Concours D’Elegance wows the ’Dale
Exotic autos abounded in the heart of the Village.
BY DEBORAH SKOLNIK
The wheel deal Proud car owner Joe Ferrara gave the Insider a close-up view of his 1955 Buick.
Sunday, October 6th, was more than just a beautiful day: It was a beautiful day to see beautiful cars, courtesy of the Concours D’Elegance. (“Concours” means an exhibition or contest, especially a parade of vintage or classic motor vehicles.) Now in its 20th year, the show has raised more than $600,000 for local charitable organizations since its inception.
Little tan Corvette This snazzy sports car turned attendees' heads.
Two boys and their brainchild
The Concours got its start thanks to two then-sophomores at Scarsdale High School, Evan M. Cygler and Dennis O’Leary III. The pair, both auto enthusiasts, approached the town with an idea to host a car show as a fundraiser for worthy causes in Westchester. Scarsdale officials embraced the initiative, and Cygler and O’Leary received support from local government, the police, merchants, and car collectors from around the region.
Since then, the Concours has become a fixture on the Scarsdale calendar, drawing owners of automobiles ranging from ancient models to the most covetable sports cars. Most exhibitors were happy to give details on the wheels they displayed. Some were even game to give a peek under the hood, a good look at the dashboard, and to point out their license plates. (In the case of Joe Ferrara’s 1955 Buick—see video above—the plates, Florida ones, are original to the car.)
Honk if you love vintage autos A 1930 Ford on display was created the same year as Betty Boop.
Steering committee
Today, Cygler and O’Leary both work in the business field, but local car lovers have continually chipped in to ensure the show endures. A 12-member board, which currently includes father/son teams who are both civic- and car-minded, lend their efforts to create an exciting show.
Each year, graduating seniors pass along their responsibilities to younger high schoolers, creating a legacy that has already lasted two decades. The Concours is so more than just an entertaining event—it’s evidence that Scarsdale is a caring community.