The Chantilly Arts and Elegance Concours d’Elegance 2014 was held 6-7 September in France on the grounds of the Domaine de Chantilly, located in the town of Chantilly between Calais and Paris. The inaugural event celebrated the return of the Concours d’Elegance to France, a national tradition dating from the 1920s. Held in Le Notre gardens in the Chateau in Chantilly, the Peter Auto-organised Concours is now part of the conversation when discussing the top classic car events worldwide.
Sponsored by timepiece manufacturer Richard Mille, the 2014 Chantilly Arts and Elegance consisted of three judged events – a Concours d’Etat for classic cars, a modern car Concours d’Elegance and a competition for the invited car clubs on the quality of their presentation, the diversity and the originality of the models presented. The weekend also included a rally through the scenic Chantilly and Selis countryside.
Displayed in the heart of the Chantilly gardens, the Concours brought together some 100 exceptional cars divided into ten classes, each showing their curves amid the castle’s magnificent flowerbeds. Best of Show at the Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 was awarded to the 1937 Delahaye 135 M Cabriolet by Figoni et Falaschi owned by Peter Mullin. Known as the Star of India, the winning Delahaye was commissioned by Casimir Jourde, a personal friend of Figoni and devotee of streamline styling. Chassis 49150 was shipped to Bombay, where it was eventually sold to Prince de Berae Mukarran Jah. It serves as a centerpiece of the Mullin Automotive Museum in California.
Organiser Patrick Peter said, “We’re very happy with the first event. Major collectors from all over the world were here today. We were awaiting their reaction with impatience. This evening they’re absolutely delighted and that includes the regulars at the main yardstick concours d’élégance. Thanks to the exceptional setting provided by the Chantilly Château our event has different advantages. We now know that we can count on word of mouth to expand it for the second running which will take place next year at the same date. Today, some 10 000 spectators came to Chantilly included those who already follow us at the circuits. We also saw that there was considerable interest among people who don’t usually bother attending this type of event. Of course, there are details in the first one that we’ll improve, and the second concours will be all the better for it.”
Peter Auto announced that the second annual event will take place on the first Sunday in September 2015.
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Photographer Julien Mahiels documented the debut Chantilly Arts and Elegance Concours 2014, offering the following excellent picture gallery that shows the impressive entrants and the stunning setting at Domaine de Chantilly. We split up Julien’s photos into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, all displayed in the full-width view of Sports Car Digest, while the second gallery and award winners can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all the photographs. To see more from Julien, visit julienmahiels.net.
Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery
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Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Two
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Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Three
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Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four
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Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five
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Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Six
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Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Seven
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Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eight
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Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Nine
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Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Ten
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Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)
[nggallery id=730 images=15]
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Chantilly Concours d’Elegance 2014 – Award Winners
Best of Show
1937 Delahaye 135 M Cabriolet, Figoni et Falaschi
Tribute to Bugatti
1933 Bugatti Type 55
The Ancestors: Cars Built up to 31st December 1904
1901 Clement Panhard “Stirling” Tourer
The Interwar Period Sports and Racing cars
1930 Bentley Speed Six “Old Number 2”
The Great French Bodyworks from the 1920s and ’30s
1937 Delahaye 135 M Cabriolet, Figoni et Falaschi
British Chassis and Italian Bodyworks
1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato
The Design Years: the 1960s and ’70s Concept Cars
1966 Lamborghini Flying Star by Touring
The Untouched Cars
1967 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale
Endurance Pre-76 Central Engine Sports Cars
1969 Lola T70 Mk III B
The Great Bodyworks by Maserati
1956 Maserati A6G/2000 bu Zagato
The Maserati Racing Cars
1947 Maserati A6 GCS Monofaro
Concours d’Elegance
Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring
[Source: Peter Auto; photos: Julien Mahiels]
Great coverage Julien, one correction, picture # 12, Lola T70 ?, looks like the twincam engine belonging to the Nomad MK 1 to me…
Good catch Graham. We noticed the green frame and erroneously thought of the David Piper liveried T70.
And thanks as always for your great comments.