Sixth Annual Castle Hill Concours d'Elegance

IPSWICH, Mass. Majestic cars of eld - the 1931 Packard driven by the king of Sweden, the original MGA #1, the 1929 Ardent Alligator that won the Watkins Glen Grand Prix, the gold-plated "Golden Jaguar" Mark II - these are among the early registrants that will be vying for honors on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 9 to 3 in the Sixth Annual Castle Hill Concours d1Elegance at the historic Crane Estate.

They'll be among the 100 classic cars and vintage sports cars and racers in the premier classic car show in the Northeast. The event is sponsored by BMW, coordinated by the Vintage Sports Car Club of America, and presented on the expansive landscaped grounds of the Crane Estate for the benefit of The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR)...the nation's oldest organization dedicated to preserving exceptional properties for public use.

A special highlight of the Concours d'Elegance will be a display of rare classic motorcars that trace their heritage to New England. Rounding out the vintage vehicle extravaganza will be an assemblage of some 3-400 additional pre-1973 antique vehicles displayed by guests in attendance at the event.

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Background Notes:

* The Concours has been labeled by some as the "Pebble Beach of the East." In 2000 it will showcase about 100 Classic Car Club of America registered classic cars, significant vintage sports cars and racers bearing such marques as Duesenberg, Packard, Rolls Royce, Pierce Arrow, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Bugatti.

* This year a special section will be added to highlight products built and/or bodied by New England carmakers, who were quite active during the industry's formative years. With assistance from the Museum of Transportation in Brookline, Mass., this area hopes to include examples of such early New England craftsmanship as the Stanley Steamer, Bailey Electric, Metz, Wasp, Knox, Luxor, Columbia, Pope-Hartford and even Rolls-Royce.

* The Event will open to the public Sunday at 9 a.m. Concours judging will be conducted between 10 a.m. and noon, with awards announced around 3 p.m.

* Tours of the Great House and a collection of automotive art will be available, and the New Black Eagle Jazz Band will entertain throughout the day.

* Car clubs and enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their own pre-1973 antique cars for display Sunday in a special exhibition area on the lower level of the Grand Allee.

* Castle Hill is a promontory overlooking more than 2000 acres of the Crane Estate along the estuaries of the Essex and Ipswich Rivers, which includes 4-1/2 miles of shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean. The estate was the summer country residence of Chicago industrialist and plumbing magnate Richard T. Crane, Jr., and his family. Built upon Castle Hill in the mid-20s is a 59-room Stuart-style mansion known as the Great House. Its front lawn -- the Grand Allee -- stretches one-half mile to the ocean and is the staging area for the Concours and related vehicle displays.

* The Trustees of Reservations is a member-supported non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to preserve for public use and enjoyment areas of exceptional scenic, historic and ecological value throughout Massachusetts. TTOR oversees 85 reservations totaling more than 21,000 acres, and protects another 12,000 acres through conservation restrictions.

www.castlehillconcours.com