Many years ago, the French people used to have contests where horse-drawn carriages were compared to one another in order to see which was the most opulent and beautiful. Prizes were bestowed on the finest carriages. As time went on, the horses disappeared from the contest as it became more about the carriage. Then the carriages disappeared as well, as the contest became about cars. One thing that stayed intact was the name of this pursuit – un Concours d’Elegance – meaning “a competition of elegance”. Now, not only are such contests held in France, but also they have spread out to other places, none more so than the USA.

The most famous Concours d’Elegance in the world right now is at Pebble Beach. So concerned with elegance are the entrants at Pebble Beach, that often the cars that are shown at the Concours have never been driven. If one must drive the car even a short distance, it is not uncommon to see the owner then set to removing any slight tarnish that may have been caused to the underside, the tires and wheels or any other part of the car. The cars are divided into different classes by factors such as nationality, time period and type. An award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance means that you have kept your car in better than mint condition, and the competition is a major attraction for car artists and art enthusiasts from America and beyond.