Inaugural Greenwich Concours de Sport Delights and Dismays

What does it say about a Concours de Sport when the highlight was Wayne Carini’s 1938 Lincoln K Lebaron Coupé? Well, a couple things: one, it says that the Lebaron Coupé was impressive enough to outshine the LaFerrari, new Countach, and Koenigsegg that were also on display. But it also says that none of these were necessarily de Sport. No one is going to question that they represent the zenith of performance for their time. A Koenigsegg could probably eat a Porsche 935 K2’s lunch and possibly lap a Blower Bentley on the Nürburgring. Still, when de Sport is represented by a handful of relatively indistinct—albeit beautifully presented—examples that have run around Lime Rock, there is a bit (and really just a bit) of a letdown. Neither of these won Best of Show. That went to a 1965 Ford GT40 Mk I, chassis N^o P/1030, one of the very rare road cars, never raced.

In their defense, this was the inaugural year for the Concours de Sport and props to Hagerty and all the organizers in adding it to the Greenwich Weekend. Saturday’s Concours de Sport featured over 150 cars in more than 15 judged classes. A range of hands-on activities–ride & drives, racing simulators, Hagerty Future Drivers Club and more–entertained enthusiasts and families. And is often the case at these events, the parking lot was a show in itself with, among others, several Ferraris, including two or three 812s, a 360 Challenge Stradale and a fresh from the dealership 296 GTB.

The Greenwich Concours will continue to be the marquee event in the Northeast and the good-sized crowd on hand appreciated a second day of cargazing.

“The Northeast has a rich automotive history and we’re proud to celebrate the concours’ place in global car culture. Saturday’s Concours de Sport winner, a Ford GT40 Mk I, is deserving of praise; an exceptional example of an iconic car.”

McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty

Here’s hoping that in the coming years, those crowds will grow and will be able to take in those Blower Bentleys, or a long-tailed 935s, or maybe, just maybe, a Le Mans-entry GT40.