The Cartier Concours d'Elegance, the show that put India on the international stage for vintage and classic concours, will unfortunately no longer continue, after having been held for six successful editions. The huge budget required – rumored to be around USD 5 million (about Rs 35.60 crore) – along with a change in Cartier's priorities in India, are believed to be the reasons for the withdrawal.
The first edition of the Cartier Concours d'Elegance was held in Mumbai in 2008. Over the course of the 12 years that event has been running, it has been recognised as one of the best Concours d’Elegance in the world by classic car aficionados. This platform became instrumental in showcasing India's automotive heritage on a global stage.
Something that was unique about the show, in reloation to its international counterparts, were the different classes for cars to enter in . The Preservation Class had been included in 2011 with the Indian Heritage Class, while the American Aerodynamic Class was introduced in 2017. The former encouraged owners and enthusiasts to collect, restore and showcase Indian-made cars in their original specifications. The Transport Class was introduced at the 2019 edition of the event.
Over the years, the show has had many international judges of repute like HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Sandra Button (Chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours), Jean Todt (President of FIA), Charles Gordon-Lennox (Chairman and founder of Goodwood Festival of Speed), Prof. Gordon Murray (award-winning F1 designer) and Peter Stevens (renowned automobile designer), to name a few.
The Cartier Concours d'Elegance raised the standards of restoration for Indian vintage and classic cars and paid importance to the history of automobiles. The show will be sorely missed by the classic car community – not just in India but also across the world.
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