It was hot, very hot on Lake Geneva. With record temperatures, summer set in early in 2022 and temperatures also climbed well above 30 degrees in Coppet Castle Park. This is not a major problem for a Concours d'Elégance, as the vehicles are at rest for most of the day, but the heat posed a challenge for the audience, even though there were plenty of shady spots around the cars.
This was the sixth time that the Concours d'Elégance Suisse was held in Coppet; it was canceled in 2020 due to coronavirus and held as a classic car meeting in 2021 without a classification. The restart could not have been more impressive, as Mathias Doutreleau had put together a really interesting field of participants. After the drive on Saturday, it was the turn of the actual beauty contest on Sunday, June 19, 2022, which was judged in various classes as usual.
110 years of Bertone
Carrozzeria Bertone is responsible for some of the most beautiful and popular classic cars of all time. These include the Lamborghini Miura and the Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Sprint, which is simply known as "the Bertone".
Bertone and his designers also gave us lesser-known cars such as the ASA 1000 GT or many special bodies based on a wide variety of chassis.
These were represented on site by a Lancia Aurelia B52 with Bertone coupé bodywork, while the rest were more or less rare production designs, of which the Lancia Stratos in Alitalia trim was of course particularly striking.
For a Concours, of course, the spectacular show cars that came from the Bertone kitchen would have made a lot of sense, but of course it was also nice to see honest road cars like the Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina or a Fiat X 1/9 again.
The 61st birthday of the Jaguar E-Type
It makes sense to celebrate the E-Type in the Geneva area, after all, the elegant sports car was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1961. Because the 60th birthday in Geneva had to be canceled last year, it was simply made up for, or rather celebrated its 61st birthday, and more or less the entire range of road-going sports cars sold as the XKE and E-Type were on display.
Even the E-Type with the British license plate "9600 HP", which was used as a coupé for test drives in Geneva at the time, was on site.
The range extended to the late twelve-cylinder models and not only the early flat-floor cars were on display, but also the late Series 1 and Series 2 vehicles. A successful presentation.
Elegant and sporty cars from America
Two classes were reserved exclusively for American cars. On display were cars from "America's Golden Age", i.e. mainly saloons, coupés and estate cars from 1945 to 1959.
The selection made, including a Cadillac Coupe de Ville from 1957, a Chevrolet De Luxe, a Chevrolet Bel-Air Nomad (station wagon) from 1951, a Chrysler Windsor and the Ford models Fairlane (1957) and Edsel (1959), summarized this period very nicely and showed the creativity and playfulness with which American carmakers went about their work at the time.
The "America's Sixties 1960-1969" class was much sportier, with three Mustang derivatives, two with Shelby badges, demonstrating how the Americans imagined sportiness at the time. The three Ford/Shelby models were complemented by the 1968 Dodge Charger R/T.
The one or other Corvette or a Mercury or a Plymouth Road Runner would certainly have fitted in well, but there were plenty of ponies on display.
The cars of the coachbuilders
Of course, cars with Swiss bodywork are traditionally well established in Coppet. The selection on June 19, 2022 was somewhat smaller than at previous events, perhaps also because the Michelotti/Ghia Aigle exhibition took place 50 km further east at the same time.
However, the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Touring from 1942 with Graber bodywork probably made its first appearance at a Swiss Concours and the Talbot-Lago T15 Cadette from 1937 with Worblaufen bodywork, which was once owned by Ferdi Hediger, is also one of the rare guests at local beauty contests.
It was joined by an Alvis Graber Special from 1962.
Quirky things from America - hot rods and custom cars
The vehicles just behind the fountain impressively demonstrated that you don't always have to show only motor show show cars and super classics at the Concours.
Hot rods and custom cars with American roots were on display here and attracted a lot of interest, as they offered the whole range from patina to show paintwork and testified to the great imagination of their builders.
The rustic hot rods with free-standing wheels in particular offered an interesting contrast to the otherwise mostly polished Concours vehicles.
Elegance from different eras
For pre-war enthusiasts, there were the two classes "L'Elégance Sportive 1920-1939" and "L'Elégance de Ville 1930-1939", in which very beautiful cars awaited the verdict of the points judges.
Among other things, there was a fine Maybach SW38 with a body by Petera & Söhne from 1939, a Lagonda V12 from 1939 and an Alfa Romeo 1750 GS Zagato from 1930 to admire.
The "L'Elégance Européenne 1945-1955" class was also hotly contested, with no fewer than four specially bodied Delahaye and two Jaguar XK 120s battling it out for places.
The Delahaye 135 MS Faget Varnet from 1954 had traveled all the way from France. This car was, so to speak, a forerunner of the later Facel Vega, which is evident from its design. With its blue paintwork, this car was certainly one of the most beautiful on the course. It therefore rightly earned the main prize "Grand Prix Gagnant du Concours d'Élégance Suisse".
While Faget Varnet's car had an almost classical elegance, Saoutchik created truly opulent forms in a Delahaye 135 M in 1949.
The "L'Elégance en GT 1959-1969" class, in which a Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, a BMW 507, a Toyota GT 2000 and a Volvo P1800 S competed against each other, showed how elegance and granturismo were combined in the 1960s.
