|
CONCOURS
Where Magnificent Automobiles Glisten |
|
|
|
|
What is a Concours?
A Concours (pronounced: "Con-Kor") is a competitive car show to see which entry is the cleanest and most original. These types of events, originally called Concours d'Elegance, started in the 1800's when French noblemen would gather socially and compare their horse-drawn carriages. Today, there is a wide range of competition that goes from a simple "wash and show" to national events where every nut and bolt has been polished on the undercarriage.
Usually, the cars are brought to the judging area with only final preparation remaining before they are judged. The judges will then have approximately 5-8 minutes to judge specific areas of the car. They will be looking for cleanliness, quality of preparation, lack of damage, and originality. Below is a brief description of the various events and awards:
Wash and Show:This event involves the judging of the exterior only and is usually based on "eye appeal".
Top-Side Only: This event judges the quality of preparation of the exterior, interior, and storage areas of the car. Usually, originality is not considered.
Street Class: Judging of this class includes all areas with the exception of wheel well and full undercarriage areas. Interior, exterior, storage, and engine topside are judged with originality being optional. This class was added to the Porsche Parade (the Porsche Club of America national event) in 1989.
Full Concours: This judging takes into consideration ALL aspects of the car including the undercarriage and originality. At the Porsche Parade, a perfect car can score a total of 300 points. Please keep in mind that a new car straight off of the showroom floor would only score around 150 points!
People's Choice Award: This award goes to the car that is chosen favorite by the people attending the concours.
Judge's Award: This award is given to the car chosen by the concours judges as their choice.
Best of Show: This award goes to the car that scores the highest point total of all the cars in the competition.
|
| |
|
|
Concours d'Elegance
From Wikipedia:
A Concours d'Elegance (from French meaning a competition of 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 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, and Louis Vuitton Classic in midtown Manhattan. Concours exist for motorcycles as well.
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, chrome (or nickel) plating, and mechanical restoration far exceeding that of the car when new.
Concours d'Elegance competitions also are run forclassic 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.
A Concours d'Elegance (French for "competition of elegance") is a gathering where owners of distinctive automobiles compete for top honors. Owners prepare their classic Duesenbergs, Porsches, and Fords with almost infinite patience and care. If you really want to be overwhelmed by the beauty of such automobiles, here are a few of the best events you should consider.
|
|
This is a list of Worldwide Concours d'Elegance Events |
|
 |
|
Please help me to make sure this list is accurate. If you represent a major Concours d'Elegance Event that is not listed below or if it is listed incorrectly, please Contact Us. |
| Event |
Location |
Dates |
Web Address |
CANADA |
| Fleetwood Country Cruize In |
London, Ontario |
Jun 5-6, 2009 |
www.fleetwoodcountrycruizein.com |
ENGLAND |
| Cartier Style et Luxe |
Goodwood, Chichester |
July 3-5, 2009 |
www.goodwood.co.uk |
FINLAND |
| Classic Sportscar Concours d'Elegance |
Kakskerta Island, Turku |
Jun 14, 2009 |
www.concours.fi |
FRANCE |
| Circuit d'Orleans Concours d'Elegance |
Orleans |
Aug 15, 2009 |
www.lesancetresautomobiles.com |
| Les Grands Concours d'Elegance del Saint-Cloud |
Saint-Cloud Paris |
Jun 2010 ? |
www.elegance-saint-cloud.fr |
GERMANY |
| Schloss Dyck Concours d'Elegance |
Jüchen |
Aug 1-2, 2009 |
www.schloss-dyck-classic-days.de |
| AvD Oldtimer-Gala Schwetzingen - European Concours d'Elegance |
Schwetzingen |
Sep 4-6, 2009 |
www.oldtimergala.de |
INDIA |
| Cartier Concours d'Elegance |
Mumbai |
Nov 2, 2008 |
www.autox.in |
ITALY |
| Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este |
Cernobbio |
Apr 24-26, 2009 |
www.concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com |
KENYA |
| Schweppes Africa Concours d'Elegance |
Nairobi |
Sep 27, 2009 |
www.concourskenya.com |
NETHERLANDS |
| Concours d'Elegance Paleis Het Loo |
Apeldoorn |
Aug 2009 ? |
www.concourselegance.com |
NEW ZEALAND |
| Intermarque Concours d'Elegance |
Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland |
Feb 13-14, 2010 |
www.concours.org.nz |
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA |
California |
| The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering |
Carmel |
Aug 14, 2009 |
www.quaillodgeevents.com |
| Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance |
Carnelian Bay |
Jun 18-0, 2010 |
www.laketahoeconcours.com |
| Chico Concours d'Elegance |
Chico |
Sep 6, 2009 |
www.chicoconcours.com |
Niello Concours at Serano & Festi d'Italia
|
El Dorado Hills |
Oct 4, 2009 |
www.nielloconcoursatserrano.com |
| Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance |
Hillsborough |
May 2-3, 2009
|
www.hsf.org |
| Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance |
Huntington Beach |
Jun 5-6, 2010 |
www.hbconcours.org |
| Newport Beach Concours d'Elegance |
Irvine |
Sep 25-27, 2009
|
www.atscconcours.com |
| Concorso Italiano |
Monterey
|
Aug 14, 2009 |
www.concorso.com |
| Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance |
Monterey Bay |
Aug 16, 2009 |
www.pebblebeachconcours.com |
| Ironstone Concours d'Elegance |
Murphys |
Sep 2009 ? |
www.ironstonefoundation.org |
| Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance |
Palm Springs |
Feb 25-28,2010 |
www.desertconcours.com |
| Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance at Stanford |
Palo Alto |
June 28, 2009 |
www.paconcours.com |
| Los Angeles Concours d'Elegance |
Pasadena |
Jun 7, 2009 |
www.laconcours.com |
| Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance |
Rolling Hills |
Sep 13, 2009 |
www.pvconcours.com |
Colorado |
| UCP Colorado Exotic Sports Car Show and Concours d'Elegance |
Littleton |
Jun 14, 2009 |
www.cpco.org/concours/ |
| Rocky Mountains Concours d'Elegance |
Colorado Springs |
Sep 6, 2009 |
www.rmconcours.com |
| Morgan Adams Concours d'Elegance |
Denver |
Aug 22, 2009 |
www.morganadamsconcours.com |
Connecticut |
| Greenwich Concours d'Elegance |
Greenwich |
Jun 6-7, 2009 |
www.greenwichconcours.com |
| Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance |
Westport |
Sep 12-13, 2009 |
www.fairfieldcountyconcours.com |
Florida |
| Cavallino Classic |
Palm Beach |
Jan 19-24, 2010 |
www.cavallino.com |
| Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance |
Boca Raton |
Feb , 2010 |
www.bocaratonconcours.com |
| Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance |
Amelia Island |
Mar 12-14, 2010 |
www.ameliaconcours.org |
| Festivals of Speed Orlando and Grande Lakes Concours d'Elegance |
Orlando |
Oct 2009 ?
