The annual Macleans Bridge Councours d’Elegance was held last weekend at Lakeside Raceway, and I was lucky enough to have a chance to get out there. It was an awesome event to get out and see cars that you never see any other way – rare exotica and ancient British, German and French cars were par for the course, and the event delivered. Into the pics!
On entering, I almost got mowed down by this. Not a bad way to go I reckon. Very limited edition Lotus 340R with no doors or roof, 340 built in total. 701kg. Yokohama developed special one-off tyres just for this car (A038R).
A couple of Nagaris from boutique Melbourne manufacturer, Bolwell.
Many old-school Vauxhalls, MGs, etc.
There was a whole group of Ford GT40s. Holy shit these things are amazing, check out how low the roofline is.. My favourite was this purple one.
Quite a few AC Cobra replicas came out also. Some of these were absolutely mint, such as this candy apple red one.
Early 1970s Citroen. Looked to be in great condition on the outside at least. Citroen has always been a bit left-of-centre with their cars, and has (had?) a bit of a reputation for being unreliable, maybe due to the technology in them. This example has hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension. IN 1972!! Rolls-Royce, Mercedes and Peugeot have all used this system in their cars, but it was originally invented by Citroen.
Lotus: Simplify and add lightness.
Some mint Porsches out.
Anyone know what model Ferrari this is a replica of? 330LMB? In any case, this example has a BMW motor.
Another Fezza replica, in this case a 412P. Real ones are worth approximately $8M.
Check out the vertical dash in this ancient Mercedes, converted to a hearse.
3-wheeler oddity.
Many Ferraris, most of them 308 and 328s. This shape is one of my favourites. How wicked would one of these look with flares and 15x12s with fat tyres?!
A brace of Lamborghinis made an appearance: an Urraco, Diablo, a few Gallardos and even an Aventador…
Bringing us into muscle car alley.
The Concours d’Elegance itself was only a small affair with a handful of cars. But it really IS about quality over quantity. And the quality was blowing my mind. Look at this Porsche 356…
And Prince Skyline. Holy shit.
We’ll finish with this Jag E-Type. I can’t wait to see these cars next time. SO much more character than new cars!