Very small and very fast
Small cars from the 1940s and 1950s were judged in the "Little Dreams" category, including a captivatingly beautiful coupé by Viotti based on the Fiat 600.
The super sports cars ("Supercars" category) were much sportier and faster, with a considerable range of super and hyper sports cars from the modern era competing.
Uncomplicated
Compared to other beauty contests, the Concours d'Elégance Suisse once again proved to be pleasantly and almost collegially organized. Instead of elaborate catering tents, there were simply picnic baskets that visitors could even bring themselves. They simply sat down on a blanket and enjoyed a simple meal with the drinks of their choice.
If you felt like ice cream, cool drinks or hot coffee, you could treat yourself at the numerous food stalls (for cash). The prices were okay, no sign of snobbishness. That's good!
Participating vehicles and results
| Class | Make | Type | Year | Bodywork | Honors/Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L'Elégance Sportive / 1920 - 1939 | Delage | The | 1927 | ||
| L'Elégance Sportive / 1920 - 1939 | Alfa-Romeo | 1750 GS | 1930 | Zagato | |
| L'Elégance Sportive / 1920 - 1939 | Mercedes Benz | 290 A | 1935 | Long | 1er Prix |
| L'Elégance Sportive / 1920 - 1939 | Alvis | Speed 20 Type SC | 1935 | Vanden Plas | 2e Prix |
| L'Elégance Sportive / 1920 - 1939 | Nash | 400 | 1935 | ||
| L'Elégance Sportive / 1920 - 1939 | Bentley | 4 1/4 Litre Aerofoil Sport | 1937 | Gurney Nutting | |
| L'Elégance Sportive / 1920 - 1939 | Lagonda | V12 | 1939 | Lagonda - Frank Feeley | |
| L'Elégance de Ville / 1930 - 1939 | Rolls-Royce | Phantom I | 1926 | 2e Prix | |
| L'Elégance de Ville / 1930 - 1939 | Peugeot | 201 M | 1937 | ||
| L'Elégance de Ville / 1930 - 1939 | Maybach | SW38 | 1939 | Petera & Sons | 1er Prix |
| Avions Voisin / 103è anniversaire | Avions Voisin | C24 | 1924 | 2e Prix | |
| Avions Voisin / 103è anniversaire | Avions Voisin | C14 Lumineuse | 1928 | ||
| Avions Voisin / 103è anniversaire | Avions Voisin | C11 | 1928 | Achard and Fontanel | 1er Prix |
| America's Golden Age / 1945 - 1959 | Chrysler | Windsor | 1947 | 1er Prix | |
| America's Golden Age / 1945 - 1959 | Chevrolet | Bel Air | 1951 | ||
| America's Golden Age / 1945 - 1959 | Chevrolet | Nomad | 1956 | 2e Prix | |
| America's Golden Age / 1945 - 1959 | Ford | Fairlane | 1957 | ||
| America's Golden Age / 1945 - 1959 | Cadillac | Coupe de Ville | 1957 | Best of Sound | |
| America's Golden Age / 1945 - 1959 | Ford | Edsel | 1959 | ||
| America's Sixties / 1960 - 1969 | Shelby | AC Cobra 427 | 1966 | ||
| America's Sixties / 1960 - 1969 | Shelby | GT 350 HERTZ | 1966 | ||
| America's Sixties / 1960 - 1969 | Ford | Mustang 289 | 1967 | ||
| America's Sixties / 1960 - 1969 | Dodge Charger | R/T | 1968 | 1 Series Prix | |
| America's Sixties / 1960 - 1969 | Shelby | GT 500 | 1968 | 2e Prix | |
| Art & Précision / Les Carrossiers Suisses | Talbot Lago | T15 Cadette | 1937 | Worblaufen - Fritz Ramseier & Cie | 2e Prix |
| Art & Précision / Les Carrossiers Suisses | Alfa Romeo | 6C 2500 | 1942 | Touring - Graber | 1er Prix |
| Art & Précision / Les Carrossiers Suisses | Alvis | Graber Special | 1962 | Graber | |
| L'Elégance Européenne / 1945 - 1955 | Delahaye | 135 M | 1946 | Dubos | |
| L'Elégance Européenne / 1945 - 1955 | Delahaye | 135 M | 1949 | Saoutchik | 2e Prix |
| L'Elégance Européenne / 1945 - 1955 | Delahaye | 135 M Gascogne | 1951 | Dubos | |
| L'Elégance Européenne / 1945 - 1955 | Jaguar | XK 120 | 1952 | ||
| L'Elégance Européenne / 1945 - 1955 | Delahaye | 135 MS | 1954 | Faget Varnet | Best of Show, 1er Prix |
| L'Elégance Européenne / 1945 - 1955 | Jaguar | XK 120 | 1954 | ||
| Carrozzeria Bertone / 110 ans de Style | Lancia | Aurelia B52 | 1951 | Bertone | |
| Carrozzeria Bertone / 110 ans de Style | Alfa Romeo | Giulietta Sprint | 1959 | Bertone | |
| Carrozzeria Bertone / 110 ans de Style | ASA | 1000 GT | 1965 | Bertone | |
| Carrozzeria Bertone / 110 ans de Style | Lamborghini | Espada | 1970 | Bertone | |
| Carrozzeria Bertone / 110 ans de Style | Alfa Romeo | 1750 Berlina | 1970 | Bertone | |
| Carrozzeria Bertone / 110 ans de Style | Lamborghini | Miura P400 S | 1971 | Bertone | 1er Prix |
| Carrozzeria Bertone / 110 ans de Style | Alfa Romeo | Montréal | 1972 | Bertone | |
| Carrozzeria Bertone / 110 ans de Style | Lancia | Stratos Safari | 1977 | Bertone | |
| Carrozzeria Bertone / 110 ans de Style | Fiat | X1/9 | 1981 | Bertone | |
