Words: David Lillywhite | Photography: Sydney Harbour Concours
While events around the world are still being postponed and cancelled, the third edition of the AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance in Australia was able to go ahead as planned, to the delight of the particpants.
The three-day event at Swifts, the Victorian Gothic Mansion and gardens of Dr Shane and Mrs Penny Moran, started on the Thursday afternoon with the Southern Hemisphere launch of the McLaren Elva show car in Gulf Livery.
On the Friday, the concours started with 300 people watching the 60th anniversary E-type parade. On Saturday another 300 concours guests witnessed the arrival of 25 more cars in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive to compliment the cars from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia on the lawns, all competing for the Prix d’Honneur for the AXA Best in Show.
One of the stars of the concours was the 1966 Brabham BT19 in which Sir Jack Brabham won his third F1 World Championship and became the only person ever to win the World Championship in a car of their own making.
Saturday afternoon saw the auction sale of a 1961 Maserati 3500GT Spyder by Vignale for AUS$733,225. That evening at the Champagne Pommery black-tie Gala Awards Dinner the winning cars were announced, as below:
Class 1 Happy Birthday E-type presented by Paradise Garage – 1962 Jaguar E-type Series 1 Fixed Head Coupé
Class 2 It’s A Family Affair presented by Swissvax – 1976 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera
Class 3 Fun, Fun, Fun presented by Hyde Hacienda Bar + Lounge – 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GT
Class 4 Poster Children presented by McLaren – 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
Class 5 Black Jack in honour of Sir Jack Brabham presented by the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive – 2020 Brabham BT62R
Class 6 Style et Lux presented by Bulgari – 1922 Delage/Hispano Suiza
Best Motorbike – 1969 Egli-Vincent
Best Restoration – 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400
Curator’s Award – 1977 Porsche 930 Turbo Martini
Women’s Choice Award by public ballot presented by Aneka Manners – 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
Preservation Award presented by Chatêau La Gordonne – 1979 Aston Martin AMV8 Oscar India
People’s Choice Award by public ballot presented by Pommery Champagne –1922 Delage/Hispano-Suiza
Prix d’Honneur for the AXA Best in Show presented by AXA – 1936 Delage D6-70 Special by Figoni et Falaschi
