What the .... Concours Condition
Discussion
Concourse is all parts to original model and manufacturer. All components, tyres lamps, coil, battery, paint, to name but a few parts that can be very difficult to source as original fitted.
Showroom isn't a class; it's just a statement declaring that the car appears like a new car.
Concourse cars over 15 years old are really just for show. In my experience these cars, whilst beautifully preserved, breakdown very easily. The focus of preservation has normally been on looks alone.
I've owned one truly concourse car, a national all marques winner (Benson & Hedges Concourse). It was unreliable and awful to drive and I didn't dare to leave it anywhere because the paintwork and side mouldings were so easily damaged.
Showroom isn't a class; it's just a statement declaring that the car appears like a new car.
Concourse cars over 15 years old are really just for show. In my experience these cars, whilst beautifully preserved, breakdown very easily. The focus of preservation has normally been on looks alone.
I've owned one truly concourse car, a national all marques winner (Benson & Hedges Concourse). It was unreliable and awful to drive and I didn't dare to leave it anywhere because the paintwork and side mouldings were so easily damaged.
Yup...what he said above!
The true concours is deemed to be all 100% original parts in better-than-new condition (even down to things like 15yr old tyres!) however many concours competitions have a "standard" and "modified" class...where modified is essentially the cleanest car you can imagine in the world ever (but not necessarily original!).
A few examples of concours condition..... (these are from an RSOC day, but you get the idea!).
The true concours is deemed to be all 100% original parts in better-than-new condition (even down to things like 15yr old tyres!) however many concours competitions have a "standard" and "modified" class...where modified is essentially the cleanest car you can imagine in the world ever (but not necessarily original!).
A few examples of concours condition..... (these are from an RSOC day, but you get the idea!).
Daftlad - that's what I said in my text! The White RS500 is truly original (I think)- it even has the Dunlop D40 tyres which haven't been available for years!
The bottom car is in the modified section, the top one isn't.
Edit, oops, it's not an RS500...it's just a 3dr Cosworth (thought I'd put a different pic up!)
>> Edited by tonyhetherington on Wednesday 23 March 10:35
The bottom car is in the modified section, the top one isn't.
Edit, oops, it's not an RS500...it's just a 3dr Cosworth (thought I'd put a different pic up!)
>> Edited by tonyhetherington on Wednesday 23 March 10:35
tonyhetherington said:
Daftlad - that's what I said in my text! The White RS500 is truly original (I think)- it even has the Dunlop D40 tyres which haven't been available for years!
The bottom car is in the modified section, the top one isn't.
Edit, oops, it's not an RS500...it's just a 3dr Cosworth (thought I'd put a different pic up!)
>> Edited by tonyhetherington on Wednesday 23 March 10:35
Without getting into it too deeply, the top car I supect is not as it came from the factory, it looks to have been re-built. IIRC the normal underside finish would have been stonechipped not body coloured.
Not wishing to split hairs, what you said is " better than new" - thats not the same as "as it left the factory".
Nice car all the same.
How odd, I have just posted about the RS 500 I am going to look at on Friday. That's concourse. See this thread :
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=140&t=155306
Roop
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=140&t=155306
Roop
Concours d' Elegance is a French term literally meaning "Parade of Elegance". The event originated in Paris in the early 1900s and at the time exhibited the latest fashion collections combined with custom coach work on new automobiles by European courture houses. Such events were halted during the 2nd World War, but reappeared afterwards in Europe, making their debut in the United States at Pebble Beach, Calif., in 1950. A concours is a "clean-car contest" and car show, where the entrant's car is judged by its condition, appearance, and cleanliness. Outstanding examples are considerably better than as-delivered from the showroom
A car is to be Driven..... ok polish it clean it look after it. ofcors...but i couldnt NOT drive the thing. I love Driving too much.
I think its so sad when people get their supercars out of the garage, polish it, rev it abit, then put it back in the garage. If i had a car like that id be out in it as much as i could!!!
I think its so sad when people get their supercars out of the garage, polish it, rev it abit, then put it back in the garage. If i had a car like that id be out in it as much as i could!!!
civicboy28 said:
A car is to be Driven..... ok polish it clean it look after it. ofcors...but i couldnt NOT drive the thing. I love Driving too much.
I think its so sad when people get their supercars out of the garage, polish it, rev it abit, then put it back in the garage. If i had a car like that id be out in it as much as i could!!!
You pay your money and make your choice.
Horses for courses
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