| L'Elegance du Luxe / 1950 - 1969 | Rolls-Royce | Silver Dawn | 1953 | 1er Prix | |
| L'Elegance du Luxe / 1950 - 1969 | Bentley | Type R | 1954 | Standard Steel | |
| L'Elegance du Luxe / 1950 - 1969 | Rolls-Royce | Silver Cloud II | 1960 | 2e Prix | |
| L'Elegance du Luxe / 1950 - 1969 | Rolls-Royce | Silver Cloud II | 1966 | ||
| L'Elégance en GT / 1959 - 1969 | BMW | 507 | 1959 | 1er Prix | |
| L'Elégance en GT / 1959 - 1969 | Ferrari | 250 GT Lusso | 1963 | Scaglietti | |
| L'Elégance en GT / 1959 - 1969 | Volvo | P 1800 S | 1963 | ||
| L'Elégance en GT / 1959 - 1969 | Aston Martin | DB6 Vantage | 1967 | Touring Superleggera | |
| L'Elégance en GT / 1959 - 1969 | Lancia | Fulvia | 1967 | ||
| L'Elégance en GT / 1959 - 1969 | Toyota | 2000 GT | 1968 | 2e Prix | |
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1960 | 1er Prix | |
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1966 | ||
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1966 | ||
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1966 | ||
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1967 | ||
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1967 | ||
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1969 | ||
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1970 | ||
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1972 | ||
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1972 | ||
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1973 | ||
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1973 | ||
| Jaguar Type E / 61è Anniversaire | Jaguar | Type E | 1975 | ||
| Futures Classiques / Le Plastique c'est fantastique | Porsche | 911 2.4 T | 1972 | ||
| Futures Classiques / Le Plastique c'est fantastique | Maserati | Bora 4700 | 1972 | ||
| Futures Classiques / Le Plastique c'est fantastique | Stag | V8 | 1975 | 2e Prix | |
| Futures Classiques / Le Plastique c'est fantastique | Mercedes Benz | 500 SL | 1981 | ||
| Futures Classiques / Le Plastique c'est fantastique | Porsche | 924 Carrera GT | 1981 | ||
| Futures Classiques / Le Plastique c'est fantastique | Aston Martin | Volante | 1982 | ||
| Futures Classiques / Le Plastique c'est fantastique | Aston Martin | Lagonda | 1985 | 1er Prix | |
| Little Dream | Fiat | Topolino 500B | 1948 | ||
| Little Dream | Renault | 4CV sport | 1955 | ||
| Little Dream | Fiat | 600 | 1957 | Viotti (G. Michelotti) | 1er Prix |
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Ford | AV8 | 1931 | Ford | |
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Ford | Model 18 | 1932 | Madness | |
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Ford | Model 18 | 1932 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Ford | Model B | 1932 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Ford | Model 18 | 1932 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Ford | Model B | 1932 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Ford | Model B | 1932 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Ford | de Luxe | 1948 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Buick | Sedanette | 1949 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Chevrolet | Impala | 1958 | 1er Prix | |
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Maserati | Sebring | 1962 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Lotus | Elan 26R | 1965 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Lincoln | Continental | 1969 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Citroën | DS20 | 1970 | Citroen | |
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Citroën | SM2 | 1973 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Citroën | Porte Voiture | 1977 | Tissier | |
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Fiat | Panda 4x4 | 2002 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Morgan | Aeromax | 2008 | Morgan | |
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Alfa Romeo | 8C | 2009 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Oreca | R13 LMP1 | 2018 | ||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Buggy DXX Dakar | 2022 | |||
| Rebel's Class / Just because. | Porsche | 917K (Réplique, 2003) | 1969 | ||
| Big Dreams | Ferrari | F50 | 1997 | ||
| Big Dreams | Gumpert | Apollo | 2011 | ||
| Big Dreams | Ferrari | Monza SP1 | 2021 | ||
| Big Dreams | Lamborghini | Siàn FKP37 | 2022 | ||
| Big Dreams | Lamborghini | SVJ Roadster | 2022 | ||
| Big Dreams | Lamborghini | Countach LPI 800-4 | 2022 | 1 Series Prix | |
| Big Dreams | Bugatti | Chiron |
