2010 Entrants

This year’s Concours d’Elégance comprises of the following seven classes:-

CLASS A - Jaguar: Celebrating 75 years of the marque

In 1945, the Swallow Sidecar Company dropped the “SS” name in favour of Jaguar and at that point, an icon was born. Jaguar made its name in the 50s with a series of extremely eye-catching sports cars, such as the XK120, XK140, XK150 and later, the E Type. However, they were not only famous for their road cars winning the Le Mans 24 hours race twice in 1951 and again in 1953. Luxury, superior build and performance are qualities that remain synonymous with the brand to this day.

CLASS B - Bugatti: Pre-war Touring Cars

Founded in 1909 and located in Molsheim, France, Bugatti was a manufacturer of elegant high performance automobiles. Bugattis were renowned not only for their engineering quality but also for their evocative almost artistic designs. Their engineering prowess enabled them to achieve thousands of race victories and many Grand Prix wins. In total, approximately 7,900 cars were produced of which about 2,000 still exist and each was designated with the prefix T for Type referring to the chassis and drive train.

CLASS C - 1970s Superbikes

The “Superbike” term was first used in 1970. It was in fact an accurate description of Honda’s brilliant new CB750 4-cylinder, which had been introduced the previous year. By 1971 most manufacturers had announced 750cc models, the majority fitted with disc brakes and electric starters, the first time in volume production. Whereas Commandos, Rockets & Tridents included certain features from earlier models the new “Superbikes” from Japan and Italy were perceived as clean-sheet designs. They were exciting days with several factories entering “Super-bike” teams in Formula 750, a closely contested international race series, where a success impacted directly on sales.

CLASS D - Maserati: The Orsi Era

Along with his brother, Marcello, Adolfo Orsi bought a financially troubled Maserati company in 1937 and in 1940, moved operations from Bologna to Modena. Following various fragmentations of the family’s business interests, Adolfo remained in active management of Maserati until 1968 when he sold the balance of his interest to Citroen. With the famous Argentinean, Juan-Manuel Fangio at the wheel, Maserati scored many stunning race victories during the 50s before focusing more on road cars towards the end of the decade.

CLASS E - Hypercars: 200MPH Pre 2000

The original Hypercars, all built pre 2000 and all capable of in excess of 200mph! Stunning examples from manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini and Porsche but how many of you remember the British-built Panther Six? With only 2 ever built, how many of you have ever actually seen one? A collection of some of the most outrageous, most evocative cars ever built.

CLASS F - Alfa Romeo: Classic Racers Pre 1940s

In 2010, Alfa Romeo celebrates its Centenary. Back in 1910, a new Milan-based company, ALFA appeared and in 1915, it was purchased by Nicola Romeo. In 1920, the name of the company was changed and so was born the marque as we know it today, ALFA ROMEO. Nicola left the company in 1928 and in 1932, the company was rescued by Mussolini’s government after which it started to build bespoke vehicles for wealthy buyers with bodies normally built by Touring of Milan or Pinin Farina.

CLASS G - Hollywood ERA: Big Fins from the '50s

In the 1950s, the Big Three, GM, Ford and Chrysler were locked in battle. Fuel was cheap, boulevard cruising was in and bigger was better. The industry was on a roll and answered with cars that oozed opulence – huge, powerful engines, fabulous interiors with the very latest gadgets, retractable roofs and enormous rear fins, which for a while, just kept on getting bigger and bigger………………

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