Ferrari, Porsche, $100 Million of Autos

Bradford Rand and his team, including Andrew Levitt at RAND Luxury, produced a private charity brunch & concours in collaboration with Ferrari of Long Island, Manhattan Motorcars, Morgan Stanley, Rémy Martin / Louis XIII and more. It was invitation-only. Entrance, $295 to $395 per car. And it was sold out well in advance.

A “concours” has a special meaning. Cars at least 10 years old, that is dating to before 2014, are judged on a 100-point system. Cars that were driven to this location probably weren’t even in competition. They were probably owned by backyard hobbyists who want their carefully washed and waxed Ferraris and Porsches to hang out with their cousins.

It’s like a big state fair, but every home-made pie is worth $100,000 and up. Way up. And like a state fair, there is a lot to see and to compare. There is something for every taste.

Some people just wanted to see 1961 Ferrari GT 250 California Spyder. Red. It’s got to be red. It was the car Tom Cruise drove in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and for some people it remains the quintessential teenage dream of sportscar heaven. Even if that teenager is a grown person.

That car is also considered one of Ferrari’s greatest achievements, and has fetched astounding prices at auction.

(Photo Rob Rich/Society Allure)

This is a Porsche 1600 Super, circa 1956-1958. Note the lovely roach back, so common with cars in those days. Why do old sportscars look so much hotter, more romantic, than newer ones?

The cars that are in serious competition were trucked in. After those cars were restored they may never have been driven. These are the precious cars that were discovered in someone’s garage and then taken apart and put back together. Every nut and screw perfect, to the millimeter. Every inch of the car, the leather, the spokes, the tires, the brakes, the reflectors — every conceivable part of the car and probably the interior of the glove box –is perfect. To what that car would have been when it was made.

That car gets 100 points in its class.

In each category, Porsche and Ferrari, there was one best in show.

People, including Georgina Bloomberg, walking around the Fishels’ estate on August 5 were enjoying themselves to the max. They were staring at cars. Not just Ferraris but Porches. A few BMWs. And some other luxury cars. There might have even been a Lambo in the mix. People were enjoying the sideshow of luxury watches, Cohiba cigars, Remy Martin, all of it offered by young women who seemed eager to preen, pour, and serve. There was food galore.

Ivan Wilzig (some call him “Sir”) points to a Masserati MC20, with gullwing doors. about $220,000. (photo Rob Rich/Society Allure)

The cars were parked here and there near where polo ponies had sweated just weeks before: the Bridgehampton estate of Kenneth & Maria Fishel. And plenty of their friends came by for the show.

Lauren Roberts, Katlean de Monchy, Deanna Amato and her daughter, Maria FIshel, Ruth Miller (Photo David Warren)

It was to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which is dedicated to finding cures for cancer, and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.

Consuelo Vanderbilt Constin (photo Rob Rich/Society Allure)

The annual event showcased one of the largest gatherings of collectible spectacular vintage and new Ferrari motorcars the Hamptons has ever seen. Some vendors said the vehicles present were estimated to be worth more than $100 million. Maybe. These people do like to exaggerate.

Jerry and Terry Turco (photo Rob Rich/Society Allure)

In the interests of sanity, we’ll go with half $75 million.

Bradford Rand (Photograph Rob Rich/Society Allure)

A series of automotive connoisseurs and celebrity judges reviewed nearly 80 handmade Italian masterpieces in the concours, led by Chief Judge Glenn Simon. In addition, the Hamptons Concours featured new vehicles from luxury brands including Aston Martin, McLaren, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley.

French-Baharani luxury brand Qannati, known for its wearable art jewelry, had on display pieces valued from $85,000 to $200,000. And now to the winners.

Of the Porsches, the Number one car was (and try not to hold its color against it), this 1992 Porsche 964 Turbo: