Elegant autos on parade at Concours
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Posted By By Glen Woodcock QMI Agency
Posted 1 month ago
The origin of the term Concours d'Elegance goes back to France in the 17th century and literally means a competition of elegance. Back then, it referred to the French aristocracy parading their horse-drawn carriages through the parks of Paris.
Now, of course, it refers to a competition of elegant automobiles.
The Americans, especially, have a love for Concours, with some of the world's most prestigious events being held annually at the Pebble Beach golf course in California, Meadowbrook Hall in Michigan and on Amelia Island in Florida.
For most Canadians, ever the poor country cousins, we can only look on in envy at all that automotive beauty and all the wealth that makes it possible. And then we Canadian lovers of vintage iron have to content ourselves with the local cruise night or show & shine.
Well … not quite.
While lacking the stature of Pebble Beach or Meadowbrook, there are two Concours in Canada. Each of them attracts a significant number of impressive vehicles, and that's about all they have in common.
The Concours d'Elegance Le Mirage, at an equestrian centre in Blainville, Que., north of Montreal, is now in its second year. Held in mid-July, it is by invitation only and the cars are evaluated by a panel of judges that includes fashion designers, collectors and automotive journalists. The program includes a fundraising gala to raise money for research on Lou Gehrig's disease at Le Mirage golf course in nearby Terrebonne.
By contrast, Aug. 7, 2010 marks the 47th year for the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada's Concours d'Elegance which is open to everyone – not just ACCCC members – who want to have their unmodified vehicles assessed for everything from chrome to wiring, from paint to mechanical condition.
And unlike the Quebec Concours, which charges admission, the ACCC event is free to the public. It's the car owners who have to pay a modest fee to have their vehicles scored by teams trained by chief judge Doug Greer of Cobourg, Ont., well known in the old car hobby for the quality of his restorations.
Entries will range from the early days of the horseless carriage to vehicles as recent as 1990. There are 14 classifications including one for vintage motorcycles and two for trucks. In a change made to the judging process last year, cars no longer compete against one another.
Any vehicle acquiring the necessary number of points will win a first, second, or third place award. As well, there are trophies for Best of Show (the car with the most points) and for Exhibitors' Choice (voted on by participants). The winner of the John Legue Award, in honour of a past ACCCC president who died this year, is selected by the Concours committee.
The ACCCC's Great Pine Ridge Region is hoping to give the Concours a permanent home in historic Port Hope, about an hour east of Toronto. For the second year in a row the event will be staged on the grassy playing fields of the town's Agricultural Park.
The date to pre-register is now past, but cars still can be entered the morning of the Aug. 7 event. The fee is $40 and vehicles will have to pass an ACCCC safety inspection and be equipped with a fire extinguisher.
Gates open at 8 a.m. and judging begins promptly at 10. There is an awards dinner onsite at 6 p.m.
It may not be Pebble Beach, but it's a chance to see some of this country's finest vintage vehicles.
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