Concours d'Elegance Celebrates 20 Years in Scarsdale

John Vasta and his red CorvetteOn Sunday, October first, approximately 125 cars filled the streets of Scarsdale Village for the 20th annual Scarsdale Concours d’Elegance. Cars, both old and new, came from all over. It was an unusually warm autumn day, with temperatures rising to a balmy 75 degrees. The sun was a welcome change from the deluge of rain in the days leading up to the Scarsdale Concours and people were happy to be outside and enjoy the last few days of summer weather.

Twenty years ago, two Scarsdale High School sophomores, Evan M. Cygler and Dennis O’Leary III, launched the Scarsdale Concours with the support of the Scarsdale Police Department, and the enthusiastic endorsement of village officials. All proceeds from the car show support three local charities: Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service, the Scarsdale Police Benevolent Association and Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc.

As attendees meandered through the show, many participants shared interesting stories about the sentimental significance of their cars. Nick Pagani displayed a white and gold Buick Invicta Custom that had been in his family for 60 years. Pagani explained that it his father was very proud of the car and it was his first air conditioned car. When Mr. Pagani was a young boy, his mother would take him out to drive this car, and she would press the pedals, while he sat on the center console and steered. As he grew older, he enthusiastically lobbied his father to keep the car. As he didn’t yet have his license, his father was reluctant to give it to him but eventually agreed. In 1971, he became the owner of the car. The car has never been restored and still has the original paint, interior, and engines. There is a badge on the grille from the Buick Club of America, marking it as an archival car, and a benchmark for car restoration. The car holds a very special meaning for Mr. Pagani, and it was clear that he was proud of the car and its history.

We also met John Vasta who showed us his red Corvette Fuel-Injected Split Window Coupe. This amazing car has 26,000 miles on the A Buick Invictaodometer, and a paint job that’s 50 years old. Vasta has owned this car for 25 years.

Jim Babchak told us that he has been coming to the Scarsdale Concours for years. This year he brought an Auburn Boattail Speedster, which true to its name, was made in Jim Babchak and his Auburn Boattail SpeedsterAuburn, Indiana. This car was originally designed in 1935, but Mr. Babchak explained that it is what is referred to as a “generation two” car. Glenn Pray bought the rights to the design and reissued the car in the 1960s and 70s. Until two years ago, the car had been in a garage for 40 years. Mr. Babchak was able to fix the gas tank, gas lines, and brake lines so the car was drivable, all the while keeping the original paint and interior.

The show includes vintage cars including a Citroen, a VW camper, an historic Good Humor truck alongside the latest models of BMW's, Porsches, Mercedes and even a baby blue Moke.

After 20 years, the event is still going strong. In the words of founder Evan M. Cygler, who attended the show on Sunday, “[It is] all about the people”.

Kate Hubell is a sophomore at Scarsdale High School.

1/8