carini, the well-known collector and the host of the Velocity Channel’s “Chasing Classic Cars” TV show, will serve as Grand Marshal for the Greenwich Concours. Noted Packard collector and actor Edward Hermann will be chief judge. Radio host Bob Long will broadcast live from the Concours for two hours each day.

Featured sponsors include Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce, Volkswagen and Sunseeker Yachts. All the sponsoring auto companies will have new vehicles on display.

Classic Racing Yachts
The Greenwich Concours uniquely offers an amazing opportunity for sailing enthusiasts. Berthed across from the Concours grounds in Greenwich Harbor, the ex-America’s Cup 12-meter yachts America II and Lionheart will be on view for Concours spectators to look over the magnificent vessels.
Like the competition cars on display at the Concours, the majestic racing yachts represent the pinnacle of their period’s technology for generating speed, in this case on water.

Bonhams Auction Open to Spectators
The Bonhams Auction of rare and important collector cars and automobilia on Sunday, June 1st allows Concours spectators to view the consigned vehicles on Saturday, included with Concours admission.

There are usually another 90-100 classic automobiles to see in the auction tent, many of them rarely seen models from private collections. (Admittance to the auction tent on Sunday requires purchase of a catalogue by bidders and spectators.)

AmeriCares
Ranked as one of the most efficient charitable organizations in the country, AmeriCares has since 1982 delivered more than $11 billion in aid to help people in 164 countries. The organization responds to humanitarian emergencies including earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes, and was on the scene with aid during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Greenwich Concours Basics
The Greenwich Concours Americana and the Concours International are open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. The admission is $30 per day, or $45 for a two-day pass, and children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Parking is free, and food service is available on site. The dates for 2014 are May 31 and June 1, rain or shine.

The ease of getting to the Concours also contributes to its popularity, for it’s immediately off Exit 3 of I-95, and within a block of the Metro North train station with express service from New York and Boston. And, within walking distance, is Greenwich Avenue – the Rodeo Drive of the East – with all of its many restaurants, antique shops, luxury stores, and numerous boutiques. Hotels, ranging from the modest to ultra-luxe, are also close by, with the Delamar, the host hotel, right at the Concours site. The Concours web site, greenwichconcours.com includes a map, driving directions, and contact information.

No wonder the North American edition of 1000 Places To See Before You Die lists the Greenwich Concours as one of those places!

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/GreenwichConcours/ClassicCars/prweb11869416.htm

16 May

Mille Miglia. The start the second leg.

Yesterday the crowds gave a warm welcome to the Mille Miglia, travelling through the Veneto and at their arrival in Padua. This morning the departure from Thermae Abano Montegrotto, bound for Rome, where the teams are expected at Castel Sant’Angelo for 10.30pm.

Brescia, May 16th, 2014 – The Mille Miglia set off again this morning, direction Rome. The passage through the Veneto was marked by a warm reception from the crowd. Last night’s ranking ended with Cane and Reichle in first place (driving a Bugatti T 37), followed by Vesco and Guerini driving a Fiat Siata 514 MM and Moceri & Cavalleri in an Aston Martin Le Mans.

Photos from 2013 Mille Miglia

“I want to congratulate the Mille Miglia and its organizers” – said Angelo Sticchi Damiani, President of the ICA – “and I also wish to thank all of the ACI organisations involved along the course, both for helping with the organization and with the welcome given to the teams throughout the legs in the different areas. ”

At the moment the convoy of the Mille Miglia has passed through Ferrara and the ranking has changed. In first place we find Moceri and Cavalleri, followed by Cane and Reichle and, surprisingly, by Takemoto and Takemoto in the Bugatti 35A.

After stopping for lunch in San Marino, the cars will set off again, this time for Rome, where they will arrive in the beautiful setting represented by the gardens of Castel Sant’Angelo, at around 10.30pm.

Mille Miglia on social networks

All information and updates on the Mille Miglia can be found on the website www.1000miglia.it and, after registering on the press site, also on www.press.1000miglia.it , on which press releases, photos and video footage of the race will be made available. You can also follow the Mille Miglia on social networks: Facebook (official page of the Mille Miglia), Twitter (@millemiglialive) and YouTube (Mille Miglia Channel).