Westport, CT – September 14, 2010 – Known as one of the nation’s preeminent lifestyle events celebrating automotive and motorcycle design, the 7th annual Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance held Sunday, September 12, 2010 attracted more than 7,500 enthusiasts to the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, CT. More than 230 cars and motorcycles from across the nation were showcased during the Concours.
The coveted Grand Prix d’Honneur (or Best in Show) award for a domestic vehicle went to a 1940 Duesenberg SJ, owned by Gary Bahre of Alton, NH. The winning Bahre Duesenberg, known as the “The Last Duesenberg” or “Bauer SJ,” because of it’s original owner Rudolph Bauer, is not only the last Duesenberg ever built, but also represents one of only 36 factory supercharged cars manufactured and counts 10,000 original miles from its three owners since new.
A 1931 Bugatti Type 54 Roadster, owned by the Mullin Automotive Museum of Oxnard, CA, received the Grand Prix d’Honneur award for a foreign vehicle. The Type 54, a car which combined both sporting and coach-built luxury, is one of only eight Type 54’s manufactured by the French marque and the only example built in roadster form. This car also holds the honor of winning Best in Class at the 1999 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Special exhibits this year included the 24 Hours of Le Mans and “Styled by the Wind”, a collection celebrating automotive aerodynamics and included the stunning, one-of-a-kind 1939/47 Rolls-Royce Phantom III “Vutotal” Cabriolet by Labourdette, brought to the Concours by the John W. Rich Museum in Frackville, PA.
Also displayed was a collection of eight vehicles representing the elegant coachwork of Howard “Dutch” Darrin, including vehicles from the collections of Ralph Marano, Malcolm Pray and Drake Darrin, Dutch Darrin’s great-nephew.
Special judging classes this year included: Porsche, Bugatti, Barn Finds, Aston Martin and Motorcycles. The Barn Finds class, a first for the Concours, was home to eight cars sourced from across the country as a result of a national barn finds search conducted earlier in the year. Entries varied from a 1911 Flying Merkel motorcycle to a 1963 Chevy Corvette, with a class win, based on Concours guest’s votes, being awarded to Wayne Carini of Portland, CT for his 1965 Saab 96. Carini, the host of Discovery Channel’s “Chasing Classic Cars” will include a segment on the Fairfield County Concours in an upcoming episode of the show.
Internationally recognized auction house Bonhams conducted a one-day auction where exceptional consignments were seen, including a 1956 Aston Martin DB2/4Mk II Drophead Coupe, one of six left hand drive examples of the model. Also going to a new home was a 109 year-old, 1901 De Dion Bouton Motorette “brass era” car.
Additionally, avid collector Drake Darrin and champion SCCA racer Bob Sharp were both presented with “Sharing the Passion” awards, Bob Sharp for his individual contributions to the automotive hobby and Drake Darrin on behalf of the Darrin family and their contributions to the hobby.
“Our goal has always been to make this a great show for car enthusiasts and their families alike,” said Bill Scheffler, Chairman of the Fairfield County Concours. “We had a fantastic turnout this year and the field was full of vehicles that could be appreciated by everyone.”
The second annual Car and Motorcycle Club Celebration day took place on Saturday, September 11, 2010, where there were more than 300 vehicles from 10 regional clubs in attendance as well as a Bonhams auction preview. Seminars included “Getting The Most from our Hobby” – by Kent Bain of Automotive Restorations, Inc., “Vintage Racing” – by Bob Sharp, and “Auto Valuations” –by Rob Sass and Dave Kinney of Hagerty Insurance.
Additionally, the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance held its annual Nutmeg Tour for Autism and the “Toast the Tour” fundraiser reception presented by St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation on Saturday, in support of the Drive to Treat Autism Fund, which provides diagnostic and treatment services for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Concours Class Winners:
People’s Choice: 1958 Dual Ghia
Sports Car Market, Significant Vehicle: 1961 Lancia Flaminia Touring GT
Porsche Cars North America, Significant Porsche: 1955 Porsche Speedster
Founder’s Award, Automobile: 1938 Bugatti Type 57C
Founder’s Award, Motorcycle: 1929 Indian Sidecar
Motorcycle We’d Most Like to Ride Home: 1930 Henderson KK
Art in Design (Provided by Automotive Restoration, Inc.): 1933 Auburn Speedster
Ladies’ Choice: 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS
Most Elegant Open Vehicle: 1934 Packard Victoria
Most Elegant Closed Vehicle: 1964 Jaguar MK II
Most Exciting Open Vehicle: 1965 Aston Martin DB5
Most Exciting Closed Vehicle: 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT
Most Exciting Sports Car (Presented by Callari Auto Group): 1907 Fiat Targa Florio
Best Sports Car: 1965 Ferrari Superfast
FIVA Presentation Award: 1929 Ford Sedan Deluxe
Hagerty Young Judges Award: 1912 Thomas Flyer 640
Spirit of Pioneer Motoring: 1912 Thomas Flyer 640
Technical Excellence (Provided by Automotive Restorations, Inc.): 1913 Peerless Model 48
Barn Finds: 1965 Saab 96
Historically Significant Motorcycle: 1913 Schickel 2-stroke
Pre-War Foreign: 1928 Bentley 4.5 Litre
Pre-War Domestic: 1940 Duesenberg SJ
Post-War 1946-1958: 1956 Jaguar XK 140 MC
Post-War 1959-1966: 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire
Post-War 1967-1979: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette
Post-War 1980-2011: 2006 Ford GT
Field Presentations:
Porsche: 1956 Porsche 356A Speedster
Bugatti: 1928 Bugatti Type 43
Aston Martin: 1959 Aston Martin DB5 MK III
Motorcycle: 1923 Grindlay-Peerless
For more information, please visit: www.fairfieldcountyconcours.com.