WORDS: ELLIOTT HUGHES | PHOTOS: SYDNEY HARBOUR CONCOURS
Australia’s Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance will showcase an eclectic selection of more than 80 vehicles on Cockatoo Island from March 1-3, 2024. Nestled on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the luxurious concours is a celebration of high-end motoring and elegance, food, wine and music.
The displays will include classic cars, supercars and motorcycles, as well as motorboats and sustainable vehicles. Highlights include a Ferrari 250LM, Lancia Flaminia SS Zagato, Alfa Romeo 6C 1750GT, Bugatti Type 57 Drop Head Coupé and McLaren P1, as well as the first right-hand-drive Porsche 356 Cabriolet and a highly original 1920 Ford Model T.
An expert international jury led by the vice president of the International Touring Superleggera Register, Alessandra Giorgetti, will be tasked with whittling down the nominees for the event’s Ampol Prix d’Honneur award for Best of Show.
Last year’s winner was a stunning 1962 Ferrari 196SP race car. Formerly owned by US racing driver Doug Thiem, the 196SP is the last of five surviving examples constructed for the 1961-62 seasons, and was extensively campaigned in-period by the likes of Pedro Rodríguez, Bob Grossman and Buck Fulp.
Complementing the world-class collector cars and motorcycles is the event’s celebration of high-end fashion, jewellery and watches, as well luxurious cuisine prepared by celebrity chef Sean Connolly paired with Pommery Champagne and Château La Gordonne Rosé.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn fresh skills from the on-site restoration demonstration hosted by Paradise Garage, in addition to gaining new insights from a series of fascinating talks and mini lectures held by YouTuber Larry Kosilla.
Renowned cartoonist Warren Brown will also be on hand to tell the story of pioneering motorist Francis Birtles’ epic 1927 journey from London to Sydney in his 1925 Bean 14HP ‘Sundowner’ race car, which will be on display. Warren plans to recreate Birtles’ historic journey later this year.
In addition to celebrating the past, the Sydney Harbour Concours will also look to the future with a selection of new vehicles that will make their Australian debut at the event. These include the all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre, as well as offerings from Polestar and new energy vehicle specialist Arc. Other highlights include the latest offerings from McLaren, Lamborghini, Range Rover, Porsche, Pagani and Singer, among others.
For tickets and more information, click here.
The full event timetable is as follows:
Friday March 1, 2024
9:30am VIP Ferry departs from the Australian National Maritime Museum for Cockatoo Island
10:00am Concours opens and judging begins
11:30-3:00pm Luncheon is served
11:45am Class parades start
12:15pm Seminar sessions open
4:00pm Concours closes
5:30pm Champagne and canapés at the Maritime Museum
Saturday March 2, 2024
10:00am Concours opens, class parades and seminars
2:00pm Class awards
7:00pm Champagne Pommery Black-Tie Gala Awards Dinner at Glass Restaurant. Ampol Best in Show Prix d’Honneur, ASI Best Italian Car, Preservation Awards etc
Sunday March 3, 2024
10:00am Concours opens
11:30am Electric and hypercar parades, seminars
2:30pm People’s Choice and Ladies Choice Awards
4:00pm Close
