New life for old cars

LIME ROCK — It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Lime Rock Park, and a crowd of more than 100 people had gathered in the midway, gawking at something with looks of awe and wonder—and of course snapping away with digital cameras.

No, it wasn’t an Earnhardt or some other racing celebrity that drew this mob. It was a 1939 Mercedes Benz W 154 Grand Prix race car, which was last driven on a race track 70 years ago.

This classic car was one of many that had a rare day in the sun at Lime Rock Park’s annual Vintage Festival, held from Friday, Sept. 4, to Monday, Sept. 7.

Many models and vintages were represented, including Plymouths, Aston Martins, Porsches, Lolas, Datsuns, Triumphs and more.

They and their owners took to the track — despite not having modern safety features that are required to compete in the racing events of today.

“Many of them do not have any real horse power, or brakes, and many of them just won’t go around the track well, but they’re sure fun,� racer Pete Brittingham said. Brittingham raced his 1959 Porsche 356 over the weekend. This Northwest Corner resident knows about second chances: He has survived five liver transplants, and calls his team Liverman Racing.

“It’s all about fun and it’s all about living,� he said. “I just like to keep racing.�

Robert Millstein drove his 1953 Hansgen Jaguar Special, which won the 1953 Watkins Glen Grand Prix.

“Driving these kinds of cars is terrifying,� Millstein said. “This one doesn’t have modern safety equipment, it doesn’t have disc brakes or air bags and it’s hard to turn. But it’s fun.�

Millstein said the cars being raced and shown at the festival are museum quality.

“And they would all be in a museum in a static display if it wasn’t for this event,� he said.

Latest News

Barbara Meyers DelPrete

LAKEVILLE — Barbara Meyers DelPrete, 84, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at her home. She was the beloved wife of George R. DelPrete for 62 years.

Mrs. DelPrete was born in Burlington, Iowa, on May 31, 1941, daughter of the late George and Judy Meyers. She lived in California for a time and had been a Lakeville resident for the past 55 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti

SHARON — Shirley Anne Wilbur Perotti, daughter of George and Mabel (Johnson) Wilbur, the first girl born into the Wilbur family in 65 years, passed away on Oct. 5, 2025, at Noble Horizons.

Shirley was born on Aug. 19, 1948 at Sharon Hospital.

Keep ReadingShow less
Veronica Lee Silvernale

MILLERTON — Veronica Lee “Ronnie” Silvernale, 78, a lifelong area resident died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut. Mrs. Silvernale had a long career at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, where she served as a respected team leader in housekeeping and laundry services for over eighteen years. She retired in 2012.

Born Oct. 19, 1946, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Bradley C. and Sophie (Debrew) Hosier, Sr. Following her graduation from high school and attending college, she married Jack Gerard Silvernale on June 15, 1983 in Millerton, New York. Their marriage lasted thirty-five years until Jack’s passing on July 28, 2018.

Keep ReadingShow less
Crescendo launches 22nd season
Christine Gevert, artistic director of Crescendo
Steve Potter

Christine Gevert, Crescendo’s artistic director, is delighted to announce the start of this musical organization’s 22nd year of operation. The group’s first concert of the season will feature Latin American early chamber music, performed Oct. 18 and 19, on indigenous Andean instruments as well as the virginal, flute, viola and percussion. Gevert will perform at the keyboard, joined by Chilean musicians Gonzalo Cortes and Carlos Boltes on wind and stringed instruments.

This concert, the first in a series of nine, will be held on Oct. 18 at Saint James Place in Great Barrington, and Oct. 19 at Trinity Church in Lakeville.

Keep ReadingShow less