1958 TR of Ralph Lauren. Photo by Michael Furman.Westport, CT, July 24, 2008 – With more than 140 of the world’s most unique vintage, classic and collector cars and motorcycles participating, the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance is shaping up to be one of the leading classic car events in the US this year. Seven distinct areas of focus will manage to attract enthusiasts, collectors and visitors from all over the United States. “Amelia Island Concours Prize-Winning Automobiles” Winning automobiles from Florida’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance will be honored in a separate exhibition. One of the most stunning cars will be a […]
1958 TR of Ralph Lauren. Photo by Michael Furman.
Westport, CT, July 24, 2008 – With more than 140 of the world’s most unique vintage, classic and collector cars and motorcycles participating, the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance is shaping up to be one of the leading classic car events in the US this year. Seven distinct areas of focus will manage to attract enthusiasts, collectors and visitors from all over the United States.
“Amelia Island Concours Prize-Winning Automobiles” Winning automobiles from Florida’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance will be honored in a separate exhibition. One of the most stunning cars will be a 1938 Horch 853 A Sport Cabriolet, one of just 7 built and 5 to survive, which won the European Classic Pre-War award at Amelia earlier this year. In 2004 this car also won the coveted Best in Show award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
“60 years of Watkins Glen” celebrates more than half a century of exciting motor races at this legendary race track and brings more than 12 fabulous sports racing and single-seater race cars to Westport. The “Artful Dodgers” category typifies the unique character of the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance as its founders bring an often underestimated craft to light. Cars that were lost, gone forever, replicated or simply re-created for continued enjoyment of the public receive their day in this display.
At the other end of the spectrum the exhibits in the “Preservation Vehicles” class reflect the passage of time and have been left unrestored by their owners through the years. A special anniversary is celebrated with “The Cars of ‘58”, a turning point in the history of the American Automobile, represented by fabulous examples of this important year in motoring history, 50 years ago. “The Classic Car Club of America®” is one of America’s premier clubs devoted to collecting, preserving and enjoying the finest automobiles worldwide manufactured from 1925 through 1948. An exhibition featuring more than 15 of these cars adds to the attraction of the Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance.
Last but not least is a special “Ferrari” exhibit highlighting important and rare road and sports racing cars adorned with the legendary the “Cavallino Rampante”. One of the most breathtaking recent entries to this prestigious event is fashion icon Ralph Lauren’s 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Spider.
Arguably the most original of a total of only 34 250 TRs built, this iconic pontoon-fendered example with coachwork by Scaglietti is unusual in so far as it did not race competitively in period. With only four owners from new (Mr. Lauren being the last) and fully documented, this car represents something of a holy grail for Ferrari enthusiasts all over the world.
This particular car is extremely rare being one of only 19 ‘customer’ 250 TRs sold. It has rarely been seen in public in recent years apart from a brief exposure at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. It is certainly a fitting spot for a piece of automotive rolling sculpture that is generally considered one of Scaglietti’s greatest designs.
Equipped with a 3 liter 12-cylinder engine, the Testa Rossas of this era were among the most successful race cars of all time, dominating the 1958 World Sports Car championship, winning all the races bar one when they finished 2nd. With its fine pedigree, exquisite looks and rarity, this model is extremely collectible today, with one of the most recent sales being chassis nr. 0808, which sold at auction in 2007 for over $9 million.
Other immortal racing Ferraris which will be on display include a 1950 Ferrari 166 Barchetta, an extremely rare competition California Spider, and one of the legendary 1962 250 GTOs.
Road-going examples include a 500 Superfast and a unique one-off Ferrari P4/5 built in 2006. This car was intended by its owner as an homage to the legendary P3/4 Ferrari, of which he also owns an example. Commissioned in 2006 to Pininfarina, this car is based on the Ferrari Enzo chassis and received highest honors by Ferrari president Luca de Montezemolo in it being officially badged as a Ferrari P4/P5 by Pininfarina. It debuted in 2006 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and won the Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award at the 2007 Villa d’Este Concours in Italy. Despite its exclusive nature, this car is being driven regularly by its owner on public roads and has garnered phenomenal press attention worldwide.
