Thursday 12 June 2014

The Greenwich Concours d’Élégance

For the first time, I’ve had to honour of attending the Grenwich Concours d’Élégance and Bonhams auction.

My friend Michael Ricciardi, owner of European Motorsports of Lawrence, MA had 5 cars on consignment at the auction and asked me if I was interested in going down.



Olivier and Michael supervising the loading of his consigned beauties

My youngest son Olivier joined me, hoping to see some nice rare cars at the prestigious event.

We not at all disappointed at all because at this event, the show cars are by invitation only, assuring a high level of stunning rare vehicles on display.

At the Bonhams auction, a new record was set for a Lamborghini, $1.2 million for a lovely blue 1975 LP400 Countach "Periscopica".

The concentration of wealth in Greenwich, CT also guarantees seeing a lifetime’s worth of Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Aston Martins, Bentleys, Maseratis and Roll Royces around town … my 2007 Urban Gray Chevrolet Aveo Sedan was rarer!

Christopher Carveth found me to say Hello.



Sketch that I did on Saturday ...

... and sketch that I did on Sunday.

It was a gorgeous sunny weekend, and we met lots of wonderful people. I managed to get an on-the-spot sketch done each day, while also being interviewed by local media, TV and print.

With Greenwich being just north of New York City, Olivier and I zipped in the have lunch at the famous Tom’s diner from Seinfeld, and be shown around Madison Avenue by our new friend Kosta. Olivier then treated me to my first ballgame, where the Yankees bowed to the Mariners 2-10.


Olivier and I in front of Times Square

Kosta showing us Madison Avenue


The Mariners beat the Yankees 10-2

We reconnected with old friends and made many new friends there … worth the 3000 kms of driving. Not hitting the moose in Maine was a welcome bonus!