The Bridge IX Pays Tribute to a Historic Car Racing Site
The ninth annual collector car show highlights an impressive collection of over 300 automobiles and gives back to the community
There are many car shows that take place on beautiful golf courses with scenic vistas, but only one that takes place on a golf course that was once a racing circuit. Welcome to The Bridge, the upstart collector car show (now in its ninth year), that takes place at the private golf club of the same name. Underpinned by a legacy of professional and amateur wheel-to-wheel racing that ran from 1957 until 1997, The Bridge offers a blend of exclusivity and authenticity that few, if any, car shows can claim, distinguishing itself as unique from the outset. No categories, no awards, just elite vehicles in a stunning environment.
The September event operates on an exclusive invitation-only basis, welcoming members of The Bridge Golf Club and their guests, as well as guests of brand partners, featured car owners and specifically-invited collectors from around the world. This selective approach ensures an intimate gathering that focuses on storytelling instead of competition and awards, all the while supporting a meaningful cause, as proceeds benefit The Bridge Golf Foundation based in Harlem. The foundation operates an intensive, year-round program combining golf and education for young men of color, working to close achievement gaps, improve college readiness and support their transition into successful careers. This partnership between automotive passion and educational opportunity adds a layer of purpose that makes The Bridge stand out from other purely social automotive gatherings.
Sunday morning’s Cars & Coffee, presented by the Bridgehampton Museum on the grounds of the William Corwith House, is another thoughtful execution of the whole weekend. Many of the same cars featured at The Bridge are on display at this event and it’s open to the general public. For those wishing to keep the party going from Saturday into Sunday, The Bridge at Topping Rose House offers a ticketed garden brunch with a menu by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Proceeds from the event benefited the Hampton’s Animal Rescue Fund and partners included prestigious watchmaker Chopard, The Hangar Group (previewing plans for a new Hamptons location) and Mercedes-Maybach, who ran test drives from Topping House throughout the weekend.
The Bridge IX united beloved returning participants with compelling first-timers across worlds of automotive, aviation, design and luxury lifestyle. Distinguished exhibitors including Luminari Motor Company, Gunther Werks, FariCars, Expedition Motor Company, Roche Bobois, Morgan Motor Company and Arcade Cars helped create a diverse and visually captivating brand exhibition experience, while Pivotal’s revolutionary Helix eVTOL aircraft captivated attendees on and off the ground. For our part we couldn’t help but stare every time the Helix took off. It was a true glimpse into the future of transportation, one that happened to be hovering over peak examples of the past.
Presenting sponsor Mercedes-Maybach showed an impressive display of current and classic models. The highlight was the “Emerald Isle” edition Maybach S 680 that recently debuted during Monterey Car Week, positioned outside in natural light that revealed the remarkable depth of its two-tone paint treatment. Volvo, another partner, celebrated 70 years in the U.S. market with a display of heritage vehicles like the 900 Sport convertible and the beloved “Amazon” sedan alongside contemporary models including the V60 Polestar wagon and the new luxurious flagship EX90 SUV. This thoughtful dose of understated Scandinavian design complemented the show’s diverse automotive landscape.
What originated as an homage to Bridgehampton’s legendary racing heritage has evolved into one of the season’s most eagerly awaited automotive events. This year’s exhibition showcased a masterful curation of vibrant aesthetics and thoughtful presentation, bridging eras and categories, from priceless masterpieces like the Ferrari 275 GTB and Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, to groundbreaking contemporary works from McLaren, Koenigsegg, Ferrari and Porsche. The quality and breadth of vehicles on display was equally as impressive as the landscape.
In addition to more than 300 cars to admire, Saturday afternoon also featured a panel discussion exploring the dynamic convergence of motorsports, contemporary art and women’s leadership in these fields. The conversation brought together Julie Mehretu, the visionary behind BMW’s 20th Art Car; Mickalene Thomas, who created the inaugural DART Car; Zoë Barry, co-founder of the pioneering female-led DART motorsports team; and Thomas Girst, BMW’s Global Head of Cultural Engagement. Under the expert moderation of DART co-founder and art advisor Spring McManus, the dialogue offered profound insights into the relationships between artistic expression, performance excellence, and cultural impact. The discussion was complemented by the East Coast premiere of BMW Art Car No. 20, Mehretu’s powerful artistic statement commemorating the 50th anniversary of BMW’s renowned Art Car program.
As the sun hid behind late afternoon clouds and eventually dropped behind the horizon on Saturday evening, we took in the whole scene from the patio of the clubhouse. We’ve been fortunate to attend the best car shows in the world over the years and each of them offer unforgettable experiences. The Bridge, however, is notably different than any other show we’ve attended in the past. Perhaps it’s the absence of awards or heavy amounts of corporate branding, but the whole thing had a welcome air of informality while still maintaining a very high degree of quality overall. The combination of historical significance, exceptional automotive displays, meaningful charitable purpose and flawless execution suggests that The Bridge will continue to evolve and become even more of a “must attend” event.
What are your thoughts?