I see the term Concours all the time when old cars are involved. I'm not sure what it actually means in regards to old cars. I think it means rare and extremely well preserved or restored to exact factory specifications.
Trouble is I wouldn't think any old Chevrolet would ever be considered Concours quality? tend to think only of cars classified and recognized as "Classic" by Classic Car Club of America as Concur
I know we loosely through the word classic around all the time to describe our old cars, even Chevrolets. I've always thought that Classic with a capital "C" was respectfully reserved for cars recognized by CCCA. I mentioned this once in a post and I had to duck to avoid all the flack aimed at me. Which sorta tells me itI was not well received.
Okay, forget about classic/Classic. Can a 33 Chevrolet be considered Concours? Can a 41? Any Chevrolet? Anyone here use the term for their old Chevrolet?
Who or what organization recognizes a car as Concours?
Someone straighten me out or just shoot me. Please!
Best,
Charlie
BTW: Guessing at the meaning will not result in any added value. Just as mine above doesn't.
BTW2: Does one have to dress up in period clothing and sip tea and eat scones in order to avoid frowns when attending a Concours event?
VCCA members have access to a list of over 50 Technical Advisors who can help you with your car. It's worth the price of membership! While you can get a lot of information for free in this forum, sometimes the info that you REALLY need is only available from the right person. This is what "The World's Best Chevrolet Club" is all about!
I have started using the term "vintage" rather than "classic" for our old cars. It seems that anything 25 years old is a classic (does a coffee maker purchased in 1994 deserve to called a "classic"?). Just sayin' Jeff
As far as I'm concerned, the CCCA or whoever they are don't have the copyright on the term Classic. If the VCCA wants to refer to a section of their show field as classic, then they have every right to. Remember, the Chevrolet Classic Six was around long before the CCCA. Maybe it's us that determines what the term Classic refers to...
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
I think, for me, it is merely a show of respect for the CCCA. Nothing more.
I would think the members of CCCA have a right to cringe when they see a lesser car, that's not recognized by their club, referred to as a either Classic or classic. I can understand their feelings.
No one has to do as I do. Not even my missus.
Best, and I do understand you point of view.
Charlie
BTW: I enjoyed the pictures of the birthday celebration. What a sweet little girl!
Thanks Charlie! It was an awesome party...even though the guests didn't lift a finger to help out at all! I think the giraffe drank a little too much too.
Last edited by brewster; 04/20/2012:31 PM.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
When I want to know what a word means I go to the dictionary. My dictionary does not include the word concours, but mentions it in discussing the word concourse indicating that it is an archaic word, Middle English, meaning an assembly. Google defines it as "an exhibition or contest, especially a parade of vintage or classic motor vehicles in which prizes are awarded for those in the best original condition." As I type this, the editor in my word processor is underlining in red the word concours telling me that it is either not a word or is misspelled.
I have been to a number of Concours. I have found them to be high class car shows of high class cars that were invited to be exhibited. The kinds of cars that are included is up to the sponsors of the concours and may vary from year to year. Chevrolets are sometimes included. A good friend of mine has exhibited his restored 1954 Chevy pickup at several concours. A few years ago it was best in its class and he won a bottle of very expensive bourbon.
Years ago there were only a handful of concours; today there seem to be zillions of them. The better ones charge a pretty penny for folks to look at the cars. You ought to look into showing your '41 convertible at the Amelia Island Concours next March.
By the way, classic means "of the first or highest class or rank; serving as a standard, model or guide;' or 'of enduring quality, interest or style." And Vintage means "being dated, old-fashioned or of some antiquity". When I joined the VCCA, the form I filled out to join stated that "The Vintage Chevrolet Club of America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of vintage Chevrolets." That was changed some years ago. Now it is just any Chevrolet or GMC, even last year's model. Vintage has nothing to do with anything.
Last edited by bobl; 04/20/2011:24 PM. Reason: corrected typo
Concours and concourse are not the same thing, although they are easy to confuse. One being a French borrowed word for a vehicle show, the other being a large centrally located room, such as in an airport or hotel.
Incidentally, seventy or eighty years ago, when my mother was interested in collecting antiques, things had to be at least 100 years old to be an antique. Some years later the Smithsonian Institute decreed that things fifty year old were antiques. Still more recently, car clubs and state D.O.T.s decided that vehicles that were 25 years old were antiques. Shows how definitions change with time. A 1995 car is now an antique. B.S.!
Haha, I didn't think about it but sounds exciting. Chevrolet is an old topic in the car world. Maybe some true fans would appreciate it. I mean now are more interesting models like Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW and models like this. Everyone nowadays loves good-looking cars which have speed. Also, I saw that many cars are pretty expensive, so many people are buying used cars. If one of you is planning to get a used car, this article will help you https://wealthtender.com/insights/money-management/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-used-car/
