2009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance to feature Terrafugia flying car among the classics

If you're an Autoblog reader and plan to be in the New York metropolitan/tri-state area the weekend of June 6 and 7, you ought to be making tracks to Connecticut for the annual Greenwich Concours d'Elegance at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. The concours is this blogger's favorite event of the year, and for good reason. The two-day showcase features American cars on Saturday, and international metal on Sunday.

Both days feature a supercar display, gorgeous wood-hulled yachts in adjacent Greenwich Harbor, and an impressive lineup of vintage motorcycles, to boot. This year, the husband-wife organizing team of Bruce and Genia Wennerstrom has arranged for the Terrafugia Transition flying car to be displayed all weekend amidst the classics. Morgan and MINI will also be featured in honor of their respective anniversaries. Bonham's has its own tent on the premises, where you can check out all the rides scheduled to go under the hammer at Sunday's auction. Finally, the public parking lot across the street from the venue becomes an impromptu show itself, loaded with classics and exotics driven in by people visiting the concours.

So, if you're available, go. You won't regret it. Admission is $20 per day, or $30 for a two-day pass, with the proceeds benefiting AmeriCares. Bring your kids -- children under 12 get in free. Parking's free, too. It's right off I-95 if you're driving and easily accessible via the MTA Metro-North railroad's New Haven Line. Complete details can be found in the press release posted after the jump, as well as the Greenwich Concours website, http://www.greenwichconcours.com. Hope to see you there.

PRESS RELEASE:

2009 GREENWICH CONCOURS d'ELEGANCE
To Feature The Incredible "Flying Car"

The Greenwich Concours d'Elegance - one of just three concours listed in the North American edition of the best-selling book, 1000 Places To See Before You Die - is noted for showing some of the rarest, fastest, exotic, most beautiful, historic and exclusive cars in the world.

For 2009 add, "the highest-flying car in the world," for on June 6-7 the Greenwich Concours will unveil for car enthusiasts for the first time what television and the popular press have called "The Amazing Flying Car." Carl Dietrich, CEO of Terrafugia, which designed and built the craft, which they've named Transition, more carefully and precisely describes the Transition as a "roadable aircraft," for it is a sophisticated two-place 115-mph airplane with a 10,000-foot ceiling that, upon landing, can fold up its wings and transform into a car in just 30 seconds at the touch of a button.

During the weekend of June 6 and 7 it will occupy center stage on the Greenwich Concours show field that includes classic Dusenbergs, Auburns, custom-bodied Mercedes, historic race cars, present-day supercars, rare motorcycles, and - floating close by - classic yachts, such as the America's Cup contender America II.

There will be two vintage Detroit Electric cars, a 1911 and a 1914 model shown by Concours entrants, in counterpoint to the new high-performance Tesla electric roadster - that can hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds! The most significant difference brought about in a century of technological advances is the high-tech batteries in the Tesla.

Among the special displays for the 2009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance will be a circle of Morgans to mark the 100th Anniversary of Morgan. With great help from the members of the 3/4 Morgan Group, over 20 of the iconic British roadsters, including a large number of the Pre-WWII trykes, the oldest being a 1928, have been brought together.

Mini, too, will be celebrating an anniversary - its 50th - and MINI USA will be serving complimentary birthday cake to everyone who visits its pavilion displaying its new convertible.

And, on a special test track at the Concours, Volvo will be demonstrating its new XC60 that features its "City Safety" automatic braking system. Designed to prevent rear-ender accidents by distracted drivers, the XC60's sensors will detect if the car ahead of you has stopped and, should you fail to slow down, will apply the brakes automatically before you hit the stopped car ahead of you.

Bruce and Genia Wenerstrom,founders and co-chairs have created a format for the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance that is unique, for itis actually two separate concours - American makes are shown on Saturday and imported marques on Sunday - plus a major auction of collector cars and automobilia by Bonhams, the noted international auction company, on Sunday. There are approximately 150 cars on display each day, ranging from 1900 to the present, plus a selection of vintage motorcycles, a select in-the-water display of significant wood-hulled boats, and - usually - a vintage aeroplane.

Automobile Magazine is the Title Sponsor of the Greenwich Concours, Motor Trend a supporting sponsor, and AmeriCares, the renowned international relief organization, is the charitable beneficiary.

One of the reasons for the great popularity of the Greenwich Concours is the extraordinary range of activities for spectators to enjoy. Both days show a circle of Supercars, a gallery of automotive artists and authors; demonstrations and workshops; delightful alfresco dining, both casual and elegant; and the fun of being able to look over - and often try out - the newest offerings of such sponsor companies as
Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Bentley, Lexus, Maserati, Ferrari, Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Infiniti, Smart, Mini, and Tesla.

Another reason is the stunning beauty of its site, Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, a verdant peninsula at the head of Greenwich Harbor, which affords cooling sea breezes and a delighful setting for alfresco lunches. alfresco lunches.

The Greenwich Concours America and the Concours International are open from 10am to 5pm of Saturday and Sunday. The admission is $20 per day, or $30 for a two-day pass, and children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Parking is free, and food service is available on site. The dates for 2009 are June 6 and 7, rain or shine.

The ease of getting to the Concours also contributes to its popularity, for it's immediately off Exit 3 of I-95, and within a block of the train station with express service from New York. And, within walking distance, is Greenwich Avenue - the Rodeo Drive of the East - with all of its many restaurants, antique shops, luxury stores, and numerous boutiques. Hotels, ranging from modest to ultra-luxe, are also close by. The Concours web site, www.greenwichconcours.com includes a map, driving directions, and contact information.

In short, for car enthusiasts, Greenwich represents heaven on wheels.