The Concours d’Elegance is a traditional part of the Zoute Grand Prix, featuring dozens of rare classic and modern-day cars in several categories.
More than 50 unique sports cars assembled for the 2019 edition of the Zoute Concours d’Elegance on 12 and 13 October 2019. Over the past years, the event made a name for itself among that top Concours d’élégance events in Europe.
The event is exclusively open to a limited number of cars, split into several pre-war and post-war categories. The competition is led by Philip Kantor of UK auctioneers Bonhams, and the international panel of judges comprises several famous names. These include Francois Melcion, the president of Rétromobile, Quirina Louwman, Dutch collector and racer of vintage cars (see Louwman Museum) or Belgian F1 driver Thierry Boutsen, just to name a few members from a long list.
This year, the Concours was divided into 12 categories:
I. Pre-War Class
II. Post-War Closed Class
III. Post-War Open Class
IV. Pre-War Preservation Class
V. Post-War Preservation Class
VI. 100 Years Bentley
VII. 110 Years Bugatti
VIII. Touring Superleggera Heritage
IX. Touring Superleggera Revival
X. Beach Cars
XI. 24H Spa Francorchamps
XII. Cars of the Belgian Royal Family
In addition to the thematic sections, visitors are welcomed by a special stage with six hypercars, that was already presented at an earlier post:
On Saturday, the organisers prepared a lovely present for legendary race driver Jacky Ickx. At a dedicated tent, Porsche presented a 911 Carrera 4S Belgian Legend edition to celebrate the 75th birthday of Monsieur Le Mans.
The unveiling started with a short and painless presetnation of the success of Mr Ickx, paying due credit to Porsche for providing a car he could win races. For the sake of fairness, Porsche was a major player in endurance racing, with many factory and privateer cars in the fleet. Mr Ickx beat them all, not to mention that famous Le Mans races where, e.g. Jacky gave others the advantage of a cigarette break.
After the interview, he unveiled his edition of the 911 4S, in the company of his wife and his daughter Vanina, who also entered her father’s footsteps racing with notable success at Le Mans and Pikes Peak.
When it comes to the classes, it tells a lot about the show’s offering that there was a separate category for Ferrari 166s (albeit with three cars only : ) ).
The special theme of the 2019 Concours was the coachbuilder Touring Superleggera. Carrozzeria Touring was established in 1925 in Milan, and became well known for both their remarkable design and lightweight construction methods.
This was the era of coachbuilders when wealthy owners could order unique bodyworks on a technical platform provided by Lancia, Bugatti, Pegaso or later Ferrari.
The classic division featured many great vehicles usually based on Italian models. One exception is the Pegaso Thrill coupé, that was the fanciest version of the short-lived Spanish luxury car.
The purring V8 of the 1953 Pegaso is the ultimate car spotting experience
My other favourite was the Ferrari 340 America, the first of the America cars offered between 1950 and 1952. This GranTurismo was equipped with the Lampredi V12 developed for Formula One racing, vesting the 340 America with a whopping 220 PS.
There was a wide range of cars in this section, ultimately the winner of the category was a red 1958 Maserati 3500 GT Touring Spyder.
Despite its long list of legendary cars, the company went down in 1966. In 2006, its brands and trademarks were purchased by a new firm established nearby the original site to revive the traditional brand.
The profile remained faithful to the original, providing automotive design, engineering, coachbuilding, homologation services for anything with or without wheels.
This period is honoured by half a dozen cars, including two Maseratis and two Alfa Disco Volantes.
The winning car was a 2015 concept, the Ferrari Touring Berlinetta Lusso, a concept car created by the revived Carrozzeria Touring. Based on the 2012 Ferrari F12berlinetta, it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015 and manufactured in 5 copies.
The project pays tribute to the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM Touring, Ferrari’s first GT series car, coach built by Touring Superleggera at that time.
The runner up was a red Alfa Romeo Disco Volante, a two-seater coupé, coach built by Carrozzeria Touring based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.
Hence the car shares a technical platform with the Maserati Granturismo (end consequently the Ferrari 430); thus the 4.7 450 PS engine is placed in the front, paired with a sequential gearbox.
The model name is derived from the Disco Volante of the 1950s. The Flying Saucers were part of a series of experimental sports racing cars produced between 1952 and 1953 in collaboration with Carrozzeria Touring. This reminds me that I should write a report on the Alfa Romeo factory museum as well.
If there can be just one category to highlight, I would bet my money on the post-war closed class.
This class featured high-end or rare classics from coach built Jag and iconic Gullwing to brilliant Ferraris.
Although an elegant 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Tour De France won the category, the 1952 Jaguar Xk-120 Supersonic with Ghia design came home with more badges.
Another exciting category encompassed cars with a royal past, featuring a wide selection of vehicles in terms of makes, epochs and purpose in the section dedicated to the cars of the Belgian Royal Family.
My personal favourite was a 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa GT Vignale in mint condition. Obviously, not just mine, is it also won the category.
The Ferrari 250 Europa is a luxury sports car developed from the Ferrari 250 MM. Initially powered by a Lampredi V12, the 250 Europa GT received the Colombo V12. I particularly enjoyed the part where the jury asked the owner to open the car for inspection and also to start it.
Every detail seemed to be at perfect condition, my four-year-old car wears more traces and scars than this 60-years-old Ferrari…
Another favourite was the red Aston Martin DB2/4, a grand tourer from 1955. Although the obligatory British racing green is missing, the red colour brings out the beast from the design of this noble classic.
The historical segments honour the 100th anniversary of Bentley and the 110th anniversary of Bugatti. The Bentleys represented several decades of the history of the brand.
The winner of the 100 years of Bentley was a 1930 Bentley 4.5 s/c coach built by Gurney Nutting.
As far as the Bugattis are concerned, the offering was not as extensive, but I believe the rain shower limited the chances of really showing up with a pre-war open car.
Nevertheless, the main stage with the Centodieci, the modern-day Bugattis more than compensated for the (relative) absence.
The pre-war section also appeared somewhat gappy, at least that is what I deduct from the smaller number of scattered cars in that corner of the field.
There were a few selections with a diverse offering, one was a race car section and a funny set of some creepy beach cars. Weird as they may be, they look more natural on the grass of a golf course than a Veyron… : )
As for the rest, there was an open post-war category with many unique specimens from BMW 507, Facel Vega or the Ferrari that served to drive his holiness John Paul II.
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The ultimate European automotive events calendar for 2019 – DECEMBER UPDATE
