For the fourth time, the world's most beautiful cars were invited to the Concours Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille in the north of Paris on September 9 and 10, 2017. As in previous editions, the event was divided into a Concours d'Etat for the 90 classic cars, a Concours d'Elégance for five modern concept cars and a drive for the Concours participants on Saturday, supplemented by a Supercar Rally for the Lambos and Zondas of the modern era.
According to Peter Auto, 16,300 spectators attended the event, an increase of 20 percent compared to the previous year, despite the sometimes cool and wet weather conditions.
Ferrari at the center
Le Mans Classic organizer Patrick Peter (Peter Auto) had come up with something very special to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Ferrari brand. Five of the 16 Concours classes were advertised for Ferrari sports and racing cars with Le Mans history. Divided according to type, around 30 rare former participants in the 24 Hours of Le Mans came together, from which the jury then had to choose a winner.
Of course, the sports and racing cars' drive-up was also an acoustic delight, and visually they were at their best anyway. Of course, neither the Ferrari 250 GTO nor the Group 4 Daytona were missing, but rarely seen vehicles such as the 250 GT Sperimentale from 1961 or the Dino 166 S prototype were also on display.
However, the prancing horse could not only be admired on cars, but also in its own horse show.
Special classes
Although Ferrari took center stage, the other classes should not be forgotten. One group was dedicated to electric cars, another to the chain-driven sports and racing cars of the early automotive era. And there were even two classes (open/closed) dedicated to little-known Italian brands such as Osca, Siata, Cisitalia and Aguzzoli.
And then, of course, special bodies were also in demand, in three classes. The French Carrossier Pourtout was honored, but also the special bodies on Alfa Romeo chassis from the pre- and post-war period.
The Bugatti Type 57S were among the finest cars of the pre-war era. Some of the most beautiful competed against each other in the Concours.
Another class was dedicated to the cars of famous musicians.
Vehicles with wooden bodies and a combination of children's and adult cars were two further groupings in this exceptional Concours d'Etat, in which the elegance/beauty and, above all, the condition of the classic cars were judged.
Two best of shows for the classics
For the first time, the jury selected two "Best of Show", namely separately for pre-war and post-war.
The Bugatti 57 S Atlantic from Robson Walton and Peter Mullin was the winner in the pre-war category, while the prize in the post-war category went to the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa 58 from 1958 with chassis number 0728 from owner Sir Michael Kadoorie.
This car had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1958 with Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill at the wheel.
The clubs as an attraction
42 clubs with 800 vehicles were an integral part of the event and a winner was also crowned among them. The huge garden party, which invited you to travel back in time, so to speak, also crowned its own winner.
The Fiat Fan Club was the winner of this trophy for the quality of its presentation.
Two best of shows for modern concept cars
Of course, the tradition of judging modern concept cars according to their elegance was also continued. A special feature of Chantilly Arts & Elegance is that the dream cars are each shown together with a fashion designer and his works.
Two winners were selected from the five cars from Aston Martin, McLaren, Renault, Citroën and DS, namely the Renault Trezor Concept (together with fashion designer Balmain) and the Citroën CXperience Concept (with Yang Li). An almost purely French affair.
In any case, Patrick Peter was satisfied with his fourth Concours: "We were able to learn that the Chantilly meeting has now found a permanent place in the agenda of the most important car collectors and that car manufacturers have also recognized the value of this event as a supplement to the world's motor shows".
The class winners
- The great French coachbuilder Pourtout
1: Delage D8-120 S Coach Sport (1939)
Special prize: Remi Danvigne's CD4 Roadster (1938) - The great cars of musicians
1: Porsche 911 3.0L RS (ex Herbert von Karajan)(1974)
Special prize: Iso Griffo A3C (ex Johnny Hallyday)(1965) - The Woodies
1: Peugeot 202 ''boulangère'' (1949) - A century of electric cars
1: Detroit Electric Model D Brougham (1910) - Track-powered racing and sports cars
1s: Gladiator Grand Prize (1904)
Special prize: Panhard Grand Prize (1908) - Pre-war Alfa Romeo with special bodies
1: Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Grand Sport Spider Zagato MM (1929)
Special prize: Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 MM Torpedo/Cabriolet Brandone (1933) - Post-war Alfa Romeo with special bodies
1: Alfa Romeo 3000 CM "Superflow IV" Pinin Farina (1960)
Special prize: Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sprint Zagato (1955) - The open "Ecceterini"
1: Siata 500 Record (1946)
Special prize: Osca Maserati S-498 (1959) - The open "Ecceterini" (coupés)
1: Aguzzoli Condor (1964)
Special prize: Osca MT4 LM (1952) - Small and big together - "Petites et Grandes"
1: Bugatti Type 52 Baby (1926) & Bugatti Type 35 (1926) - The Bugatti Type 57 S
1: Bugatti 57 S Atlantic (1936)
Special prize: Bugatti 57 SC Atalante (1937)
Special prize: Bugatti 57 S Gangloff Coupé (1937) - The 24h Le Mans Ferraris - GT and modifications
1: Ferrari 512 BBLM (1980) (Chassis #32129)
Special prize: Ferrari F40 (1992) (Chassis ##ZFFGJ34B000074045) - The 24h Le Mans Ferraris - open prototypes
1: Ferrari TR58 (1958) (Chassis #0728)
Special prize: Ferrari Dino 166 SP (1965) (Chassis #0834) - The 24h Le Mans Ferraris - closed prototypes
1: Ferrari 250 LM (1964) (Chassis #5891)
Special prize: Ferrari 512 S (1970) (Chassis #1016) - The 24h Le Mans Ferraris - 365 GTB/4 Daytona Gr. 4s
1: Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Gr IV (1972) (chassis #12467)
Special prize: Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Gr IV (1972) (chassis #15681)
Special prize: Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Gr IV (1970) (chassis #15373) - The 24h Le Mans Ferraris - the 250s
1: Ferrari 250 GTO "62" (1962) (Chassis #4293GT)
1st Special Prize: Ferrari 250 GT Sperimentale (1961) (Chassis #2643GT)
2nd Special Prize: Ferrari 250 GTO "64" (1964) (Chassis #5575GT) - The Grand Prix of Clubs FFVE
Fiat Fan Club - Special FFVE prize for authenticity
Antony type A1 and the Antony collection - FIVA Special Award for the best preserved car (preservation)
Chrysler Town country 1947 - Audience Award
Lexus LFA
