Concours d' Elegance Draws Classic Car Lovers

The twelfth annual Barrington Concours d’Elegance, a charitable showcase for classic cars, took place at the on Sunday. Despite the sweltering heat, automobile fans turned out to inspect the approximately 120 examples of unique, cars and motorcycles.

The collections were listed under eight sub-groups, American Pre-War,

American Classics & Legacy Club, European Beauty, American Style,

Italian Style ,Timeless Preservation, Japan Rising and Two-Wheeled Power and were spread out across the greens of the country club.

All makes and models of car aficionados wandered through the gleaming examples of lovingly cared for autos. Owners sat nearby to point out the highlights of the cars, many of which were Italian made in keeping with the theme of the afternoon. 

There were many American classics on display as well, but nine-year-old Jack Kalm was there to have close encounters with his car of choice: the Ferraris. 

“I just like them,” he said.

Accompanying Jack was his dad Nick Kalm who wasn’t surprised to learn of his son’s interest in the high performance cars.

“I knew he loves Ferraris and I knew he loves, cars,” said the elder Kalm.  “That’s the main reason we’re here, although I like them too.”

“When I go away on business trips, he likes me to come back with car magazines.” Dad said.  “He even convinced me to get a fun car-a 2011 Camaro convertible in mid-life-crisis red.”

Young Jack most likely spent some time with Bobby Lebovitz’s pride and joy, a 1973 Ferrari 246 GTS. Lebovitz sported a bright yellow polo shirt to match his machine.

“It’s my car,” he said.  “And I’m going to own this car as long as I’m alive.”

Lebovitz purchased the car in 1988 in less than stellar shape and has had it restored to its former glory. 

“I’ve always liked this car,” he said. “I was always enthralled with this car; they way it looks, the way it runs, the way it drives, the way it sounds.  I just like everything about it.

Len Vinyard feels just as strongly about his collection of early Ford V-8s. 

“I’ve been collecting cars for 39 years,” he said.

Vinyard pointed out the highlights of his fully restored Ford Deluxe, including a bawdy story about the rumble seat. 

“It’s almost exactly like it was,” he said. “This is the last one with the rumble seat, the bulb headlights and a floor shift and the first one with hydraulic brakes.”

“I couldn’t afford it when I was a kid,” he added.  “Now I can.”

The charitable event will benefit the Barrington Area Conservation Trust, an organization that works to protect open space in the Barrington area.