How To Prepare Your Prestige Vehicle For Concours Judging
The concept of Concours judging, also known as Concours d’Elégance, came about more than 60 years ago, as a way of exhibiting the most exquisite, elegant, well designed and well-maintained cars of the day.
Those judging are required to have an in-depth knowledge of different makers, models and as well as a firm understanding of vehicle engineering.
So how can you make sure your vehicle is up to scratch?
The team at Exclusive Auto Centre know better than most that preparing your vehicle for Concours judging can be a long and arduous process.
Having spent a long time polishing, detailing and crafting the perfect vehicle – one that has quite literally become your prized possession, it’s time to put it on display and show the judges what an exquisite vehicle it truly is.
But what does the preparation really entail?
We’ve put together a timeline for owners competing in a Concours event, and to be completely transparent, this is no easy feat.
Check out the steps below:
In the months before the event:
- Repair or replace broken or worn parts and trims
- Touch up paint chips
- Have any dents removed by a paintless dent repair expert
- Clean and waterproof cabriolet tops
- Order all cleaning products and tools you need
- Clean the spare tyre
- Detail the tool kit
In the weeks before the event:
- Prepare the paintwork – claying, polishing and waxing
- Undertake an initial engine clean (not needed if the event is a Wash & Shine)
- Clean all leather – you may need to do this a number of times
- Clean and dress interior surfaces – plastics/vinyl
- Clean the battery and adjacent area
- Restore the cabriolet top plastic window
- Initial clean of storage areas
- Clean and dress rubber trims
- Clean, polish and wax door jams
- Ensure alloy wheels are immaculate
- Clean everywhere including under the seats, seat belts and recesses, under the dash, in the air vents, door panels and pockets, door jams and sills, door locks … everywhere!
1-2 days before the event:
- Clean every part of the engine bay and hood and ensure it is dry and dress rubber hoses and plastics
- Apply protective treatment to metal areas
- Wash the car including the underside of the doors and seals
- Thoroughly clean all the windows
- Dressing external rubber and vinyl
- Clean and condition all leather
- Clean and dress the dash, instruments and all consoles, pedals, carpets and mats (maybe take out for the judging), roof liner, mirrors and sun visors, and any grab handles
- Final interior vacuum – carpets must be 100% clean and lint free
- Final vacuum and inspection of storage areas including the spare tyre and tool kit
- Remove watermarks from all door frames, door jams, hoods, badges, lights, wipers, number plates, petrol cap area and rubber seals
- Alloy wheels must be immaculate including lug nuts
- Tyres must be cleaned and dressed without leaving a film
Below is the list of the key event dates for Australia:
12 September 2021: Mercedes-Benz & Concours dÉlegance Anniversary Special Event: Kedron AFL Football Ground, Kedron QLD
19 September 2021: All British Day Queensland: St Joseph’s College Sports Grounds QLD
26 September 2021: Bay to Birdwood Concours d’Elegance and Preservation awards: National Motor Museum, Birdwood SA
26 September 2021: Concours d’Elegance ACT
26 September 2021: Club Maserati Show and Shine Hunter Valley: Nicita Estate, Hunter Valley NSW
17 October 2021: All British Day Sydney: The King’s School North Parramatta NSW
18 October 2021: National Concorso: Ferrari Club Australia: Gold Coast Turf Club QLD
6 November 2021: Braidwood Country Concours d’Elegance – a mental health charity event: Braidwood Servicemens Club & Golf Course, Braidwood NSW
3-5 March 2022: AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance: Swift Mansion: Sydney NSW
7-9 October 2022: Motorclassica: Melbourne VIC
