Chrysler’s Chrysler Awarded “Best in Show” at 10th Annual Americana Manhasset Concours d’Elegance
The 1937 Chrysler's Chrysler made its Long Island debut on Sunday and was awarded "Best in Show" among the over 200 spectacular automobiles at the10th Annual Americana Manhasset Concours d'Elegance.
Thousands attended the event on a perfect day for one of North Shore's most prestigious concours.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
October 16, 2014
Kroplick’s Chrysler wins at Americana
Posted: Thursday, October 16, 2014 1:38 pm
BY BILL SAN ANTONIO
A 1937 Chrysler C-15 LeBaron Town Car owned by East Hills village resident Howard Kroplick won “Best in Show” at the 10th annual Concours d’Elegance luxury auto show on Sunday at the Americana Manhasset shopping center.
“To me, that show is kind of the Pebble Beach [Concours d’Elegance] of the North Shore, so it was an honor to be selected ‘Best in Show,’” Kroplick said. “It was a bit of a surprise. I always thought they would go for a more modern car. I’m very happy, surprised to say the least.”
The award was the second the car won over the weekend. On Saturday, the Chrysler won “First in Class” at the Antique Automobile Club of America’s Eastern Regional Fall Meet.
Kroplick acquired the car in January 2012 at a private auction at the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport.
First built for Chrysler founder Walter Chrysler for his wife Della Viola Forker, the car was among the first to feature spring-loaded power windows. The car had been nicknamed “Chrysler’s Chrysler.”
Kroplick had the car restored by Steve Babinsky, president of Automotive Restorations in New Jersey.
“It really had never been restored and for many years it was kept in various county garages,” Kroplick said. “The paint was peeling off. The wooden inner framework was rotting away.”
The restoration was completed in August and the car promptly won “Best in Class” at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Aug. 17.
“It’s won awards in every show it’s been in so far,” Kroplick said.
Sunday’s show featured more than 150 rare automobiles, such as a 1967 Ferrari P3/4 Chassis 0846 owned by James Glickenhaus, which took “Best Competition Car,” and a white 1912 Ford Speedster owned by Ed Virgilio, which won “Best Vintage.”
“The show itself had a lot of contemporary, modern Lamborghinis and Ferraris,” Kroplick said. “Vintage cars are not really the specialties here, so to win in that kind of context is exciting.”
The show’s guests of honor were David Donohue, winner of the 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona and a Porsche 918 client relationship manager, and automotive expert Lauren Fix.
Howard Krimko, the national director of the Rolls Royce Owners Club, served as the event’s chief of judges.
Tickets to raffle off a 2015 2015 Porsche Macan S or a $1,000 Americana Manhasset shopping spree benefited the Sunrise Day Camp in Wheatley Heights, which provides summer camp and year-round programs free of charge to children with cancer and their siblings.
Thumbs Ups and Smiles
The Awards Ceremony
Photo courtesy of Ted
Note the finish on the automobile acts like a mirror.
Receiving the Tiffany "Best in Show" glass plate.
From left to right: Howard Kroplick, Roz Kroplick, David Donohue-Champion race driver, Lauren Fix-The Car Coach and Deirdre Costa Major, Senior Vice President of Castagna Realty Co.Inc.
Video "10th Americana Manhasset Concours d'Elegance 2014 Award Ceremony"
Dat Carguy has posted this 15-minute YouTube video of the 20 award winners. The 1937 Chrysler's Chrysler makes its appearance at the 14:00 mark
Comments
From Miatasportscar on http://ferrarichat.com/forum/new-york-tri-state-sponsored-bradan/457683-americana-concours-4.html
Although most gearheads will love the exotica, my favorite car of all which was entered is the 1937 Chrysler Sedanca de Ville. It seems Walter P. Chrysler had this car custom built as a present to his wife. If one carefully studied the very, very meticulous restoration he would recognize the soft foot pillows, the deco treatment of the styling, flip down picnic trays, places for a woman’s vanities, etc, etc. All done tastefully in the Sedanca de Ville configuration. Certainly it was a hard car to beat…..kudos to whoever restored this one…it was the star of the show…
Gerry
Congratulations on winning Best in Show Howard for your car the 1937 Chrysler Sedanca de Ville( Chrysler’s Chrysler ) at the10th Americana Manhasset Concours d’Elegance 2014 Award Ceremony this past Sunday. What a great way to celebrate the Chrysler’s Chrysler debut on Long Island by winning its 1st showing here. Congratulations again on the win.
Congratulations Howard! It was good to see you and the Chrysler at the show. It’s no surprise that you won Best of Show despite the fabulous competition. The car is spectacular! I really like the interior features which are restored to perfection. It was my first time at this event and the Chrysler made the hour drive worth the trip.
I still can’t get over the magnificence of the Chrysler, I’m telling people all about it and trying to get them to come and see it or even check out the website, that you have to see this car. Thanks for posting my pictures, I knew you would like them, especially the one with the mirror shine.
From Hershey to Manhassett in 2 days. Pretty good. Did you book Lauren Fix for a date on her Car Girl TV show?