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Jul 2024
World's most prestigious cars to be shown in Harrogate district this week
The Harrogate district is fast becoming a classic car enthusiast's paradise. Weeks after crowds came to Harrogate to see antique cars and supercars on show in the town centre, the district is to host an event that takes car shows to the next level.
The three day Yorkshire Elegance will be held at Grantley Hall from Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 July. Forty concours cars, dating from the beginning of motoring to the present day, will be showcased in the hotel's grounds.
The event has been organised by The Fast Lane Club, a West Yorkshire company that organises high end car events and tours.
It's head of events, Simon Smith, told the Stray Ferret they wanted to create a concours in the north that rivalled the most well known southern ones that attract the world's best cars:
Quite simply there isn’t a prestige high end classic concours in the north of England like Salon Privee at Blenheim Palace or the Windsor Concours at Hampton Court. We had a number of clients say all the fancy car events take place in the south of England.
For the past few years we've held the event at Bowcliffe Hall near Wetherby but we needed more space. Grantley has accommodation and has grounds that give space for the cars and also for exhibitors.
There are a number of serious vintage and classic car collectors in this part of north Yorkshire who are keen to make the northern event a success and will be showing their cars -alongside cars from all over the UK and abroad.
A highlight will be a pair of cars that show the huge technological leaps in motor engineering over the past century - a 1903 60hp Mercedes and a new 2000 hp Lotus Evija, an electric hypercar. Simon said:
This is an opportunity for people to see the absolute best – these cars get entered into the most prestigious concours in the world. Many being showed next week, will likely never be seen again here.
To have serious collectors around Harrogate bringing their cars adds credibility- gives it a northern feel.
The 60hp Mercedes is given special place – next to the Lotus. Showing a wonderful comparison and 121 year difference. Both are supercars of their generation.
The three day event will start with Ladies Day and then, on Wednesday, there's Revival Day where visitors and participants will be encouraged to dress in period outfits.
As well as the show cars a host of owners clubs will bring cars, each are allowed to bring up to 10 each.
As in all Concours D'Elegance there's an award for the 'Best of Show'. There'll also be an award for the best sounding engine - judged by children in aid of the Yorkshire Children's Charity.
General Admission costs £59.00 per person.
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