A black 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL with hulking gullwing doors and red interior took Best in Show at the ninth-annual Concours D’Elegance on Sunday at the Americana Manhasset mall.
More than 150 rare, privately-owned luxury and vintage vehicles were entered into the competition for judgment in 19 categories, including Judge’s Choice – which went to a blue Chevrolet pickup truck from 1930 – and Best Vintage Car, which went to a 1910 Buick.
Official judging for the Concours began in the early morning on Sunday and continued throughout the day, culminating in a red-carpet awards ceremony featuring Wayne Carini, the host of the Velocity television network’s “Chasing Classic Cars” who acted as the event’s master of ceremonies.
Winning cars paraded the Americana’s north side, riding along a red carpet and stopping in front of the award podium and audience seating for photo opportunities with Carini and the reception of awards.
Other luxury automobiles and motorcycles not entered into competition were parked on the south side of the mall and on display for car fans throughout the afternoon.
The event’s sponsors included Tri-State Cadillac Dealers, Deutsche Bank, New York Cottages and Gardens, Plycar Automotive Logistics, Safavieh and Shawn Elliot Luxury Homes and Estates. Automotive partners include Autosport Designs, Biener Audi, Jaguar of Great Neck, Long Island Sports Cars, Manhattan Motorcars, Maserati of Long Island and Roslyn Porche.
Former Major League pitcher David Cone also appeared at the Plycar tent, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.
“The Americana Manhasset Concours is unique for the caliber of cars that are on the field, as well as for the location,” Carini said in a statement after he was named the event’s master of ceremonies. “The event draws from the origins of Concours events, in which the cars of the day served as a backdrop for the latest fashions. This event is exciting because it showcases a range of cars from pre-war to one-off supercars in a spectacular, modern fashion setting.”
The event also included a raffle to win a 2013 Maserati Quattroporte V-6, courtesy of Maserati of Long Island, with proceeds benefitting the Sunrise Day Camp in Wheatley Heights, which provides summer camp and other year-round programs to children with cancer and their families.
This year’s Concours D’Elegance also marked the East Coast debut of the Ferrari P4/5 Competizione, which finished First in Class 12 OA at the 2012 24 Hours of Nurburgring in Germany.
