Concours Cars

The Army doctor, based overseas, performed surgery on a German man.  A week later he was invited to his patient’s castle.  The man’s wife thanked him profusely for his work.

The next day, back at the doctor’s quarters, a chauffeur appeared.  “Your car is here,” he said.

A 1964 Porsche 356 SC - the one to be shown at the Fairfield County Concours is white.

It was a Porsche.  So was the doctor’s patient — the nephew of the automobile manufacturer’s founder.

The doctor asked his colonel if he could accept the gift.  Of course, he was told.

Over the next several months, the nephew taught the doctor how to race.  He went through 3 Porsches.  Finally, before heading back to the States, the doctor insisted on paying for his next car.  His 1964 Porsche 356 SC — with the company’s first sunroof and disc brakes — cost $1,800.

The doctor — who lives near here, but asked for anonymity — is the original, and still sole, owner.  He loves driving that Porsche, but for most of the past 45 years it’s been garaged.

This weekend at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, you’ll get a chance to see it.  The Fairfield County Concours d’Elegance celebrates its 6th year, offering car and motorcycle aficionados 2 days of seminars, art and auto exhibitions, a scenic drive through Fairfield County, a reception and preview, a silent auction, children’s and educational activities — and a noon reveille with all vehicles revving their engines.

“It’s a fun, low-key event,” says Steve Novak, owner of a 1974 BMW 3.0CS (called “one of the most beautifully designed automobiles of all time”).  “There are lots of families with young kids.  It’s a chance to see cars you don’t always see on the street.”

Over 200 of the world’s most extraordinary automobiles and motorcycles — spanning 100 years of vehicular history — will be on display.  Among them:  all known postwar Packard concept cars;  a 1926 Pontiac 2-door coach; a 1955 Pontiac Star Chief Coupe (the oldest Pontiac still with its original owner) — plus that splendid Porsche, and its amazing back story.

(Proceeds benefit the Next Steps Developmental Center, through the Drive to Treat Autism Fund.  For more information, click here.)