REPORT - 2020 AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance
Words: James Nicholls
Photos: Courtesy of Sydney Harbour Concours
Cast your mind back a few months. To the beginning of March, specifically. Back then, all seemed well with the world. The Southern Hemisphere car show season was wrapping up and eyes were turning towards Northern Hemisphere events, Formula 1 and other motorsport competition. Unfortunately, the landscape has changed radically since then.
With everyone now under the cloud of COVID-19, it’s important to find some light, and there are few brighter lights for serious car aficionados than a high-quality concours.
The 2020 AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance was just such a concours - it definitely brought some light into the lives of those who attended.
Held from 5 to 7 March, it avoided the lockdowns that came down soon after; lockdowns that have resulted in the cancellation of just about every major concours since.
Shift to Swifts
After a stellar debut last year, the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance returned in 2020, with a new title sponsor in financial services specialists AXA. As in 2019, this year’s concours was powered by Ferrari, with new support from official time partner A Lange & Söhne, champagne partner Pommery, CEO Legacy Books, Swissvax car care products, Santa Vittoria acqua minerale, the Royal Automobile Club of Australia, the InterContinental Double Bay - the official hotel - and official media partner, The CEO Magazine.
In addition to these new and returning sponsors, the 2020 AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance also welcomed a new location – ‘Swifts’ on Darling Point.
Built in 1875, in the late-Victorian castellated Gothic Revival style, this heritage-listed mansion has wonderful history, but more importantly, ample grounds to display the hand-picked selection of 30 cars invited to this year’s concours.
Described by the Australian Heritage Council as “perhaps the grandest house remaining in Sydney,” Swifts had a long connection to the Tooth and Resch brewing families before falling into disrepair. It was only in the new millennium that it was restored to its former glory. That story – an old classic brought back to life – made Swifts a fitting location to present automobiles with similar tales of resurrection!
Soggy Start
The great uncontrollable with any outdoor concours event is the weather and the sky gods threatened the AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance from the outset. Torrential rain hit the event on the opening day, 5 March, but thankfully, the welcome drinks for vehicle owners that afternoon was held in the undercover garages at Swifts, thus avoiding the downpour.
This relaxed start to the concours also provided a preview of some of the cars that would be on display over the following two days. These included a stunning Jaguar XK120, a rare Jensen CV8, the radical Australian-built ‘Zacaria 1’ and a freshly-restored ’32 Ford custom roadster that can trace its history back to the birth of Australian hot rodding.
For the first display day, 6 March, the skies started to clear as the cars took their place amidst the beautifully-maintained gardens at Swifts – maybe it was a sign!
That evening, the focus turned to the InterContinental Hotel Double Bay, where deep-house summer sounds were complemented by Pommery Blue Sky champagne over ice as guests watched the sun go down over Sydney’s glorious harbour from the hotel’s rooftop terrace.
Sunny Finish
On the final day, 7 March, the sun came out in full strength, making the bespoke panama hats gifted by AXA a mandatory accessory. Refreshed by luxury Pommery Champagne and exclusive Château La Gordonne rosé garden parties, the concours’ 600 invited guests were treated to a selection of 30 of the finest cars in the country.
From a 1913 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost London-to-Edinburgh Continental to a 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo, more than a century of automobile history was on show, providing what was surely the most spectacular concours ever held in the Southern Hemisphere.
Highlights amongst this year’s entrants included a rare Bristol 402 and even rarer Muntz Jet, a stunning 1979 Rolls-Royce Corniche DHC, 1935 Lagonda M45R, 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz and a 1951 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT Coupe that had been driven up from Melbourne.
Cars with competition history (or at least competition inspiration) included a 1982 Lancia Rally 037 Stradale, 1987 Porsche 959 and the new Brabham BT62; the latter returning after featuring at last year’s concours.
Nestled comfortably amongst these supercars and limousines, more humble fare included a Renault Floride, Lotus Elan S2 and an incredibly well-preserved 1949 Singer Roadster.
In addition to the invited concours entrants, a further eleven vehicles were also on display at Swifts, with this group of non-judged cars including the aforementioned Jensen, Zacaria and ’32 Ford hot rod, as well as a Citroen DS, Porsche Speedster, quirky Citroen H van, a pair of Ferrari Portofinos and the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV.
With a nod to Swifts’ waterfront location, a vintage 1956 Donoratico speedboat also graced the grounds, while rare watchmaker displays by A.Lange & Söhne amidst the Victorian-era lawns and grand trees ensured no-one missed the time.
Concours Competition
With the 2020 field of entrants being equal to, if not better than the inaugural Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, the judges had their work cut out.
The jury was led by Andrew Bagley, Chairman of Salon Privé, ably supported by Wilhelm Schmidt, CEO of A.Lange & Söhne, and Jacquie Hayes, aka Madam Wheels. All three were well versed in the world of Haute Automobilisme, with Bagley and Schmidt travelling especially from Europe for the event.
As guests enjoyed more Pommery and La Gordonne rosé, the judges were busy lifting bonnets, inspecting paint and scrutinising interiors. With this year’s concours split over five main classes, as well as a Women’s Choice award, Ferrari, Pommery Champagne and A.Lange & Söhne awards, and the coveted Best in Show, there was much to do. When the day concluded and concours entrants and guests retired ahead of the event’s finale, the judges were no doubt relieved!
The results of that judging were presented at the Pommery Champagne degustation black-tie Gala Award dinner, held at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club of Australia, that concluded this year’s AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance.
The following cars took home the laurel wreaths of victory:-
- Class One - Wind in your Hair: 1949 Jaguar XK120
- Class Two - Pushing the Envelope: 1954 Muntz Jet
- Class Three - Power & Speed: 1987 Porsche 959
- Class Four - I.C.B.M.: 1913 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost
- Class Five - Mambo Italiano: 1970 Lamborghini Miura S
- Cavallino Rampante Award (Best Ferrari): 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso
- Women’s Choice: 1949 Jaguar XK120
- Pommery Champagne Preservation Award: 1949 Singer Roadster
- A Lange & Söhne People’s Choice: 1913 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost
- AXA Best in Show: 1970 Lamborghini Miura S
- Runner up: 1913 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost
- Second Runner up: 1964 Alfa Giulia Sprint Speciale
2021 Return
While few things are certain under the current climate, the AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance is committed to a return in 2021. A date has been set – 4-6 March, 2021 – and a new hotel partner, the five-star all-suite Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, will provide VIP treatment for concours entrants and guests.
To stay up to date, find out more details and have your vehicle considered for next year’s AXA Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance, go to: https://sydneyharbourconcours.com.au/
