This year’s Antwerp Concours d’Elegance proved to be a worthy celebration of its 20th anniversary. This show has been a personal favourite since the world recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, and it never fails to impress. With a selection of about 70 cars following various exciting themes, the Antwerp Concours brings stylish flair to the autumn classic car season.
The one-day open-air event looks back at 20 years of history, showcasing rare and exotic sports and luxury cars, pre-war cars, racecars and one-offs from mostly European nations. Initially, it was launched in 2005 in the heart of Antwerp but moved to more fitting castle settings throughout the years (for more background, check out their website).
The Concour’s official parking lot (opposite the Castle) is reserved for oldtimers and works almost like a stand-alone exhibition even before we validate our ticket. The visitor cars included all the usual suspects of a perfect cars ‘n’ coffee gathering. Those who could not muster an oldtimer, there is a dedicated parking lot a hundred metres away with very stylish shuttles (courtesy of Lotus cars).
The Belvédère Castle in Wijnegem hosted the event for the 15th time, occupying the large open spaces around the Castle. The cars were lined up by topic, which the organisers announced well in advance of the event.
The programme follows the traditional Concours arrangements, where a jury inspects each car, and the owners show their vehicles, pop the hood and start the engine for them. All you have to do is follow the referees in their distinctive uniforms while they are inspecting the vehicles, and you’ve got yourself a priceless spectacle.
This year’s Antwerp Concours followed a more playful concept than the previous years for its main theme. The organisers surely showed they can have a significant appeal as they managed to conjure a dozen BMW 507s and Merc SLs, or an astonishing set of Ferraris. This year, the central theme following a Comic theme, that allowed a wide selection of cars with comprehensive decoration.
The cars in the front yard are all featured in a Hergé comic, and each was presented with a page from the comic it was featured in. The cars illustrate a wide selection, ranging from race cars to pre-war taxis to children’s cars.
Beyond that, the organisers assembled a very complete list of categories encompassing all epochs and sizes. The winners’ shortlist featured three cars.
2025 best of show ‘expert jury’: 1972 Citroën SM Opéra 3/7ex. 1973 Barcelona Motorshow
Special mention of the jury: 1913 Hispano Suiza Alfonso XIII
Best of show expo cars & comics: 1950 Talbot Lago T26C ex Louis Rosier, ex Baron d’Huart
Below we list the winners in all categories:
Best in class in the category pre-war ‘adorable & affordable’: 1926 Amilcar CGS-3 Duval
Best in class in the category pre-war ‘style & luxury’: 1936 Bugatti T57 Stelvio Cabriolet Gangloff
Best in class in the category pre-war ‘sport & competition: 1932 Alfa Romeo 6C-1750GS Zagato
Best in class in the category 125 years (70+55) Citroën DS/SM: 1972 Citroën DS23 Pallas
Best in class in the category 70 years of Alpine: 1963 Alpine M63 chassis 1704
Best in class in the category 50 years Lotus Esprit: 1978 Lotus Esprit S1 Giugiaro
Best in class in the category leisure & pleasure: 1972 Fiat 850 Shellette Michelotti
Best in class in the category carrozzeria italiana postwar: 1953 Siata 300BS Bertone
Best in class in the category Ferrari 12 cilindri: 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB/2 PF Coupe chassis 6915
Best design: 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600SS Scaglione/Bertone
Best provenance : 1936 Delahaye 135S Figoni Le Mans 37-38-39-49 ex Louis Villeneuve
Best restoration: 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900CSS Touring Coupe
Best preservation: 1956 Citroën DS19 Robergel/Robri, chassis 7776
Longest distance to concours: 1948 Fiat 1500 6C Monviso Stella Alpina Cabriolet
Best dressed ‘period outfit’: 1913 Ford Model T (D’Hont family)
These were the winners of each category. The organisers delivered a great show, unaffected by several events held on dates around the show. Despite the competition, the show still offered tons of exciting specimens, so we might come back with a second article featuring a selection of our own favourites. Stay tuned!
