REPORT - 2023 Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance
Words: Giacomo Scarabotti
Photos: Courtesy of Sydney Harbour Concours
To massage the opening line from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities in describing this year’s Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, ‘It was the best of times, it was the best of times.’
Given the fifth annual edition of this premium Australian concours event presented a truly stunning selection of cars, along with other luxury items, the description was entirely appropriate!
While it’s only a few years old, the respect that the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance has gained amongst the automotive cognoscenti is reflected in the event achieving FIVA certification and three nominations at the prestigious Historic Motoring Awards. Last year, against a range of premium events vying for the title of Concours of the Year, the Sydney Harbour Concours d'Elegance finished runner-up behind the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – that’s elite company.
The event is more than a concours, though, it’s a premium lifestyle and luxury occasion. This year, that was represented by ‘Concours by Calleija,’ an exclusive showcase of Argyle pink diamonds, including the 1.25ct Argyle Pink Tender Diamond, one of the most coveted diamonds from the final Argyle Pink Diamonds Signature Tender collection and worth $2.2 million.
As the famed Australian Argyle mine in WA’s Kimberley region is now closed, Argyle Pink Diamonds will never be unearthed again. Thus, they’ve become more desirable with each day.
Back to the Barracks
This year’s concours was held on 2 – 4 March at Hyde Park Barracks in the centre of Sydney; the same location as the 2022 concours.
One of Sydney’s oldest and most historic buildings, Hyde Park Barracks opened in 1819 and was originally a gaol, not a military barracks as the name suggests. With the end of convict transportation to New South Wales in the 1840s, the barracks was transformed into an immigration depot, then a women’s refuge. Later, the barracks became the home for various government agencies and law courts.
Completely restored last century and under the protection of a UNESCO World Heritage listing since 2010, Hyde Park Barracks proved to be a saviour for the 2022 concours, its gravel-lined grounds sloughing off the worst of Sydney’s soggy weather back then. Rain briefly threatened this year’s concours, too, but the storm soon passed, with the event enjoyed under glorious sunshine.
While the venue was the same, this year’s concours welcomed a new naming rights sponsor in Ampol. The rebranded energy company is looking to reassert its presence and signing on for the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance has been part of that.
“Ampol is one of the heritage companies in this country. We’re a transport company [so] cars are a focal part of the company,” said Steven Gregg, Chairman of Ampol. “This is a wonderful event, so we’re very excited to be a part of it.”
In addition to their sponsorship, the umbrellas provided by Ampol were also greatly appreciated during the aforementioned rainstorm!
Australia’s Finest – From Around the World
Each year, concours curator James Nicholls manages to attract a fresh crop of amazing and intriguing prestige vehicles from local owners, some of which rarely see the light of day outside of events like this.
For the 2023 Ampol Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, invited guests were treated to 50 amazing cars and motorcycles, their chrome and paint (and carbon fibre in some instances) gleaming under the Sydney sunshine.
With the relaxed vibes of DJ Mary (interrupted occasionally by the thrum of classic engines) in the background, a picnic luncheon served in the LGT Crestone lounge and an ample supply of Pommery Brut Apanage Champagne and Chateau La Gordonne rosé from Provence, concours guests perused this year’s curated selection that included a 1927 Bugatti Type 51 once owned by Fauvist artist André Derain, an iconic Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, early (1951) Porsche 356 and later (1973) 911 Carrera RS, along with a vivid green Lamborghini Miura that formerly belonged to 1960s supermodel Twiggy.
‘Viva Italia’ was something of a theme this year, with the Miura sharing space at Hyde Park Barracks with a Lancia Aurelia B20 coupe, Lancia Flaminia, Lamborghini Jalpa and Silhouette, a Ferrari 250 PF and Dino 246 GT, Maserati Sebring, a brace of Alfa Romeos (including a 6C that was driven from Melbourne to Sydney for the concours) and even a Lamborghini tractor!
There was also a Bristol 406 Zagato, which is essentially a Brit in a tailored Italian suit, and the ‘Abarth Sprite Special,’ a hybrid of Sprite and Fiat mechanicals under a sleek Abarth body that has a long local history.
For the crème de la crème amongst the Italian classics, it was hard to go past Peter Harburg’s 1962 Ferrari SP 196; a car with amazing performance and incredible provenance.
Beyond the Continent, the ‘Best of British’ was represented by the likes of a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, a supercharged 1934 MG Q Type, Alvis Speed 25 DHC, Austin-Healey 3000, first-generation Land Rover and Range Rover, ’62 Jensen Interceptor and a DeLorean DMC-12.
