On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June, the “Interclassics Days of Elegance” took place for the first time. This new event took place around the Chateau St. Gerlach in Valkenburg.
During this new event, guests are immersed in the hospitality of the Burgundian South. This while enjoying unique cars and luxury lifestyle products.
Days of Elegance, the name already gives away that there is a Concours d’elegance. The most exclusive cars compete for the coveted ‘Best of Show’ award. A jury of 17 members, all of whom have something to do with the car world in one way or another, will choose a winner from each of the five categories.
Categories
The Concours of Elegance is divided into 5 categories, with each section focusing on a specific period or type of car. For example, we find a category dedicated to racing cars until 1980. A category dedicated exclusively to gentleman sports cars from 1950 to 1980. Modern sports cars are also covered and this from the period 1980 to the present. A nice one is the category dedicated to luxury touring cars and this up to 1970. But without a doubt, the category ‘When Coachwork Becomes Art’ attracted the most attention. This category ran from the birth of the car until 1960. And believe us, there were some real gems among them.
Exclusive
The organisation’s decision to make this an exclusive event must have appealed to most visitors. This was quite easy to set up because there were a maximum of 3000 tickets available per day. This allowed you to navigate between the different cars in peace and quiet.
Classic car dealers
A limited number of classic car dealers were present at the venue. Well they had all brought their showpieces in the hope of finding a new owner.
Luxury Market
In the Luxury Market section, you could find numerous luxury items. Think of art, exclusive real estate but also exotic holidays.
Winners of Concours of Elegance
As mentioned before, everyone had come with their most beautiful classic cars. But in a competition there is usually only one winner. This time, the 1935 Lancia Astura Roadster stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Prizes in 7 more categories
For example, the Ferrari 500 Mondial won the title in the Racing Legends class.
The Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster Gin won the title ‘When Coachwork becomes Art’. At the Gentleman’s Thoroughbreds, the 44th Porsche ever built won. A so-called ‘Knickscheibe’ (referring to the small bar in the windscreen): The Porsche 356 “Gmünd”. Even though the Elegant Tourers class was dominated by mainly British Prewars, the Mercedes-Benz 300S took the prize. In the Future Classics category, a Ferrari once again stood out. This time an original F40 from 1989 that still belongs to the first owner’s family. In the ‘owners choice’ category the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Villa d’Este won. Finally, an Honorary Judge Award was also presented. The winner was chosen by former curator of the Schlumpf Museum Richard Keller and restoration expert Gundula Tutt. They chose the previously unknown Pegaso Z.102 GT Berlinetta Enasa.
Conclusion
It may be the first version of Interclassics Days of Elegance, but you really wouldn’t know it! The organisation was really top, very professional and stylish. So note already in your agenda the date for next edition. It will again take place on the estate of Château St. Gerlach on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June 2023.
Photos: Quinten Hoskens
Report: Patrick Verheeken
