Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Co-Founder Bruce Wennerstrom

Greenwich resident Bruce Wennerstrom, the co-founder of the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, one of the premier car shows in the country that draws car collectors extraordnaire from around the world, has passed away. He was 88.

An announcement from his family with the Hoyt Cognetta Funeral Home in Norwalk, said, “It is with great sadness that we tell you that Bruce Wennerstrom, the co-founder and chairman of Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, passed away this morning ( Sept. 30, 2015).”

In their statement, his family said,

“We wish to thank the many friends, physicians, and others who provided Bruce with great care, love, and support. Bruce and his wife, Genia who died in 2011, founded the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance in 1996.

Bruce and Genia were also the owners and directors of the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society, a club of automobile enthusiasts established in 1957 that meets monthly at Sardi’s Restaurant in New York City. The two shared a broad interest in cars and motorsports and thought their hometown of Greenwich was the ideal location for a true world-class concours. The Wennerstroms were successful in creating an event that is now recognized as one of the top shows in the country.

The Wennerstrom family has been an integral part of the organization, management and execution of the Greenwich Concours since its creation 20 years ago. Both the Greenwich Concours and the Madison Avenue Sports Driving and Chowder Society will continue to be operated by their children, Nord, Leif, Kirk, and Bria, as well as their daughters-in-law, Mary and April.”

The Wennerstroms founded the car exhibition, that later also included auctions of highly collectible cars including a Ferrari owned by the late actor Steve McQueen, as a benefit for AmeriCares, the international relief agency that’s based in Stamford. From its inception, former President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara have been honorary co-chairs of the benefit.

Every weekend after Memorial Day for the past 20 years, the Wennerstroms would host the two-day car show that would feature American made classics — new and old, on Saturdays. On Sundays, the models of European motorman would roar onto the fields of Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in central Greenwich where legions of car aficionados would gather.

In an interview with Greenwich Patch back in 2011, Bruce Wennerstrom discussed the attraction of the show.

The family will announce plans for a memorial tribute in the near future.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to AmeriCares, the charitable beneficiary of the Greenwich Concours: http://www.americares.org

Photo credits: #1: Genia and Bruce Wennerstrom from the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance via Facebook. #2: Bruce Wennerstrom. Credit: Barbara Heins.