Last year, Chantilly Arts & Elégance took place for the first time in many years. The great national tradition from the 1920s was revived in Le Nôtre Park at Chantilly Castle and was a resounding success. Almost 10,000 visitors attended. This year's event will take place on September 6, 2015.
Sporting spirit and originality at the Concours d'Etat
The Concours d'Etat aims to bring together some 100 special vehicles from the greatest collections around the world. Divided into ten classes, rare and beautiful vehicles are presented. For 2015, the classes from the previous year have been completely redesigned in order to showcase even rarer cars.
The "Car of the ACF Grand Prix" class is dedicated to cars that once took part in the French Grand Prix. It covers a wide range of automotive history, as the first edition took place more than a century ago, in 1906. Other categories pay tribute to Bugatti racing cars ("Bugatti: The Racing Car"), Formula 1 cars from 1966 to 1972 ("Formula 1 from 1966 to 1972") and Grand Tourism ("Grand Tourism, from the city to the track").
In the "Jean Todt: 40 years of Motor Racing" class, the former French car driver Jean Todt is to be honored. He is also a former Formula 1 team boss, was CEO of Ferrari and is now FIA President - not an unknown name in the automotive world. Other classes are called "The Famous Ladies' Cars" or "Iconoclasts Interiors", where for once the focus is not on the exterior but on the interior of the vehicle.
Last but not least, there will also be a separate class for vehicles with European chassis and American engines, and the class "The Untouched Cars from the Interwar Period" will feature vehicles from the interwar period. Who and what will be shown in the tenth and final class will only be revealed at the Retromobile in Paris these days.
Last September, the Concours d'Etat in Chantilly brought together over 100 vehicles, from which a 1938 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet with bodywork by Figoni and Falaschi emerged as Best of Show.
One concours, three challenges
At Chantilly Arts & Elegance, there is not just one competition where the vehicles are allowed to present and compete, but three:
In the Concours d'Elegance, one concept car and one top model compete together. The concept cars represent a manufacturer, the models a fashion house. Whoever presents themselves best and looks best together wins in the end.
The Concours d'Etat will select "the most beautiful automobile in the world" in each of the ten classes and a "Best of Show" will be chosen from all classes at the end, which is always the most coveted prize at any Concours.
And the Club Grand Prix showcases the most beautiful club vehicles and exhibitions as part of a "Déjeuner sur l'Herbe", i.e. a lunch on the grass. further information on the event can be found on the website of organizer Peter Auto.
If you want to get an impression of the Chantilly Arts & Elegance, it is best to read our report from 2014 withmany beautiful photos.
