The Crittenden Automotive Library

The Regent Street Concours d’Elegance

The Regent Street Concours d’Elegance

Geoff Maxted
DriveWrite
October 15, 2013

For those people of the automotive persuasion lucky enough to live in good old London town there’s a little treat in store - and it is free. For those outside of our Capital City it means negotiating the Boris ’n Ken tax, finding a place to park for less than all the money you possess that’s within a fifty mile radius of Regent Street at which point there’s a little treat in store and it is free.

Since its introduction in 2005, the EFG International Concours d’Elegance has become one of the major highlights of the annual Regent Street Motor Show, the largest free to view motor show in the United Kingdom.

Showcasing many of the extraordinary pre-1905 cars taking part in the following day’s staging of the world famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, this year’s Concours on Saturday 2 November, will feature no fewer than 100 of the finest vehicles dating back to the dawn of motoring.

This year the Regent Street Motor Show is extended from Piccadilly Circus right up to Oxford Circus for the very first time. The historic gathering will be sited to the northern end of Regent Street, which is closed to traffic for the day to allow more than a quarter of a million viewers a fabulous opportunity to see all these charismatic and captivating cars up close.

The public can also vote for their favourite veteran car on the day as one of six special awards presented along with an Overall Winner. All those voting also will be automatically entered into a free prize draw with the lucky winner collecting a £2,000 Regent Street shopping voucher, a night’s accommodation for two at a leading West End hotel plus dinner for two at Brasserie Zedel in London W1.

Judged by a panel of expert judges, the remaining Concours categories include awards for cars with the most impressive provenance and in the most original condition as well as for drivers and passengers wearing the best period clothing. Last year overall victor was a 1902 Napier with the number plate HE 1 owned by Mr Clive Boothman.

While a certain crowd pleaser, the evocative EFG International Concours d’Elegance is just one of many attractions that make up this year’s enlarged Regent Street Motor Show. Other confirmed highlights include a special display of 100 Aston Martin cars to celebrate that iconic marque’s centenary year. Another anniversary being honoured is 50 years of the evergreen Porsche 911.

The dedicated Manufacturer Zone located further south on Regent Street’s architecturally stunning curve will include the latest models from companies such as BMW and Renault while the special Future Car display will put the spotlight on the cars of tomorrow. For those in central London, it is the astonishing collection of veteran cars that makes this such a special event. The prestigious and historic setting just adds to what’s already a remarkable and magical atmosphere. If you can’t make it don’t forget to line the streets the next day for London to Brighton.