A Century of Concours D'Élégance

Beginning in France in the 1920s, elegant exhibitions of the latest designs from carmakers, chassis builders, and coachbuilders evolved over more than a century into a celebration of historic vehicles. Today, these events reflect global admiration for classic cars, which are viewed as treasured artifacts worthy of preservation, conservation, or restoration, and showcased as part of humanity's industrial heritage. Published in both English and French in separate volumes, this book explores the origins of the earliest concours d'élégance and how the tradition expanded to include women, fashion, and lifestyle. It also examines how the concept was reimagined in the New World, transformed into a festival that honors both the exceptional and the unconventional. All four authors have been intimately involved in various concours over the years. Their enthusiasm and dedication qualify them to chronicle the evolution of these glamorous competitions, which are an enduring part of the automobile's storied past.