Fairfield County Look - Guys and Wheels, Part 1

Guys and Wheels, Part 1

Photography by ChiChi Ubiña

Howard Brodsky was born and raised in Westchester and currently lives on his farm in Bedford with his wife Lori, son Kyle, 13 and daughter Madeline, 9. He is the CEO of New York Health and Racquet Clubs. Charities he is involved with include Yale Cancer Center and the soon to be launched Ridge Farm Foundation that will be dedicated to rescuing slaughter bound horses.

When did you start collecting cars?
I started collecting cars 13 years ago, but have dreamed about cars since I was eight. As a child, I could name any car when I looked out of the back of the family sedan and saw the grills of oncoming cars.

What was your first “nice” car?
My first nice classic car was a 1972 Mercedes 4.5 Sedan that I restored. I always wanted that car because as a boy my neighbor had a silver and black 4.5 that I would offer to polish any time he wanted...

How does your collection reflect who you are?
I would call my collection eclectic and covers several different decades. My collection ranges from Italian 60's super cars to 50's American cruisers. I have such vast interests in sports, music etc. My '57 T-Bird takes me back to my love of classic 50's rock. My vintage jeep allows me to enjoy my farm.

Are you involved in car clubs or groups?
The only groups I am involved in are the North American MGA club for my 1960 roadster and the North American MGB club for by 1977.

What is your personal style and how does your collection reflect that?
My personal style is casual, I love to play team sports and I try new things... As I get older I am trying to do as many new things as possible to riding horses, collecting and riding vintage motorcycles and soon I want to get my pilots license, but most of all, I want to spend as much time with my wife and children, as possible.

What part of being a collector do you like best – purchasing, restoring, driving, maintaining?
Driving! Every car is a different experience and takes me back to a different time in history... I love it!

Any favorite places you like to buy your cars?
I will buy a car from multiple places, but prefer to buy from an individual with history on the car...the history is half the fun.