Concours d’Elegance Events: The Ultimate ‘Road Trip’

These are the car shows of the rich and famous, where the vehicles are the stars

For vehicles entered in a concours d’elegance, perfection in all regards is expected to be significantly exceeded. Oscar Sweep/Shutterstock

Getting outside in the sunshine and fresh air is always fun—but add cars normally tucked away in private collections, now driving around on manicured lawns, for even more fun. That’s a concours d’elegance, an adventure worth considering, even if you think a Pontiac Aztek is pretty cool.

For enthusiasts of all things vehicular, from motorcycles to sportscars and everything in between, a car show is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon casually admiring the entries amid the company of like-minded people. However, for the most discerning car aficionados, only a concours d’elegance will do.

With the cars parked in the open, it’s easy to get a close-up look. Ethan Yetman/Shutterstock

A Competition of Elegance

To quote Merriam-Webster, a concours d’elegance is a competition of elegance, a contest of vehicles and accessories in which the entries are judged chiefly on their excellence of appearance and turnout. In plain words, it’s a collection of classic cars that are in fresh-from-the-factory condition or better. The first concours were held in 17th-century France, during which aristocrats would gather to show off their spectacular horse-drawn carriages.

Today, these events draw motorized vehicles from all eras, as seen in the annual Pebble Beach Concours’s partial list of classes, which includes the Postwar Touring Open, Graber Coachwork Early, European Classic Early Open, Unorthodox Propulsion, Rolls-Royce Prewar, Antique, and American Classic. The cars are typically displayed out in the open, such as on a golf course, to allow guests—and judges—to see them up close as they sip champagne.

In addition to looking good, the cars must also be capable of being driven past the judge’s station.sixtyeightwest/Shutterstock

Only the Very Finest

All cars selected for exhibition at a concours will be among the finest examples in the world, so judges are chosen based on their extensive knowledge of the various classes and their ability to apply objective criteria of authenticity, condition, and appearance, as well as subjective criteria that include beauty, significance, and visual impact.

For the exterior, the bodywork must be precise and the chrome must be sparkling. The interior is also closely scrutinized, with attention paid to the seats, interior panels, carpeting, headliner, steering wheel, and gauges. The judges are seeking examples that represent excellence in all aspects; they’re also looking for vehicles that draw a crowd for reasons such as having a royal pedigree or serving as a perfect snapshot of a time when things were simpler.

In order to take top honors, all aspects of a car’s interior must be perfect in every way. hillbankracing.com

An exciting part of many concours is that moment when the vehicles parade by on their way to the judging station. In addition to simply looking great, these cars must also be capable of being operated on and around the viewing grounds. Seeing and hearing exceptional cars in action is a thrilling experience. For this reason, many collectors spend vast amounts of money to not only acquire unique specimens but to then restore and maintain them to better-than-perfect condition in all ways.

The car’s exterior is closely scrutinized and judged, from paint to tires, and chrome.hillbankracing.com

Unlike a typical car show, at a concours, there are no open hoods or signs explaining the history and pedigree of the car. Hoods are only opened at the request of a judge and then promptly closed; the intention is for the vehicles to be seen while they’re ready to drive. Similarly, signage or props aren’t permitted. However, owners are encouraged to discuss the car’s history with the judges, providing details of how, when, and why they acquired it. If it has been completely rebuilt or has been in the family for many generations or was the owner’s dream car—the judges want to know all about it.

Pebble Beach is one of the top concours events in the US, drawing exceptional cars from all over the world.Oscar Sweep/Shutterstock

See Them All

Being active in the world of concours is no simple matter, but it brings with it membership in an elite group sharing a love of all things mechanical. While touching is strictly forbidden, a concours represents an excellent opportunity to take the family on an al fresco adventure. There are many concours events held around the world, with those held in the United States including Pebble Beach in California, Amelia Island in Florida, Greenwich in Connecticut, and the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week in Rhode Island.

One of the best parts of a concours is watching a rare car being driven past the crowd by its excited owners. Keith J Finks/Shutterstock

With a bit of planning, attending all or several of these could be the basis for an exciting road trip. Because having a car accepted for judging is a rare honor and several events bar entries that have been recently exhibited elsewhere, chances are excellent that new cars will be seen at every concours. There’s certainly no rule that a car must be entered into multiple events; based on geographic constraints, some cars are only entered into events located relatively close to home or only in one event.

A word of warning: After attending a concours d’elegance, a seed will be planted to seek out and discover a notable car stashed forgotten and dusty in a barn somewhere, painstakingly restore it, and have it ready to take top honors at next year’s event.