Antique, classic, muscle, racing and speciality car enthusiasts descended on Waveny Park on a crisp, cool autumn morning Sunday for 2015’s final Caffeine & Carburetors gathering.
Spectators gather around a Pagani as the Italian-made vehicle exits the popular Caffeine & Carburetors gathering at Waveny on Oct. 18, 2015. Credit: Lucy French
Town officials had approved four installments this year of the popular event, launched by New Canaan’s Doug Zumbach and sponsored primarily by Bankwell (whose Lucy French provided us the photo at right), between April and October: two downtown and two at Waveny. After foul weather forced a cancellation of the September gathering downtown, thousands of spectators ventured to the park.
Town resident and collector Peter Bush of The Fox 95.9 FM took to the microphone to emcee the event, tapping an encyclopedic knowledge of autos to describe many of the cars parked in the forecourt of Waveny House and elsewhere, while spectators sipped coffee—much of it purchased from Zumbach’s eponymous gourmet shop, which operated a stand near the center of the action—leash-walked their dogs, shot photos and video, talked shop and connected with fellow enthusiasts.
Zumbach estimated the crowd at 3,000 to 3,5000 and the car count was at 800-plus.
“I was very pleased how many residents came today, based on the high school and water tower parking lots overflowing with cars,” Zumbach told NewCanaanite.com. “A good time was had by all.”
New Canaan’s Park & Recreation Commission approved Zumbach on the Caffeine & Carburetors events in Waveny, while the Police Commission had given him the nod on the gatherings downtown. A wrap-up of this year’s events likely is in order before Zumbach seeks approval for a 2016 season. Town parks and police officials consistently have said Zumbach runs a clean, organized show, and has collected food donations from entrants to the Waveny event that go to the local pantry.
