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Un siècle de Concours d'Elégance
Daniel Cabart, Denis Cohignac, Patrick Rollet et Gautam Sen
DÉSORMAIS DISPONIBLE DANS LE MONDE ENTIER
Les premières expositions des carrossiers et constructeurs automobiles, au tournant du XXe siècle, parfois maladroites et emphatiques, évoluèrent à partir des années 1920 en France vers le « concours d’élégance féminine en automobile », rencontre éphémère et codifiée d’un couturier, d’un carrossier et d’un constructeur. Aujourd'hui, ces concours, statiques ou dynamiques, célèbrent toujours les véhicules historiques, préservés ou restaurés, véritables témoignages de notre patrimoine industriel mondial.
Cet ouvrage relate cette évolution, en explorant les origines des premiers concours d'élégance et la manière dont ils se sont ouverts à la mode, aux métiers du luxe et à l'art de vivre. Il examine aussi comment le concept a été réinventé dans le Nouveau Monde, se transformant en une grande fête qui valorise à la fois l'exceptionnel et l'improbable, ouvrant ainsi de nouvelles perspectives à cette tradition plus que centenaire.
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ISBN :
9781956309355
- Nombre de pages : 400
- Illustrations et images : 660
- Format : 219 x 304mm
Click here for English Edition
Octane, August 2026
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SpeedReaders
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The Automobile, July 2026
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Classic & Sports Car, July 2026
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MotorWorld Bulletin, June 2026
 - MOWO_Bulletin_210 - June 2026.jpg) Translation to English:
A few weeks ago, some of the world’s most beautiful, rarest, most spectacular—and, in some cases, most expensive—vehicles once again gathered on the shores of Lake Como.
The setting was the Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, where the first Concorso d’Eleganza took place 98 years ago. Originally conceived as a sales event for the many coachbuilders, it is now a meeting place for collectors, designers, dealers and journalists who come together to celebrate the elegance and aesthetics of the automobile. The first concours itself, however, appears to have taken place in the French town of Dinard on September 4, 1921.
Events of this kind are now held throughout the world. Pebble Beach Car Week and the Villa d’Este are regarded as the most important, joined by events in England, such as Salon Privé; in France, such as Bagatelle; and at Amelia Island in Florida.
To better understand the development of these former sales shows into today’s competitions for trophies and honours, a team of authors led by Gautam Sen has examined the history of this French-born concept. They describe its evolution into multi-million-dollar events at which automobiles are promoted, hyped and consequently made increasingly valuable.
These occasions also reveal which marques and models are gradually becoming fashionable and which are slowly disappearing from the spotlight.
The term “Concours d’Elegance” itself dates from the eighteenth century, when members of the aristocracy displayed their finest carriages in the parks of Paris so that they could be seen and admired. Some were even mentioned in magazines for their particular elegance.
Not so much has changed, therefore. The main difference is that aristocrats are now seldom seen behind the wheels of these rolling treasures. Instead, they have largely been replaced by a new aristocracy of wealth.
Auto Italia, August 2026
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