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The sights confirmed that it was was Car Guy Heaven, even if the weather was more reminiscent of Hell on Earth. That, in a nutshell, sums up the 2008 edition of the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, a 2-day automotive carnival that never ceased to amaze, no matter how many times we walked around the grounds. Each pass seemed to reveal something new -- something we somehow missed just a few minutes earlier. As always, Day 1 was dedicated to American cars and Day 2 paid tribute to the Europeans. Oh, and temps were in the mid-90s and very humid both days. That didn't make it less awesome, though. Just more...sticky.




All photos Copyright ©2008 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

If you're in the New York metropolitan area and don't have any plans this weekend, you might want to shoot up I-95 (or jump on Metro-North) to Greenwich, Connecticut, where Bruce and Genia Wennerstrom will be putting on the annual Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. This is a spectacular event that's held over two days. Day 1 is Saturday, June 7, which will focus on American autos from every era. When Saturday wraps up, all the American metal drives off and the Europeans take over the premises for Day 2 on Sunday. As always, a supercar display will be on hand all weekend, as well as an impressive lineup of vintage motorcycles and one airplane.

Look for rides like the one-of-a-kind, Pininfarina-bodied 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Rondine that sold for $1.76 million at Barrett-Jackson this past January, as well as other vehicles of interest, such as living legend John Fitch's original Phoenix sports car. Oh, and Bonhams is auctioning off a few things that register on the Cool-o-meter, too. Admission is $25/day or $40 for both days, with the proceeds benefitting AmeriCares. Kids under 12 get free admission, and the gates open at 10:00 AM on both days.

Make sure you factor in time to browse the public parking lot outside the Concours, too. It's like another show in and of itself. Dress comfortably -- it's supposed to be in the upper 80s and humid this weekend. No worries, because despite it being in swanky Greenwich, the Concours is totally casual and totally awesome. I'll be there snapping away with my trusty little camera for Autoblog, hoping to provide coverage similar to what we brought you last year.

So, if you're in the neighborhood, go. The cars are incredible, their owners usually have great stories to tell, and you'll have a good time. The 2008 entrant list is published in chronological order in the gallery below, and all three photo galleries from last year's event are pasted after the jump. See ya there.

I saw this car at the Greenwich Concours a couple of weeks ago, where it won the trophy for Most Distinguished Rolls-Royce. The photos I've attached don't do it justice. No photo really can. It's just that kind of car. This Silver Wraith attracted people the whole time it was there, such was its innate magnetism. And now it's on eBay.

Its restoration has been performed to absurdly high standards. The finish is mirrorlike, the undercarraige is cleaner than a hospital operating room, and the engine, like the exterior, is resplendent in black, as if dipped in an inkwell. Like the rest of the car, it's a sight to behold. The red leather in the passenger compartment stands in bright contrast to the rest of the machine, and the full picnic kit stowed in the trunk contains china that's probably nicer than what's in my cabinet at home -- I'm talking about the good stuff that never gets eaten on that I got as wedding gifts. Proceeds from the sale are said to benefit an unnamed charity, whose management should be pleased to know that the current bid is already over $1.1 million. The reserve's not met yet, and the "Buy It Now" link is still active. Don't click it, though...not unless you have $2,150,000 to back up that rash behavior.

More pics after the jump. Gallery below.. Thanks to Mike for the Tip!

[Source; eBay]

All photos Copyright ©2007 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

Click image for a huge gallery from Day 1 of the Greenwich Concours

I'd never been to a Concours d'Elegance prior to Saturday. If the Greenwich Concours is the only one I'm ever able to go to for the remainder of my days, I will consider myself to be very fortunate. It's that kind of experience. Saturday's focus was American cars, and every era of motoring was represented. From gorgeous Brass Era machinery right up to the latest and greatest from the present day, walking through the concours was like stepping into a time warp where you popped into a different decade every few hundred feet.

Follow the jump for more info.

If you're in the New York area this weekend, and have a hankering for some jaw-dropping automotive eye-candy, be sure to head up to Greenwich, CT, where the annual Greenwich Concours d'Elegance will be taking place June 2nd and 3rd on the waterfront at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park.

The Concours is a labor of love for its founders and co-chairs, Bruce and Genia Wennerstrom, and as is always the case, they've assembled a spectacular variety of classic, important and rare vehicles. Among this year's highlights are the 1955 Boano-bodied Lincoln Indianapolis concept (we've seen this car in person -- it's fantastic), a 1905 Packard, a 1948 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet, a Ghia-bodied 1956 Jaguar XK140, and much, much more. In total, some 300 cars will be displayed over the event's two days.

Follow the jump for more info...

[Source: Greenwich Concours d'Elegance]