BOCA RATON CONCURS DE' ELEGANCE - February 22, 2015

[Dick Koch]

The Belvedere convertible was accepted for the Boca Raton Concurs De' Elegance.

http://www.bocaratonconcours.com

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Wow! Why would it not be accepted there! Congratulation Dick, to be accepted to a Concours d'Elegance. That is a Automotive pinnacle perfection to be accepted.

Let us know how it goes!

John Q.

[Dick Koch]

Thanks, Will do John - Good to hear from you, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Dick.

[Dick Koch]

Boca Raton is about 35 miles from my house. We had to be on the show field by 7:45. When we got there to line up to go on the field there must have been 50 or 60 trailer queen trailers unloading their precious cargo. Everything was very elegant, special spots already designated for your car and each category (mine was Jet Age) had their own host. Another guy helped me with the Convertible boot and your goody bag was delivered to the car. Our category had five Chrysler Imperial convertibles owned by one guy, a 58 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, a Tatra with the shark fin, a Studebaker Golden Hawk, a Chrysler Dual Gia (he won 3 awards) a 64 Studebaker Avante, a 59 Plymouth Belvedere Convertible and a 62 Ford Thunderbird. I met and shook hands with Wayne Carini, he brought a totally untouched and un-restored 53 Studebaker with a little over 7,000 miles on it. Rolls, cakes and Coffee were available at no charge to participants along with lunch, lunch consisted of various local eateries and restaurants serving samples of their specialties which were ample and delicious. Seeing that at my age I have to take frequent trips to the John I was really impressed with the facilities. There were portable trailers with carpeted stairs, the entire interior was pecan wood paneling, granite sinks, mirrors et. al. Hell the crapper at my house isn't that elegant. No award for the Convertible, it's hard to compete with owners that have deep pockets and can have a car restored to perfection (better than factory). The only consolation is they buy their trophy's, they don't earn them.
Oh well!! I can truly say it was a thrilling experience and Yvonne and I loved every minute of it.
Will send more pictures later.
Dick

[Steve Storey]

Thanks Dick. I liked yours best. Actually the greenery was impressive too!! Gonna be 15 below tomorrow.

[Dick Koch]

Holy S--- Steve! 15 Below!!!! Catch a flight to Florida before it's to late.
More pictures to follow.
Dick.

[WDJ40]

Looks like a nice show with some really nice Museum quality cars.

You have a 35 mile drive? Cool. Car Shows all Year round ... you are a lucky guy.

I would have loved to see the show but I have a 1363 mile drive from Connecticut.

I have been invited a an Invitational Show in Connecticut this Spring if our 30 inches of snow ever melts.

Post up more photos from the show.

[Dick Koch]

Here are some more pictures. Lots of Classics, Dusenberg, Auburn, Chrysler, Pierce Arrow, Packard, Cadillac, Mervin, Buick, Rolls Royce, Bently, Jaguar. Can't remember them all or the years of the pictures below.
That's all folks,
Dick.

[Mark Merritt]

Dick: I like the last picture best,awsome!!!!!!!! Mark M

[WDJ40]

Wow. Some really nice automobiles that you never see at most car shows and cruises.

The low mileage unrestored 1953 Studebaker that belongs to Wayne Carini will be on a television episode on his show Chasing Classic Cars. Wayne is from Connecticut and I have met him many times. Wayne does appear in person at many of our local Connecticut car showsand is very generous with his time. He own F40 MotorSports which is located in Portland Connectciut which is about 35 miles from where I live.

The Kaiser Darrin is a really rare car ... one of the guys in a local car club has the rare green model.

I never cared for those Fiat Jollys. The 1960 Plymouth Valient has a rare color ... I am sure it must be stock Chrysler paint.
The post war Chryslers are great cars too.

I love the Pierce-Arrow, the Auburn Boat Tail, the Dusenberg and the Packard. But I would have to say the Chrysler Dual Cowl Phaeton is the car I would love to own. Also your 1959 white Plymouth Fury convertible would look great in any garage too....

By the way, a nice photo of you and your wife ...

[Dick Koch]

Wayne Carini was standing by his car when I went by, I had seen him at a Auto Geek show in Stuart, Fl. a couple of months ago, I brought the Convertible, he walked past me several times but didn't even see me. At the Boca show I walked up to him introduced myself, shook his hand, told him what a nice car he had, he shook my hand mentioned the car was all original and walked off.
Nice guy?????
Dick.

[WDJ40]

Sorry to hear he just walked off when you introduced yourself. Sounds like Wayne is too busy to make small talk with you.
Wayne is in a different league than most of us working class car guys so I am not not surprised he walked off ... although I have met him on several occasions he never has spoken to me one-on-one.

I won't bad mouth the guy though since he makes appearances at out local Connecticut car shows that raise money for local charities including the Lion's Club for Eye Research and for children with disabilities. I believe that Wayne has a grandchild with disabilities.

By the way congratulations on being invited to the Concours d'Elegance.

[big m]

Thanks for the photos, Dick, I really enjoyed them.

Looks like you had an excellent time as well!

---John

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Great Pics Dick! Your car and your bride look outstanding! Can't believe she stayed with your 54 years...She deserves a medal for that!

John Q.