The Cars of Greenwich Concours d’Elegance 2023

Wrapped in a cognac-colored coat, this 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado exemplifies everything right with 1960s car design. Owned by Paul Andres of North Wales, those unfamiliar with the Toronado may be shocked to know it was front-wheel-drive, though it didn't lose that classic American V8 flare.

After World War II, the contractual needs of the US Military decreased significantly, softening the bottom line of Willys. But with complete factories and a post-war economic boom in motion, the company decided to shift its focus to passenger vehicle production. This specific model was a first-year edition with the 2.2-liter inline-four, though the model was discontinued only two years later.

This is a well-known vehicle in the automotive world, as it starred in the TV Series "77 Sunset Strip" in addition to adorning the cover of Hot Rod Magazine, but it's so cool that it deserves another look. Owned by 3 Dog Garage Collection out in Boyerstown, Pennsylvania, the "Kookie T" roadster was built by Norm Grabowski to haul some serious ass. With 354 cubic inches, a Winfield solid camshaft, Studebaker rocker arms, a Horne side-by-side intake with four Stromberg 97s, and a Jackson Roto-Faze ignition, it's the real deal.

Similar to the Willys Jeepster, the Davis Divan was produced to capitalize on post-war car demand. Using a three-wheeled platform, the Divan was produced from 1947-1949, and only 13 units were produced. This specific model was Glen Gordon Davis' personal car and is powered by a Ford Flathead V8.

Speaking of Ford V8s, this custom-built Ford Torino Talladega was inspired by Mercury Cyclone styling and the period-correct NASCAR-style Torino. Under the hood, you'll find a 750-hp Boss 429, helping this car take best in show at SEMA in 2013.

The story of AMC is one that has fascinated car enthusiasts for generations and it's not hard to see why. Owned by Darrin Boeckel of York, Pennsylvania, he first saw the AMC SC/Hurst Rambler when he was 5 years old in 1971 and secretly bought it 12 years later, hiding it from his parents. It was previously drag-raced but now receives its attention in the form of restoration. It has an original 36,000 miles on the clock.

The color code for this Buick Century Gran Sport Stage 1 is Harvest Gold, a fitting name for the Neil Young era. This particular model is one of 42 Century Gran Sport Stage 1 units in this color, of which less than ten exist with the fitted four-speed manual transmission. Buick’s 455 Stage 1 V8 pumps out an era emissions-squeezed 270 horsepower and 390 lb-ft.

The interior of this Century Gran Sport was so clean it deserved a second photo. Check out that factory three-spoke wheel!

We'd be remiss not to include at least one photo of a Porsche, though the historic brand didn't demand the attention of showgoers this year. Driven in from Hohokus, New Jersey, this 356 B was a heavily optioned model from the factory, with ridge wheels, a full-leather interior, sunroof, luggage rack, and fog lights. It was originally owned by a Pan American World Airways Captain stationed in Germany.

Before it was bought by GM and before it produced sleeper-style hot hatches, Saab was a practical car company focused on safety. And this New York-bought 95 Estate is the perfect example of that, as it was originally owned by the founder of the third Saab dealership in the US. Current owners Bruce and Lori Turk restored it some years ago and it actually won best in show at the Greenwich Concours 20 years ago.

Given that this was a Concours d’Elegance, some classic coaches are a prerequisite. Built from 1924-1931 in Bari, Italy, the Fraschini 8A was powered by a 7.3-liter straight-eight engine and produced 115–160 metric horsepower. Once the chassis and engine were set, this coach was sent to Floyd-Derham Coachwork Builders in Philadelphia.

Also owned by the 3 Dog Garage Collection, this 1932 Ford Coupe is known as "The Avenger." This particular model was built in 1960 by the late Don Tognotti and continues to be a hot conversation topic nearly 100 years after it rolled after Michigan factory lines. It features a big 1951 Chrysler Hemi V-8 with '53 Chrysler heads and custom exhaust headers.

It's hard not to have a soft spot for Italian motorcycles, especially ones as rare as this 1992 Bimota Tesi 1D. Built from 1991 through 1994, the Tesi 1D featured a 904cc, liquid-cooled 4-stroke V-twin from Ducati and used a unique hub center front steering assembly and a more common rear mono-shock. Period reviews of the Tesi 1D remark on how planted the bike felt in hard braking and cornering, though the 400-unit model never really took off.

Norton holds a special place in motorcycling enthusiast's hearts and an even more interesting business history. But it's this model, the Norton 850 Commando, that really set the British company's place in history. And the John Player special was certainly of its time, as it featured a prominent sponsorship livery from cigarette manufacturer John Player and Sons. Only 200 were built, with 120 being exported to the US.

Named after the infamous French track, this Italian bike is one of my personal favorites from a design standpoint, though it isn't half bad to ride either. Produced from 1976 through 1992, the chassis and engine design (an air-cooled, 844cc 90-degree V-Twin) wasn't particularly original, having been largely carried over from the earlier Moto Guzzi 750. But it was a marking success and it's not hard to see why, especially considering its bikini fairing and factory cafe-racer look.