A 1927 Mercedes-Benz Model K was chosen as this year’s Best in Show at the 25th annual Greenwich Concours d’Elegance which returned to Roger Sherman Baldwin Park after a two-year hiatus.
“The car world has a belief system. And the belief system is that certain cars are just super important, deserving of celebration and recognition,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty. “The Mercedes-Benz Model K selected as best in show represents that greatness – one that the judges recognized following significant deliberation. A very special thanks to all entrants, their teams and the winners.”
The 2021 event marked an evolution of the famed Connecticut Concours’ weekend program. Saturday’s inaugural motoring festival featured seminars, the unexceptional cars of Concours d’Lemons, RADwood favorites from the ’80s and ’90s and Porschella by CarPark, a celebration of all things modified Porsche. A range of hands-on activities – ride-and-drives, racing simulators, slot car competitions, Hagerty Youth Programs and more – entertained enthusiasts and their families.
On Sunday, both domestic and international marques were celebrated at the 25th Annual Concours d’Elegance.
Central to the weekend’s festivities was the Grand Marshal, Pixar Animation Studio’s Creative Director of Franchise, Jay Ward. A slate of expert judges, including a record number of women, focused on design, style and elegance while selecting this year’s winners.
Photo: Greenwich Concours
The Best in Show trophy was awarded to the 1927 Mercedes-Benz Model K displayed by Michael and Joannie Rich. M-B introduced the Model K in 1926. It used the same six-cylinder switchable supercharged (kompressor) engine as its predecessor and the same overall chassis architecture except that the wheelbase was shortened to 130 inches (the “K” stands for “kurzer radstand” or “short wheelbase”). The 6.2-liter engine was equipped with a larger supercharger similar to those fitted to the later S models making it one of the fastest production cars of the era with a top speed exceeding 90 mph. From the right side of the bonnet/hood emerged three metal exhaust pipes merging at the lower edge to a single exhaust. This detail later became a hallmark of all Mercedes-Benz supercharged cars.
Fleetwood was chosen to provide coachwork for this unique vehicle after its owner, William Sloan of Rochester, New York, saw the Fleetwood-bodied Isotta Fraschini Roadster prepared for Rudolph Valentino at the 1926 New York Auto Salon.
