Concours d'Elegance
Encyclopedia
A Concours d'Elegance dates back to 17th Century French aristocracy, who paraded horse-drawn carriages in the parks of Paris during Summer weekends and holidays. Over time, carriages became horseless and the gatherings became a competition among automobile
owners to be judged on the appearance of their automobiles. These commonly are held at automobile shows
or after racing competitions. Notable Concours d'Elegances include Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
, Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
, Ault Park Concours d'Elegance (Cincinnati), Keeneland Concours d'Elegance, and Louis Vuitton Classic in midtown Manhattan.
Concours exist for motorcycle
s as well. The annual Dana Point Concours d'Elegance
is a good show; once again jousting with the Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance
on which of the two events will eventually be called the "Pebble Beach of the South." A Concours d'Elegance has been taking place at the Hurlingham Club in London for over 20 years, originally called The Lois Vitton Concourse d'Elegance now simply called Concours d'Elegance
Numerous local organizations sponsor 'Concours' events; traditionally vehicle judging at a Concours d'Elegance is much more demanding than that of a neighborhood or general automobile show. Trained judges examine the vehicle thoroughly and in its entirety. They rate each and every component. Only those vehicles that are judged perfect (or very nearly so) in every way, are considered eligible for trophy class.
Often the competitiveness of a Concours d'Elegance forces restoration
of a vehicle to surpass 'mint' condition. Mint condition would be the state of the vehicle when it originally left the factory. Concours-quality cars often are given upholstery, paint, plating
, and mechanical restoration to a standard far exceeding that of the car when it was new.
Concours d'Elegance competitions also are run for classic cars. Here, the emphasis is as much on originality as the condition, although this also is very important. The general aim is to present a vehicle that is in the same, or better, condition than it was in when it left the production line. Unless original, modifications are not allowed, and components must be suitable for the year and model of the automobile. Even components or features fitted to automobiles of the same type, but in a different production year or trim level, are not allowed. Original-equipment-accessories from the manufacturers own range are allowed and some competitions allow after-market equipment and accessories, provided they are of the correct period. On top of this, automobiles must be presented in flawless visual condition, as with other Concours-grade cars.
Often Concours d'Elegance quality automobiles are not driven, except for short distances from their trailers to the show fields. They are not intended to be used as daily drivers and often, are not seen outside of museums or private collections. Even after driving only the short distance to the show field, the car is 'staged'—errant bits of dirt or pebbles removed from the tire treads, bits of grass or mud wiped from the under-carriage. The vehicle is maintained constantly and dusted frequently to keep an absolutely flawless appearance while on display.
, not far from Pebble Beach and features "oddball, mundane and truly awful" automobiles in contrast to the prestigious models displayed at Concours d'Elegance events.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
owners to be judged on the appearance of their automobiles. These commonly are held at automobile shows
Auto show
An auto show, or motor show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year...
or after racing competitions. Notable Concours d'Elegances include Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is a renowned elegance competition for classic and vintage cars. It has taken place every year since 1929 during the last weekend of April in Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como, Italy...
, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is an automotive charitable event held each year on the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, considered the most prestigious event of its kind. It is the finale of a week long festival of classic cars events in the Monterey area every year...
, Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is an automotive charitable event held each year during the second weekend in March on the Amelia Island Golf Links at Amelia Island, Florida...
, Ault Park Concours d'Elegance (Cincinnati), Keeneland Concours d'Elegance, and Louis Vuitton Classic in midtown Manhattan.
Concours exist for motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s as well. The annual Dana Point Concours d'Elegance
Dana Point Concours d'Elegance
The Dana Point Concours d'Elegance is an automotive charitable event held each year on the Monarch Beach Golf Links at the St. Regis Resort in Dana Point, California. It is operated primarily as a Classic Car Club of America Concours, with additional classes showcasing interesting and relevant...
is a good show; once again jousting with the Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance
Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance
The Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance is an automotive concours held yearly in Palos Verdes, California.- Nearby Concours d'Elegance :* Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance * Dana Point Concours d'Elegance...
on which of the two events will eventually be called the "Pebble Beach of the South." A Concours d'Elegance has been taking place at the Hurlingham Club in London for over 20 years, originally called The Lois Vitton Concourse d'Elegance now simply called Concours d'Elegance
Numerous local organizations sponsor 'Concours' events; traditionally vehicle judging at a Concours d'Elegance is much more demanding than that of a neighborhood or general automobile show. Trained judges examine the vehicle thoroughly and in its entirety. They rate each and every component. Only those vehicles that are judged perfect (or very nearly so) in every way, are considered eligible for trophy class.
Often the competitiveness of a Concours d'Elegance forces restoration
Automotive Restoration
Automobile restoration is the process of repairing the degraded aspect of a car to return it to an overall "authentic" condition. To renovate a car without updating or upgrading it by keeping in line with how it would have appeared when first offered for sale...
of a vehicle to surpass 'mint' condition. Mint condition would be the state of the vehicle when it originally left the factory. Concours-quality cars often are given upholstery, paint, plating
Plating
Plating is a surface covering in which a metal is deposited on a conductive surface. Plating has been done for hundreds of years, but it is also critical for modern technology...
, and mechanical restoration to a standard far exceeding that of the car when it was new.
Concours d'Elegance competitions also are run for classic cars. Here, the emphasis is as much on originality as the condition, although this also is very important. The general aim is to present a vehicle that is in the same, or better, condition than it was in when it left the production line. Unless original, modifications are not allowed, and components must be suitable for the year and model of the automobile. Even components or features fitted to automobiles of the same type, but in a different production year or trim level, are not allowed. Original-equipment-accessories from the manufacturers own range are allowed and some competitions allow after-market equipment and accessories, provided they are of the correct period. On top of this, automobiles must be presented in flawless visual condition, as with other Concours-grade cars.
Often Concours d'Elegance quality automobiles are not driven, except for short distances from their trailers to the show fields. They are not intended to be used as daily drivers and often, are not seen outside of museums or private collections. Even after driving only the short distance to the show field, the car is 'staged'—errant bits of dirt or pebbles removed from the tire treads, bits of grass or mud wiped from the under-carriage. The vehicle is maintained constantly and dusted frequently to keep an absolutely flawless appearance while on display.
Parody
A parody of the Concours d'Elegance concept in general, and the Pebble Beach event in particular, is the "Concours d'LeMons" (a play on "competition of lemons"). It was first held in August, 2009 in Monterey, CaliforniaMonterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
, not far from Pebble Beach and features "oddball, mundane and truly awful" automobiles in contrast to the prestigious models displayed at Concours d'Elegance events.