Driving in Style: Johannesburg's Concours d'Elegance attracts finest vintage cars

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02:22

Classic car owners, collectors and enthusiasts have gathered in Johannesburg for the Concours d'Elegance, one of the world's premier motor shows. The Concours is held in various countries such as the US and France, attracting some of the world's finest vintage cars. CGTN's Julie Scheier has more details from the event in South Africa.

The Concours d'Elegance has its roots as far back as the 17th century when horse carriages would be paraded through Paris. Automobiles quickly replaced them, and the event evolved into a competition where cars are judged on originality, design and beauty. The main aim of Concours is to present the car as close to its condition when it left the factory.

GREG MARUCCHI CO-ORGANIZER, CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE SOUTH AFRICA "These cars have all been prepared in the modern era to look as they did the day they were delivered - in 1987 in the case of this red Ferrari behind me, 1966 in the case of the dark blue Lamborghini and 1934 in the case of the Rolls Royce."

71 cars entered this year's contest.

WAYNE HARLEY HEAD JUDGE, CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE SOUTH AFRICA "We are looking for someone that has spent the right amount of time to create an excellent example of what the car looked like in its hey-day then also the preparation of that car in other words someone who has taken the time and the effort to actually present it as if it was leaving the showroom for the first time."

Porches went up against Ferrari's, Austin Healy's against Daimlers.

TIM ABBOT COLLECTOR "My Porsche is a 1970 911-S. It started life as a really destroyed car. They are quite complicated to restore and it was quite a challenge for me to do but it is something that has really been satisfying the whole way."

Ten overall categories were rewarded.

JOSH DOVEY COLLECTOR "It is the first time I have ever done a Concours. It is incredibly nerve-wracking. It is ridiculous. So I mean the standard of preparation you can see from all the cars around is intense. people spend weeks and months preparing for an event like this and it comes out in the quality of the show."

Winning entries included from a 1960 Volkswagen Beetle to a 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS that won this year's "Best-of-Show". The Concours is not a contest of speed, but a display of the priceless art of elegant automotive sculptures that have stood the test of time.

JULIE SCHEIER -CGTN - JOHANNESBURG - SOUTH AFRICA.