The Boston Cup

The Boston Cup on Boston Common

A cool fall Sunday welcomed the fifth year of The Boston Cup held on September 25, 2016. 100 classic cars and vintage motorcycles were displayed around the Parkman Bandstand in the center of historic Boston Common. Classes included American, British, German, Italian, Special Interest, and a new category ‘Boomers’ for the baby boomer crowd.

Five years have given the organizers the opportunity to tweak the show here and there. The result is a must-go-to event in Boston for northeast car enthusiasts. Not a traditionally judged Concours, the show brings an eclectic mix of century old to vintage to new vehicles to Boston Common. Also, the show attracts a wide array of street to super cars and motorcycles, plus a few special interest vehicles. The Boston Cup rule is that no vehicle can return to the field for four years, a nice idea to keep the rotation fresh.

On Friday night the organizers held a get together for participants and sponsors at the Shreve, Crump & Low store on Newbury Street in Boston. Saturday night was a cocktail party for The Boston Cup at the Ritz Hotel, including an auction of several Chopard watches and a trip to the Cayman Islands.

Very early Sunday morning the field cars arrive and onto the old bricks of Boston Common, an experience unto itself. I (the greeter) was there at 5.30am in the pitch black cold, but it’s just plain cool to drive across Boston Common. Think of driving through Central Park. Or driving onto a golf course or a beach. Driving off-road without lines and lanes especially in a classic vehicle is a nice turn.

The vehicles were organized by country of origin and year. The show is free to spectate, and fences keep the majority of spectators on the brick pathways, with cars (and owners) nicely displayed, somewhat zoo-like, but fun. Only banded participants, sponsors, and ticket purchasers can enter the fenced-in area with the cars. This format works very well when considering the thousands of people that venture through Boston Common on a Sunday. Some are out for a run or stroll often with dogs and kids and carriages, some are there for the car show, others for other reasons, yet everyone seemed very pleased with the event. Car owners tend to be quite friendly, with each other and enthusiasts in the crowd. Who doesn’t like to talk about one’s car all day?

Lunch and two goodie bags of car stuff were provided for participants. The Boston Cup draws many car owners and enthusiasts from New England making the event a great car day.

Arapix courtesy of Ara Gechijian

The Boston Cup on Boston Common

1961 Maserati 3500 GT Tourer

red 1960 Alfa Romeo SZ1 - The Boston Cup on Boston Common

1960 Alfa Romeo SZ1; won Second Place in the Italian Class

1959 Ferrari 250 GT PF Coupe

1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina

1966 Volkswagen Bus

Fenway Park Bullpen Cart - The Boston Cup on Boston Common

(arapix)

Fenway Park Bullpen Cart owned by the Red Sox; during the late 1960’s and 70’s the bullpen cart was a familiar staple that drove relief pitchers from the bullpen into the game