Modern fare included a Pagani Huayra Roadster and McLaren Speedtail, first-generation Honda NSX and a Ferrari 360 Spider that was a refreshing sight - insofar as it wasn't red and was once owned by Shane Warne!
When it comes to Haute Automobilisme, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, but the 1960 Plymouth Fury station wagon was a “challenging” sight with its Jetsons-era styling touches and unmissable pink-and-white colour scheme.
This year’s 75th Anniversary for Land Rover and 60th for Lamborghini were recognised, while the 2023 Ampol Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance was also a showcase for Maserati, Genesis, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Bentley and McLaren to present their latest wares.
In terms of motorcycles, premium brand Brough Superior (of Lawrence of Arabia fame) showcased their finest, too, while a classic Honda DAX 70 was spotted alongside the marquee of sponsor, Paradise Garage.
Speaking of sponsors, other supporters of this year’s Ampol Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance included Swissvax, Lockton, Renkhoe Jordan, Suixtil, Halcyon Auctions, Hilton Sydney, San Pellegrino, illy, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive, Benzina magazine and Three over Six.
Special Guests, Special Awards
After a day enjoying the cars and tunes, along with the company of like-minded enthusiasts - and the Pommery - on Friday, 3 March, invited guests retired to the Royal Automobile Club of Australia headquarters in Sydney’s CBD for a spirited auction of Objets Lux from the likes of Gucci, YSL, Hermes and Louis Vuitton, followed by a chat with classic car guru and this year’s guest of honour, Simon Kidston, hosted by James Nicholls.
Saturday, 4 March, saw concours judging finalised, with the best of the best receiving their awards that evening at a swanky black-tie dinner at the Royal Motor Yacht Club of NSW.
This year’s jury was once again led by Filip Bourgoo from Belgium, while Madan Mohan, founder of India’s 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours, finally got to Australia after complications prevented him from making it to last year’s concours.
Joining them were David Cohen from Canada, Allan Winn from the Brooklands Museum in England and local radio man (and passionate classic car owner) David Berthon.
Identifiable by their LGT Crestone Panama hats, the five-member jury spent much of Friday and Saturday poking their heads into cabins and under bonnets before retiring to confer and finalise their selections.
Competition for the Ampol Best in Show Prix d’Honneur proved to be the strongest in Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance history, but few would have argued with the Ferrari 196 SP getting the gong. Same goes for the 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost that won the Ampol Best in Show Pre-War award.
Competition was tough across the Class Awards, too, especially the ‘Racing from War to War’ interwar vintage class that included the ex-Jumbo Goddard MG Q Type (one of just eight built), a stupendous 1931 Bentley, 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C and a lovely 1934 Frazer Nash TT replica.
Looking Forward to 2024
Soon after the 2023 Ampol Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance was completed, initial details were released on the 2024 event, which is scheduled for 29 February to 3 March.
Next year’s concours will be held at a new location, with new attractions and new initiatives, too. Details on these will be released in the coming months.
For a recap on this year’s event, along with more on the 2024 Ampol Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, go to: sydneyharbourconcours.com.au
2023 Ampol Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance award winners
Class 1 – Racing from War to War, presented by Paradise Garage – 1927 Bugatti Type 51
Class 2 – Peace and Luxury, presented by Calleija – 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
Class 3 – Poster Cars, presented by Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive – 2020 McLaren Speedtail
Class 4 – Keeping a lid on Style, presented by Suixtil – 1951 Porsche 356
Class 5 - Country Life, presented by Benzina Magazine – 1977 Range Rover
Class 6 - Sports Cars of the ’60s and ’70s, presented by Lockton Performance – 1978 Lamborghini Silhouette
Class 7 – Sports Racing Cars, presented by LGT Crestone – 1962 Ferrari 196 SP
Preservation Pre-War, presented by Chateau La Gordonne – 1934 Frazer Nash TT Replica
Preservation Post War, presented by Brough Superior – 1984 Lamborghini Jalpa
Best Restoration, presented by Swissvax – 1965 Maserati Sebring
Passion – Pre-War, presented by Magneto Magazine – 1934 MG Q Type
Passion – Post War, presented by Magneto Magazine – 1958 Abarth Sprite Special
Ladies’ Choice, presented by Renkhoe Jordan - 2019 Pagani Huayra Roadster
People’s Choice, presented by Pommery – 1951 Porsche 356
Ampol Heritage Best in Show Pre-War – 1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP ‘Nareeb’ Silver Ghost
Ampol Best in Show Prix d'Honneur – 1962 Ferrari SP 196
