Is 2023 the best year for Concours events yet?
You may have attended many ‘Concours d’Elegance’ in your time, even unknowingly as part of larger automotive events, but what does it actually mean? Well, the literal translation is “competition of elegance”, and derives from 17th century France where aristocrats paraded horse-drawn carriages in the parks of Paris during summer weekends and holidays. Today, the purpose of ‘Concours d’Elegance’ has naturally changed, and they are now prestigious car shows that often exhibit beautiful and rare automobiles. So, with the Concours season fast approaching, let’s have a look at some ‘best-in-show’ events that we think should be in your diary.
London Concours brings you the best luxury cars right in the centre of London. What better to pair a hot summer’s day with than a smattering of rare and valuable cars? Expect to become immersed in deep motoring history as a wide variety of celebrations such as the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 RS and 60 years of Lamborghini will be taking place. So, take a break from your road trips and appreciate the beauty of some fantastic vehicles in the intimate setting of the gardens of the Honourable Artillery Company.
June is lining up to be a busy month filled with automotive events, and taking place in the same week as London Concours, on 11 June in the beautiful Hove Park, Brighton and Hove Concours & Classic Car Show is a great opportunity to take a drive to the coast and get the chance to see some amazing cars. Only cars manufactured before 2005 will be admitted so prepare to see some golden oldies. Organised by the Brighton and Hove Motor Club, owners of classic cars can enter their pride and joy for just £5 per car.
July promises to be just as action-packed, starting off with the immensely popular Heveningham Concours. We are huge fans of this event, and it promises to be one of the most memorable motoring events you’ll visit, giving you access to some of the rarest cars the world can offer. Taking place over two days, 8 and 9 July, the event will this year be celebrating the centenary of the Le Mans, and it kicks off what is now fast becoming known as the UK’s unofficial ‘Car Week’. The event will give you the chance to feast your eyes on around 50 world-class automobiles, which will be uniquely displayed on the stunning garden terraces on the grounds of the impressive Grade-I listed Heveningham Hall. With large crowds at the Goodwood Festival of Speed the following weekend, this quieter two-day event in Suffolk is the perfect outing for any car enthusiast.
Rather than watching the Goodwood Hill Climb every year, it might be a great idea to wander into the quieter side of the Festival of Speed, taking place from 13 to 16 July. The Style et Luxe Concours by Cartier is guaranteed to be equally as breath-taking, albeit a little less noisy than the rest of the grounds! We recommend taking the opportunity to appreciate the cutting-edge beauty of many classic cars on display, all of which showcase the very best in automotive design and engineering. The panel of judges who decide on the ‘best-in-show’ don’t just come from the automotive industry, either, and instead consults people from very different professions such as academics, architects, and singers that allows for a more unique judging process.
Located in the picturesque setting of Grimethorpe Castle in Lincolnshire, on July 29 you’ll have a chance to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the motoring events in the South and get to see some truly amazing cars. The event celebrates cars made in the ‘Unexceptional Era’, which refers to cars made between 1968 to 1998. Therefore, if you own a car made in this period and you think it’s worth the £25 entry fee per car, sign up on the event website. You might want to hurry, however, as there are only 50 places up for grabs.
How can we make a list of Concours events to attend and not include Pebble Beach? Arguably the jewel in the crown of Monterey Car Week, this renowned USA-based event has been a staple in many car enthusiasts’ diaries for over 70 years. On August 20, expect to see some of the finest cars in the world competing against each other for ‘Best in Show’. Some of the cars competing in this event are so rare that you might’ve never seen them in your life, and probably never will again, either. Take a flight to the other side of the pond and experience the very best Pebble Beach has to offer.
With more than 70 cars across many categories, Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace offers a variety of priceless cars from grand tourers to exciting new concepts and is a firm favourite in annual automotive calendars across the board. Last year’s ‘Best in Show’ was a 1956 Ferrari 250 GT TdF by Zagato, widely considered to be one of the rarest and most beautiful sports cars of all time, this year, the line-up for this year features cars from legendary brands such as Aston Martin, McLaren, and Radical Motorsport. A firm favourite for us, this year it takes place from 30 August to 2 September, where sports cars, luxury brands and car collectors collide.
From 1 to 3 September, petrolheads from around the world will descend upon the grounds at Hampton Court Palace to have a look at some of the most beautiful classic cars in the world. If you want an idea of just how special the Concours of Elegance is, and how much detail goes into every single part of the event, the trophy, made from silver, takes six months to sculpt. If you need another reason to go, how about exclusive displays such as the 75th anniversary of Ferrari or a display of rare and original pre-war coachbuilt cars? Last year’s ‘Best in Show’ was a 1938 Delage D8-120 ‘de Villars’, which just goes to show the enchanting and interesting cars this event offers.
Although a date hasn’t yet been announced, Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille is always regarded as a must-attend event for all car lovers. Taking place sometime in September, Chantilly promises to bring visitors a fusion of cars and fashion, where iconic marques from the automotive world such as Bugatti, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce will be displayed alongside some of the biggest names in fashion such as Giorgio Armani, Hugo Boss and Balmain to name a few. Just a stone’s throw from Paris, and making it an ideal end location for a summery drive, head to the grounds of Chantilly castle, where stylists and designers team up and parade together.
What better way to end the Concours season than on the other side of the Atlantic with a trip to Motor City? The 2023 Detroit Concours d’Elegance will showcase the very best the city has to offer whilst honouring the rich history of Motor City and the impact it’s had on the automotive world. Also featuring motoring icons from around the world, we can’t wait to attend this historic event from September 22-23, which has been a prestigious staple in the American automotive calendar since 1937.
Here at Marc Brunel Recruitment, we are more than excited to attend a few of these events this year. With our recent expansion into the USA, we’re more enthusiastic than ever about the automotive events stateside and appreciate the growth and importance of the USA as a major automotive producer and contributor of more than 100 years.
So, whether you’re based in the USA or the UK/Europe, and are looking for a career in the automotive industry, we’re here to help. Contact us at info@marcbrunel.com today or click on our Candidates section to find out about our latest vacancies.
– Akash Cheeda
