Shifting Gears

There’s one thing car lovers will always want. You guessed it: more cars. Inconveniently enough for those with such dreams, converting half the yard into a climate-controlled warehouse is not an option, and being a city dweller certainly does not help quench that unrelenting desire to test out cars with different driving profiles and technology.

NOBLEMAN Magazine set out on a search to find that ultimate man cave, and we ended up at a pier in Manhattan, ironically located next to the notorious NYC tow pound. That pier, just south of the Lincoln Tunnel, is home to the Classic Car Club of Manhattan, a warehouse with a rich history that made it a NYC landmark. Formerly a USPS location and NYPD’s mounted division, it stands today as what some would call the car mecca for vehicle worshippers who visit it to live out their petrol fantasies, with the potential of meeting interesting people along the way.

The Classic Car Club concept is the brainchild of Zac Moseley, Phil Kavanagh, and Michael Prichinello, three men with very different backgrounds who came together by way of their shared passion for not only cars, but also the culture that comes with them.

This club revolves around two aspects that come together to create a community for luxury car enthusiasts. The first is a home for some of the most iconic cars in automotive history — a place where you can live out your dream of ripping a legendary Ford GT 40 though the curves of the Hudson Valley one day, then go for Ferrari 458 Spider to dash to the Hamptons for the weekend. The second is a clubhouse, where you can unwind, brainstorm, and connect while enjoying their well-curated bar and upscale food menu. The overall relaxed environment is conductive to the full enjoyment of the venue’s rooms, waterfront deck, and cars on display.

Strike up a conversation with another member about your favorite iconic cars, all visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows separating the club from the climate-controlled warehouse, where the fleet of over 30 vehicles is kept and maintained for your driving pleasure. Perhaps you may want to compare the merits of the 1991 Honda NSX with the 2017 model, both available to drive, and while you may not settle the debate, you can still have a lot of fun talking about it. In the mood to swing by the club without necessarily taking a car for a spin? By all means! Invite a friend and grab lunch in the main dining room before jumping in the 200° simulators on the second floor for a virtual head-to-head race.

We enjoyed our time at the club so much that it became our inspiration for the cover of the Automative Awards issue and inevitably the backdrop of our shoot with Bryan Cranston.

Moseley and Prichinello have created not only a physical space where like-minded enthusiasts can interact and learn, but also a place where members can experience car culture with curated driving programs and rally-like experiences. By joining this community, your membership takes you beyond driving cars; it allows you to share in a passion.

Words by Frank Torok