Westport, September 23, 2008 -- More than 5,000 visitors and spectators enjoyed the fabulous display of historic automobiles and motorcycles on the grounds of the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, CT. Located just one hour north-east of New York City, the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance has truly become one of the leading events in the nation. The event attracted owners of more than 200 vehicles for display at the show. Chairman William (“Bill”) Scheffler: “We are delighted with the feedback we received this weekend from spectators, sponsors, charities and authorities participating in our event. We will be back next year with an even bigger and even more magnificent event”.
This year’s concours awarded prizes in 31 classes. The Best of Show Award was split to a domestic and a foreign vehicle. Best of Show Domestic was awarded to the 1963 Chevrolet “Pininfarina” Corvette Rondine owned by Michael Schudroff of Greenwich, CT. Mr. Schudroff just purchased the car this January when it was for sale for the first time ever from the Pininfarina factory, where it had remained all its life after being displayed at the 1963 Paris Motor Show as a show car. Michael Schudroff: “It is such an exciting opportunity to own a car like this. Not only is it a one-off, but also it has truly meant so much to Pininfarina that they only parted with it after 45 years. I am delighted to receive this prestigious award for my car; it underlines its importance in the history of the Pininfarina company.”
John Long of Toronto, Canada, received the Best of Show Foreign Award for his immaculate and ultra-rare 1938 Tatra T77a that he even drove in the 50-mile Nutmeg Tour for Autism on Saturday before the Concours. Says Long: “I bought this car in Russia in 2000 and then took six years to restore it in the small town of Kopřivnice, Czech Republic, where the Tatra automobiles were originally built. I’d like to thank the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance and judges for awarding this very rare automobile this important prize and hope it will raise the profile of Tatra automobiles and it’s designers Hans Ledwinka and Paul Jaray. While the Tatra possesses amazing leading edge engineering, the fantastic attention to aerodynamics transforms it’s shape into the realm of art.” In 2007, the Tatra T77a was a key exhibit in the acclaimed “Modernism” exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC.
Both Best of Show winners are true examples of the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance’s mission to celebrate “100 Years of Significant Motor Vehicles.” All awards given at the weekend are listed on fairfieldcountyconcours.com. The Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance also featured programs tailored to benefit a number of local charities, including AIND/Giant Steps School, Southport, CT, and Hall- Brooke Behavioral Health Services in Westport, CT. AIND/Giant Steps School and Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services are working together to develop services for the evaluation and treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Westport Rotary Club is also a beneficiary.
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