Thousands of spectators turned out on a beautiful Father’s Day Sunday in Beverly Hills, California for the annual, invitation only Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance. This year, themed “the Jet Age” featured two jet-powered cars and a new Lear Jet, with wings removed, parked on the street — the first time ever an airplane has appeared on Rodeo Drive (one of the world’s most exclusive and expensive shopping districts, something the Lear did nothing to diminish). Some one hundred rare and antique automobiles were invited to participate. Prominent among them a 1941 Tatra T87 owned by Dydia DeLyser and Paul Greenstein.
The mostly American spectators were intrigued by the Tatra: a truly rare automobile in the US, many compared the car to the Tucker (one of which, previously owned by the Tucker family themselves, was positioned near the 87), or the Porsche (represented by several vintage examples, as well as a contemporary display from the company) only to learn that the Tatra was first. Many of the Europeans visiting the Concours, on the other hand, recognized the T87 immediately, offering nostalgic stories of their pasts and eagerly asking for details about this car’s production and restoration. The questions most commonly asked overall: “What country made this?” “Is this from Russia?” “Where’s the engine?” Tatra friends, we have more educating to do!
(Sent by Dydia DeLyser)
Categories: Events & Meetings
June 17th, 2013