They say that you are never somebody until somebody spoofs you, and this is surely good news for the people who brought the idea of a “Concours d’Elegance” to the United States. With the joyful and satirical tendency, that informs all of the best comedy, it has taken little time for someone – in this case iconoclastic car nut Alan Galbraith – to come up with a counterpoint celebrating everything that is vulgar and crass in the automotive world. This he has done, with the first ever national “Concours d’Ignorance” set to take place this summer in Monterey.

As yet there is some question over exactly what the Concours d’Ignorance will entail. But judging by the name (French for “Competition of Ignorance”), attendees will see a celebration of awful cars – both in terms of performance and of look. With many people feeling that the Concours d’Elegance circuit takes itself somewhat too seriously, the ideal way to respond is surely to have a satirical pop at its excesses. No doubt, though, that people attending the newer alternative will turn up and see something that they really like. If this includes you, there is no need to be ashamed. As the organisers agree, the “Oddball, Mundane and truly Awful” of the Automotive world is something to be celebrated.