|
www.festivalsofspeed.com |
| Winter Park Concours d'Elegance |
Winter Park |
Nov 7-8, 2009
|
www.winterparkconcours.com |
Illinois |
| Barrington Concours d'Elegance |
Barrington |
Oct 2-4, 2009 |
www.barringtonconcours.org |
| Geneva Concours d'Elegance |
Geneva |
Aug 21-23, 2009 |
www.genevaconcours.com |
| Mokena Concours d'Elegance |
Mokena |
Aug 2009 ?
|
www.mokenaconcours.com |
Indiana |
| Auburn Concours d'Elegance |
Auburn |
Sep 2009 ?
|
www.auburnconcours.org/index.html
|
Kentucky |
| Keeneland Concours d'Elegance |
Lexington |
Jul 15-18, 2010 |
www.keenelandconcours.com |
Maryland |
| St. Michaels Concours d'Elegance |
St. Michaels |
Sep 25-27, 2009 |
www.stmichaelsconcours.com |
Michigan |
| Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance |
Rochester |
Aug 2, 2009 |
www.meadowbrookconcours.org |
Nevada |
| A Day on the Village Green |
Crystal Bay |
Jul 31, 2009 |
www.renojaguarclub.com |
New York |
| Scarsdale Concours |
Scarsdale |
Sep 20, 2009 |
www.scarsdaleconcours.com |
| New York City Concours d'Elegance |
New York |
Canceled |
www.newyorkcityconcoursdelegance.com |
North Carolina |
| Winston-Salem Concours d'Elegance |
Winston-Salem |
Sep 2009 ?
|
_ |
Ohio |
| Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles |
Canton |
Sep 18-20, 2009 |
www.glenmoorgathering.com |
| Ault Park Concours d'Elegance |
Cincinnati |
Jun 14, 2009 |
www.ohioconcours.com |
| Dayton Concours d'Elegance |
Dayton |
Sep 19, 2009
|
www.daytonconcours.com |
Oklahoma |
| Oklahoma City Concours d'Elegance |
Oklahoma City |
Sep 2009 ?
|
www.okcconcours.com |
Oregon |
| Forest Grove Concours d'Elegance |
Forest Grove |
July 19, 2009 |
www.forestgroveconcours.org |
Pennsylvania |
| Artistry in Motion |
Lancaster |
May 2, 2010
|
www.artistryinmotion.org |
| York on Wheels |
York |
Jun 2009 ?
|
www.yorkheritage.org |
| Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States |
Bethlehem |
May 31, 2009
|
www.concourseast.org |
| Buckingham Auto Show Concours d'Elegance |
Holicong |
Sep 20, 2009
|
www.buckinghamautoshow.org |
| Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance |
Malvern |
Sep 11-13, 2009
|
www.radnorconcours.org |
Rhode Island |
| Newport Concours d'Elegance |
Newport |
May 31, 2009
|
www.newportconcours.org |
South Carolina |
| Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance and Motoring Festival |
Hilton Head Island |
Oct 29 - Nov 1, 2009 |
www.hhiconcours.com |
Texas |
| Keels & Wheels Concours d'Elegance |
Seabrook |
May 1-2, 2010
|
www.keels-wheels.com |
Utah |
| Utah Concours d'Elegance |
Thanksgiving Point, Lehi |
Aug 21-23, 2009
|
www.concoursutah.com |
Washington |
| Concours d'Elegance of the San Juan Islands |
Friday Harbor |
Aug 30, 2009
|
www.sanjuanconcours.org |
| Kirkland Concours d'Elegance at Carillon Point |
Kirkland |
Sep 13, 2009 |
www.kirklandconours.com |
Wisconsin |
| The Masterpiece Concours d'Elegance |
Milwaukee |
Aug 23, 2009
|
www.milwaukeemasterpiece.com |
|
|
|