There is a difference between presenting your collector’s car at a car show or a concours event. A normal local or regional auto show is more of a meet-up, and when judged it is usually done casually, with the winning car usually being an audience award.
Even at local auto shows, there are often awards in so many categories that practically anyone can win one at some point. That’s not negative, it’s reality. I say this after winning a couple of awards just going there after quickly wiping my car.
Racing legend Derek Bell judges in Pebble Beach | Bob Golfing Photo
Showing and possibly winning at a top-class concours event like Amelia Island or Pebble Beach is a completely different story. These events invite only the best cars for each of their classes and are rated by the top experts in the collector car world, including designers, branding experts, legendary racing drivers and even collector car journalists.
The stake at a concours event is slightly higher as the mere invitation to show your collector’s car at Amelia can add value to the vehicle and is seen by many as a prime example.
The first thing you need to understand about presenting a car at a concours is that if your car is accepted, it will be a win in itself. Sure, you want to win, but enjoy the experience because just being invited to show off your vehicle is a very big deal.
The scene at the 14th annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance | Boca Raton Concours Photo
These events receive many hopeful entries every year. More than half of those who apply are rejected, not because of the quality of their car, but because of the large number of excellent entries.
In the words of Chris Brewer, Director of Communications at Amelia:
“Every car that is in the field has won just because it was there, and his car in the field is of great importance.”
The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance | Deremer Studios LLC photo
So what does it take to make one car stand out from the rest in the eyes of a concours judge? What you think is important can’t be, so keep reading.
Rule 1: At a concours, do not raise the hood until you are instructed to do so. Bodies are constructed with the hood down. You can be proud of your engine, but the judges want to see the car as the designer envisioned it.
At some concours events, the judges don’t even look at the engine. When they ask, open your hood to show them the engine and other components under the hood. Then close it again.
Bob Jepson with his 1929 Cord L29 | Andy Reid photo
There are usually a lot of photographers taking pictures at these events for national and international releases and they probably won’t take a picture of your car with the hood open because it looks terrible by design. So if you want to see your car in a magazine or on a number of websites, close your hood.
Rule 2: Never bring props that you “add” to the car. If it did not come as standard equipment or as a factory accessory, leave it at home.
Rule 3: Don’t bring a large sign telling the story of your car. This looks terrible and will count against you.
Best of Show winner at the Edison Concours d’Elegance | Andy Reid photo
Rule 4: Bring a detailed folder / book on the history of the car. Most important are not the pictures of your restoration, but historical pictures, building sheets, order sheets and magazine articles about your special car.
When I say your specific car, I mean stories about the exact VIN you own, not general overviews of the model.
Ditch evaluation documents as the judges probably know more about what your car is worth than you do, and it doesn’t ultimately matter.
Do not enclose any factory authenticity documents such as a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, a British Heritage Certificate or similar documents.
Rule 5: Never answer a question that wasn’t asked. If your car was damaged and rebuilt from two cars, there is no need to tell a judge unless asked directly. It is the job of the judges to find these flaws, and you don’t have to help them.
A concours juror examines a Mercedes-Benz 190SL | Bob Golfing Photo
Rule 6: Never misrepresent your car as something that it is not. Don’t tell the jury that your car belonged to a celebrity in person unless it actually was. If so, it is your job to prove it.
Also, don’t try to portray your car as a rarer model than it is. Chances are you will be found out, and if that happens you will likely not be invited back to a high level concours.
Rule 7: Clean your car perfectly. If your car is a maintenance vehicle shown in a maintenance class, clean the car. No concours judge I’ve ever worked with is impressed with dirt, even dirt that’s 50 years old.
The car you bring to a concours should be as clean as possible and attention to every detail. If you can’t do this yourself there are a number of people out there who will do it for a living. Invest in one of them and you will be amazed how amazing these professionals can make your car look.
Rule 8: Tell the story of your car and what it means to you. Did you buy the car because you dreamed of it when you were 13? Then tell the judges. Did you take the car to the Colorado Grand and the Mille Miglia? Tell this story. Did you restore the car yourself? Did a facility like Mann’s Restoration or Paul Russell and Company restore the car? Don’t skip this.
Arizona Concours d’Elegance Judge | Bob Golfing Photo
Rule 9: Read the rules carefully. Do rated cars need to be started? Are things like lights and horn checked? Some Concours check this and some don’t.
The craziest thing I’ve seen as a judge was judging motorcycles at the Hilton Head. I had vintage BMWs to judge and the bike that would have won had no fuel in the tank and the owner refused to start it because, as he said, it would turn the pipes blue.
There’s no deduction for blued pipes at any concours on the planet, so that was silly. Also, the rules at Hilton Head in the first paragraph state that all bikes must demonstrate that they are running in order to be rated. Also read these rules and read them carefully.
Rule 10: Have some humility. Getting your car appraised is not an opportunity to brag and feel like a big hit; It’s an opportunity to have your car valued by real experts.
In many cases, judges have rated cars far less and more significantly than yours, so be the person to thank the judges for their time and effort and to answer questions asked politely and thoughtfully.
Aerial view of the Elegance at the Hershey Concours | Andy Reid photo
As I said at the beginning of this article, having your car accepted at events like Pebble Beach, Amelia Island or Hilton Head and standing on the exhibition field is a win in itself.
If you follow these rules, you could end up earning a class award or a second and your entire experience at a concours will likely be a lot more fun. If you don’t stick to it, you will likely come home empty-handed.
This article, written by Andy Reid, was originally published on ClassicCars.com, an editorial partner of Motor Authority.
