The fifth Chantilly Arts & Elégance
Last weekend saw the fifth Chantilly Arts & Elégance held at the beautiful chateau just north of Paris. On the last day of June the Concours d’Elégance lived up to its reputation with 18,000 visitors enjoying the summer sun in the French countryside.
The event served as a theatre for several celebrations of different anniversaries: Bentley’s and Ballot’s centenary, Bugatti’s 110th, the 50th of the iconic Porsche 917, the Pagani Zonda’s 20th and the 50th of Jackie Stewart’s Formula 1 world title with the Matra. This year’s event also set another record with nine concept cars in competition of the Concours d’Elégance.
Among the concept cars in competition were the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation associated with fashion designer Ronald Van der Kemp, the BMW Vision M Next accompanied by Talbot Ruehnof, the Bugatti ‘Voiture Noire’ associated with fashion designer Max Mara, the DS X E-Tense with fashion designer Eymeric François, the Honda E Prototype and fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto, the Lexus Concept LC Cabriolet associated with Rochas, the McLaren Speedtail associated to Paul Ka, the Renault EZ-Ultimo accompanied by fashion designer Guy Laroche and the Volkswagen ID. Buggy with Ann Demeulemeester. The 2019 Best of Show award went to the McLaren Speedtail with the spectators choosing the ID. Buggy Volkswagen as the crowd favourite.
Organiser, Peter Auto, highlighted the different anniversaries in the Concours d’Etat starting with Ballot’s centenary, which was represented by the Ballot 5/8 LC that set the fastest lap in the Indianapolis 500 a century ago in 1919. Bentley was also celebrated with three special centenary categories: pre-war road-going cars, pre-war racing cars and post-war cars. Prizes were awarded to the Bentley 8 litres Foursome Coupe (1931), Bentley Speed Six ‘Old N°3’ (1930) and Bentley Mark VI Cresta (1948). The Porsche 917 was celebrating its 50th anniversary and the prize for the winner went to a car from 1971.
The exceptional selection of cars, the many activities for the whole family and the idyllic setting fulfilled the promise of a wonderful Sunday in the country. Despite the fierce heat that hit France a host of enthusiasts made the trip to Chantilly. Photos ©Alexis Goure and McLaren Cars.