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If you enter the city of Apeldoorn from any direction you'll notice
the signposts on which the Royal Palace "'t Loo" is indicated. From
1686 to 1975 it was the the Dutch Royal family's favourite place
and from 1984 the Palace became a museum (open to the public) after
an extensive restoration. I don't think there is a better place
for a concours of classic cars than this very historic and nostalgic
location and I was thrilled to see there the former Royal Rolls
Royce Silver Wraith Limosine Landaulette from 1958, which was used
by the Queen Mother Juliana.
The Concours d'Élegance at the Royal Palace started as a one day
event, but the 2003 edition was a two day event and included an
auction by Christies on Sunday. There were 23 classes and the oldest
car I saw was a Panhard & Levassor from 1901, entered by Stijnus
Schotte. Ferraris were competing in three classes: the Ferrari class,
Sports & Racing cars (1945-1960) and Supercars. A list of competing
Ferraris can be seen in the attachment.
On Saturday the first car I laid my eyes on was a Mercedes-Benz
300 SL Gullwing. It was lined up with other versions of the 300,
like Roadsters etc. and it attracted a great deal of interest. This
Gullwing had to compete with the Roadsters, all kinds of Jaguars,
Lancia Aurelia's and an Aston Martin DB2 DHC.
Although I'm a Ferrari enthusiast I know there are other beautiful
cars . Of the other makes I like the limousines and older Alfa Romeo's
very much because of the external and therefore exciting functionality
like a handbrake, the beautiful front lights (old fashioned lamps
I would call them) or an original horn of a Cadillac. These things
are marvellous to photograph and if you are lucky and the car has
been well taken care of you might see something reflecting in the
coachwork, like another car or a special part of it. Other cars
I want to mention, and which also nothing have to do with Ferrari,
are for example. a Stanley Steamer of 1923, the Delaunay Belleville
Laundaulette entered by the Car museum Deventer, a Corbin 1910 and
an Alvis Charlesworth Drophead Speed 25 1936 entered by Jaap Elzas.
All of them very beautiful cars with very interesting details definitely
worth photographing.
The most ugly Ferrari was a "one off", namely a 330 GTC Zagato
Convertible based on s/n 10659. Designer Mittini designed it in
1974 for Zagato and also in this case there's no arguing about taste.
The most beautiful Ferrari in my opinion was the 250 GT Europa s/n
0421GT in two tones grey, with a dark red interior. It was a breath-taking
winner, but they missed it during the award ceremony without a reason.
Perhaps a modest owner.…?
The Jury consisted of several famous critical and competent judges.
To begin with Andrea Zagato, the grandson of Ugo Zagato, founder
of the famous Italian coachbuilders in Milan; Philip Kantor, the
motorcar specialist of Christie's in Brussels; Machiel Kalf, a Swiss
watchmaker and winner of several prestigious awards with his restored
Morgans; and Veniero Molari, famous for his expertise in classic
cars and coachbuilders. To end with I want to mention Lorenzo Ramaciotti,
who's a designer at Pininfarina since 1974 and is often asked to
participate in juries at important and big events. And, of course,
there were Dutch experts present such as car journalists, consultants,
writers, etc. They all choose an Alfa Romeo 2600 Pininfarina Prototipo
as "Best of Show". The Ferrari 250 GT SWB s/n 1849GT was winner
in its class.
This year's event was adorned with culture, art, music and galleries
of all kinds. There were huge tents with the possibility to drink
champagne or eat something, in one tent a hamburger, in another
caviar. It was all there, you just had to find the right place.
The weather was fantastic for an event like this, in spite of
all the forecasts for rain and thunder. Luck was with the organizers,
thousands of enthusiast, visitors, participants and many invitees.
I sure hope to cover this event next year under the same weather
conditions.....
Click
here forConcourse Ferraris at Apeldoorn
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