Last weekend the inaugural Turtle Invitational Concours d’ Elegance was held at the Turtle Garage in Bedford New York. The festivities were a smash success and we look forward to hosting the event again in 2019. We had an incredible roster of cars, but moreover, a great group of passionate car enthusiasts. The weekend began on Saturday night with a fundraiser barbeque at the Pray Achievement Center in Bedford New York. Sunday’s show began with a short tour through North Salem and culminated with an awards ceremony and catered lunch. We had a broad array of incredible classic cars which are all chronicled in the photos that follow.
TURTLE INVITATIONAL MISSION STATEMENT: The Turtle Invitational is an event about people who love cars.
“Pebble Beach has the Quail, Bedford has the Turtle”
Rules (subject to change often and without notice):
- Bring your sense of humor. Leave your attitude
- No drama queens, no trailer queens
- We operate by the 1960 southern racing credo, “We run what we brung.” You must drive your car to the event. If the D Type doesn’t start, bring the small bumper 911 or the 95 Impala SS
- You must bring a written paragraph as to why the car you brought is important to you, not why it is important
- There will be judging and awards given by a blue ribbon panel of somewhat qualified judges. Categories will include:
- Best Pre-War and Post-War cars. The determining war is the Falkland Islands war. For those of you who missed it, it occurred in 1982.
- Best Hose Job – Awarded to the biggest financial disaster on the field. If you are hopelessly underwater on your car, please nominate it.
- Longest Drive – Awarded to the vehicle that traveled the furthest to attend
- Best Original Car – Pretty straightforward
- Judges’ Choice – Not straightforward and subject to influence peddling, flattery, etc.
PHOTOS BY SARAH LATTERNER SEL PHOTOGRAPHY:
J.R. Amantea’s 1968 NART Corvette won the Paul Newman award for best race car
Dicky Riegel’s 1931 DuPont won Best Pre-War Phaeton.
Scuderia N.E.’s ex-Tazio Nuvolari 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C Le Mans winner took Best of Show. Photo left to right: Judy Richter, Natalie Pray, Philip Richter, Lilly Pray
Mr. and Mrs. Zach Schulman took Sports Car Market’s Spirit of Motoring Award with their stunning D.L. George-restored Lancia
Steve Bauer took the Robert Freeman Award for best German Vehicle
Brian Beni’s stunning totally original Jaguar SS100 won best British Open Sports Car
Candids from the Turtle Invitational:
Philip Richter and Scott Coleman
Natalie Pray announcing Best in Show Award
J.R. Amantea receiving the Paul Newman Award from Lilly Pray
The Turtle Invitational Executive Committee. Left to right: Philip Richter, Alan Keeley, Andy Shapiro, Chris Hughes, Dover, Lilly Pray, Tom Champion and Tom Ferrara.
The State Police were on site to maintain order…
Awards on display. Special thanks to Lilly Pray for organizing the Turtles and Sports Car Market’s Keith Martin for the glasses.
We had a diverse display of top quality entrants
We had a lot of Jaguars….
More Jaguars
Brian Beni’s Jaguar SS100 won a highly coveted Turtle Award
Michael Rolls brought a gorgeous Buick wagon.
Jim Robinson’s luxurious Mauck was a hit. The interior resembles a Gulfstream jet.
The Mauck
Steve Bauer’s BMW Isetta
The show field at Turtle Garage
Philip Richter on his BMW R69S
The Tazio Nuvolari Alfa 8C. Winner of the 1934 Le Mans.
This Jaguar race car was a sight to behold
A beautiful AC
A gorgeous Bentley
This rare Ferrari turned heads with its stunning coachwork
Morning at the Turtle
We had drones flying overhead courtesy of Evan Weissleder
More drone shots
Philip Richter and Robert Freeman
BMW 3.0
Porsche GTR
Jay Harman’s gorgeous BMW 3.0
We had world-class Alfa’s represented by the Meccanic Shop in North Salem, New York
Great Alfa Romeo sedan
The Bedford Amphicar
BMW K1
A birch grove of BMW’s
The Carla Richter Birch Grove
BMW R69S
This car was a show stopper!
A beautiful 356
J.R. Amantea’s pair of Corvette race cars were stunning and loud!
Another XKE!
A 911 showing off….
Robert Freeman talks with America’s Finest.
A beautiful 1950’s Packard
Video by Dean Laumbach:
The Tour:
Leaving Coker Farm on the Tour!
On the road!
Nice twisty roads in the morning.
We had a lot of cars….
Judy Richter enjoying the tour!
Judy and Philip on the tour arriving at the Turtle
Dicky Riegel in his DuPont
Chris Hughes in her original Beetle that she purchased in 1972
Corvette
Porsche 911
Jay Harman’s 3.0
Land Rover
Jaguar race car
J.R. and Maris drove the iconic E30 M3
Jack Laarakkers drove the GTS
Lilly Pray drove the 964 911
Pray Foundation Dinner:
We were blessed with perfect weather
The laws at Pray provided the perfect pre-Turtle car show venue
A great gathering that Mr. Pray would have truly enjoyed.
Malcolm Pray’s personal library of automobilia
Malcolm Pray’s award display
Malcolm’s model cars
Kevin, Sarah and Finn McGowan
Touring the Pray Collection
A wonderful time was had by all
Decades of history
A great gathering of car enthusiasts
BBQ
Pray Achievement Center Executive Director Marika Satryano
Philip Richter and Robert Freeman
Lilly Pray
Tom Champion on the grill
Philip Richter presenting the Turtle Award
The gourmet food was fabulous
I’m driving up from Richmond in 2018! Won’t miss this next year…