Valkenburg a/d Geul, 20 June 2022 – The first edition of InterClassics Days of Elegance made quite an impression on both visitors and exhibitors. The variety of the programme combined with the ambiance of Château St. Gerlach contributed to a dynamic and distinctive classic car event. Apart from dazzling concourse cars such as the Ferrari 250 GT Europa, all decked out in rally trim, classic car dealers put their best cars on display. At the Luxury Market, people could marvel at luxury items such as art, charter flights and exclusive real estate. Mark Koense, Vivian Lataster and British car influencer Mr JWW hosted the awards ceremony on the concourse stage.
‘I attend a lot of events that haven’t managed to achieve this level of organisation and cars, even after ten years. This creates high expectations for the future!’ according to Mr JWW, YouTube celebrity and automotive influencer. This well-known Brit also got behind the wheel in the Rally of Elegance on Saturday The rally had two starting fields, Classic and GT (modern supercars), and the teams finished at the Château St. Gerlach. A parking lot had been set up just for the rally so that visitors could admire the cars at their leisure.
They could also be amazed at the cars in the spacious Future Classics Area, where Porsche and Bentley Maastricht presented the most beautiful models from their range on pristine white stages. The prominently placed Porsche Cayman GT4 RS (Weissach Package) did justice to the Future Classics Area. Many similar RS models from the German manufacturer have become timeless collectors’ items in no time.
Days of Elegance 2023
Erik Panis, Manager of InterClassics: ‘Organising an event like this wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiasm and support of our partners, participants and business associates. Once again, they placed their trust in us for this first edition. This confidence bodes well for the second edition of Days of Elegance on 3 and 4 June 3 2023!’
Mr. JWW in his recording studio (The Production Bunker)
Winnaars Concours of Elegance
The audience was treated to beautiful designs and feats of engineering, but according to the jury, one car stood out head and shoulders above the rest: the 1935 Lancia Astura Roadster from Lomm (near Venlo). Jury chairman Ben Erickson explains. ’‘The process of arriving at this choice was easy for the entire jury.This Pininfarina creation has been meticulously and expertly restored over the last seven years to become the stunning Roadster the way it was manufactured in the 1930s.
Prizes were also awarded in seven other categories. The Louwman Museum’s Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster seemed to be a contender for the Best of Show title. In the end, this Teutonic giant won the prize in the When Coachwork Becomes Art category. The 44th Porsche ever built won in the Gentleman’s Thoroughbreds class. This is a so-called Knickscheibe, a reference to the bar in the windscreen, the Porsche 356 ‘Gmünd’. An award popular with the general public, the prize in the Racing Legends class was won by the 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial. A Ferrari also won in the Future Classics category; this extremely original 1989 F40 is still in the hands of its first owner. Despite the fact that the Elegant Tourers class was dominated by British prewars, the Mercedes-Benz 300S won the prize.
Competition participants were allowed to cast their votes for the Owners’ Choice Award. This was won by the elegant Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Villa d’Este. Finally, an Honorary Judge Award was also presented. The winner was chosen by former Schlumpf Museum curator Richard Keller and restoration expert Gundula Tutt. They selected the unknown (but clearly not unloved) Pegaso Z.102 GT Berlinetta Enasa. GT Berlinetta Enasa.
The second edition of InterClassics Days of Elegance will be held on Saturday, 3 June and Sunday, 4 June 2023 at the Château St. Gerlach estate. Gerlach.
Best of Show: 1935 Lancia Astura Roadster
When Coachwork Becomes Art : 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K Spezial Roadster
Gentleman’s Thoroughbreds: 1949 Porsche 356 “Gmünd”
Racing Legends: 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial
Future Classics: 1989 Ferrari F40
Elegant Tourers: 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S
Honorary Judge Award: 1951 Pegaso Z.102 GT Berlinetta Enasa
Owners’ Choice Award: 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Villa d’Este
