Concours d'Elegance (French: concours d'élégance) is a term of French origin that means a "competition of elegance" and refers to an event where prestigious vehicles are displayed and judged. It dates back to 17th-century France, where aristocrats paraded horse-drawn carriages in the parks of Paris during summer weekends and holidays. Over time, carriages gave way to automobiles and the gatherings became a competition among vehicle owners to be judged on the appearance of their vehicles.
These events are often held at automobile shows, after racing competitions or, especially in the United States, as a fundraising event for charities. Many modern events also feature corporate exhibitions from luxury and sports car brands.
History The oldest still-extant Concours, the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, is held annually near the Villa d’Este hotel in Cernobbio, on Lake Como in Italy. The first of these was held in September 1929. The first Concours in North America was held in 1950 (Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance) at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Monterey, California, in conjunction with the first Pebble Beach Road Race. The longest continually-running event is the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance in Hillsborough, California, which has been held every year since 1956 (both Villa d'Este and Pebble Beach have skipped years since 1956).
Judging Numerous local organizations sponsor Concours events. Traditionally, vehicle judging at a Concours is more demanding than that of a local neighborhood or general automobile show. Trained judges examine the vehicle thoroughly. 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 are often 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. The automobiles must be presented in flawless visual condition, as with other Concours-grade cars.
Events
MonthLocationCountryEventNotesFebruaryBoca Raton, FloridaUnited StatesBoca Raton Concours d'EleganceFebruaryKarma Lakelands, GurugramIndia21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours ShowFebruaryArrowtown, Queenstown New ZealandThe Ayrburn Classic FebruaryEllerslie, Auckland New ZealandEllerslie Car Show & Concours d'EleganceMarchSydney, NSWAustraliaSydney Harbour Concours d'EleganceMarchAmelia Island, FloridaUnited StatesAmelia Island Concours d'EleganceAprilLa Jolla, CaliforniaUnited StatesLa Jolla Concours d'EleganceAprilMontgomery, TexasUnited StatesConcours d'Elegance of TexasAprilJapan (Various)JapanConcorso d'Eleganza JapanMayLake ComoItalyConcorso d'Eleganza Villa d'EsteMaySt. Augustine, FloridaUnited StatesRiding Into HistoryMayMontreal, QuebecCanadaConcours RoyalmountMayBalatonfüredHungaryBalatonfüred Concours d'EleganceJuneSan Marino, CaliforniaUnited StatesSan Marino Motor ClassicSuccessor to the Los Angeles Concours d’EleganceJuneHillsborough, CaliforniaUnited StatesHillsborough Concours d'EleganceThe longest continually-running Concours d'Elegance in the worldJuneGreenwich, ConnecticutUnited StatesGreenwich Concours d'EléganceJuneCoppet, VaudSwitzerlandSwiss Elegance ConcoursJuneCincinnati, OhioUnited StatesCincinnati Concours d'Elegance at Ault ParkJuneHershey, PennsylvaniaUnited StatesThe Elegance at Hershey (at The Hotel Hershey)JuneLondonUnited KingdomJuneChichesterUnited KingdomCartier Style et LuxeJunePiešťanySlovakiaPiešťanské zlaté stuhy – Concours d´EleganceJulyEngland, UKUnited KingdomFestival of the UnexceptionalA Concours d'Elegance-style event for classic cars considered to be 'ordinary' at the time of their manufacturingJulyForest Grove, OregonUnited StatesForest Grove Concours d'EleganceJulyPlymouth, MichiganUnited StatesConcours d'Elegance of America at The Inn at St. John'sFormerly Meadow Brook Concours d'EleganceJulyNorthville, MichiganUnited StatesNorthville Concours d'Elegance at Mill Race Historical VillageFirst youth-focused Concours d'Elegance event in the nationJulyDyck Castle, Germany GermanyMasterpieces & StyleJulyMassachusettsUnited StatesMisselwood Concours d'EleganceJulyLexington, KentuckyUnited StatesKeeneland Concours d'EleganceAugustPebble Beach, CaliforniaUnited StatesPebble Beach Concours d'EleganceMost famous Concours d'Elegance eventAugustZurichSwitzerlandConcours d'Elegance "Zurich Classic Car Award"AugustSouth Bend, IndianaUnited StatesConcours d'Elegance at CopshaholmSeptemberHampton Court Palace United KingdomConcours of Elegance SeptemberKeszthelyHungaryFestetics Concours d'EleganceSeptemberOld Westbury, New YorkUnited StatesGreat Marques Concours d'EleganceSeptemberPalace SchwetzingenGermanyClassic-Gala SchwetzingenSeptemberKemble, OntarioCanadaCobble Beach Concours d'EleganceSeptemberOxfordshireUnited KingdomSalon PrivéSeptemberRedondo Beach, CaliforniaUnited StatesPalos Verdes Concours d'EleganceSeptemberNairobiKenyaCBA Africa Concours d'EleganceSeptemberDayton, OhioUnited StatesDayton Concours d'EleganceSeptemberPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaUnited StatesRadnor Hunt Concours d'EleganceSeptemberSt. Michaels, MarylandUnited StatesSt. Michaels Concours d'EleganceSeptemberChantillyFranceOctoberPadovaItalyStelle sul Liston Concours d'EleganceOctoberNewport, Rhode IslandUnited StatesAudrain's Newport Concours & Motor WeekOctoberChattanooga, TennesseeUnited StatesChattanooga Motorcar FestivalOctoberManhasset, New YorkUnited StatesAmericana ManhassetOctoberAdelaide, South AustraliaAustraliaBay to BirdwoodOctoberMelbourne, VictoriaAustraliaMotorclassica: The Australian International Concours d'Elegance and Motor ShowOctoberKnokke-HeistBelgiumZoute Concours d'EleganceNovemberLas Vegas, NevadaUnited StatesLas Vegas Concours d'EleganceNovemberHilton Head Island, South CarolinaUnited StatesHilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring FestivalDecemberTampa, FloridaUnited StatesGasparilla Concours d'Elegance
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