Vintage cars face-off as Concours d' elegance marks the 50th anniversary

John Wroe with his overal car winner next to his Ford Tudor of 1930 during the CBA Concours D' Elegance 2019 at the Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Concours d' elegance has promised a showstopper of a world-class automotive event like never seen before.

Ramps at Ngong racecourse will this Sunday 25, be dazzling in a convoy of classic and vintage cars, plus motorcycles as they showcase and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Concours d' elegance event in Kenya.

Themed 'The Golden Africa Concours d' Elegance', the contest is expected to attract thousands of Concours enthusiasts.

Speaking to Spice FM, Alfa Romeo owners club chairman Peter Wanday, revealed that several local and international competitors have registered for the event and have been grooming their cars in readiness for the contest.

"Out of the 70 vintage and classic cars, 40 vintage and classic motorcycles, we allow a reserve list of 10%. The maximum we take for cars is 77, for motorcycles is 40+4," said Wanday.

"This year we have a full house. We have 71 cars and 44 motorcycles."

The 10% allowance according to Wanday, is because a car might fail to show up for the event, or fail to start. Some of the cars expected at the event include a vintage 1930 Ford Model, which has been entered by Adrian Wroe.

White Cap brand ambassadors Jackline Kinda (left) and Chelsea Kariuki during partnership announcement between KBL and Alfa Romeo Owners Club for the 50th Edition of the Concours D 'Elegance

The entry has been deemed to be a star attraction. A 1956 VW Beetle by Paul Chemngorem is another entry which has been touted as a great story, having been picked as a shell from a scrape yard and remodelled into a classic.

"I bought this car as a shell from a scrap yard in Nakuru. The lady wanted Sh8,000, I didn't even bargain. I just took it the way it was," said Paul.

The judging process will kick off at 10 o'clock on Sunday morning and according to the organizers, the last car will be judged around 4.00 pm.

The last time the event was held in Kenya was in 2019. It took two years break because of the Covid19 pandemic which saw all sporting activities suspended in the country.

Concours d' elegance is a French term meaning competition of elegance, whereby prestigious vehicles are displayed and judged.