Photo credit: The Isolation Island Concours d’Elegance
With most of the world’s countries currently in lockdown, cancelling and rescheduling all kinds of events, launching a new contest may seem like a bizarre idea: Nicknamed The Isolation Island Concours d’Elegance, the arrival of classic car models has hit the target. An original idea by Andy Reid, judge, editor of East Coast for Classiccars.com and auction expert for Magneto Magazine, the competition was held online, open to 1/43, 1/24 or 1/18 scale car models. The first appointment was held on 10th April. Anyone could participate, even though, just like in any competition there were rules to be respected: classes were limited to 25 cars and an offer to charities was highly recommended. To reach as many fans as possible, the maximum price allowed for a registered model was $350 and just like in a real competition, the story of how this car came into possession of the collector and what it means for him or her must also be shared.
The “Isolation” Concours took place over several stages: the winning models of first and second stages were authentic masterpieces. The first stage saw Alfa Romeo take home all the glory: the Best of Show award went to Sean Zeeck’s 33 Stradale Prototipo from 1967, while the Chairman’s Choice was attributed to Molly McCall’s 8C 2900 Mille Miglia from 1937.
In the second stage, the honours went to Mercedes and Maserati: Best of Show the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR number 722 driven by Moss in the 1000 Miglia 1955, by Koenraad Van Dorpe. The Chairman’s Choice went to the 1958 Maserati 420 M “Eldorado”, built for the Monza 500 Miglia and also driven by Moss, by Bruce R. McCaw.
The miniature cars were judged by celebrated personalities such as Keith Martin, writer and editor of Sports Car Market, Ken Gross, automobile historian, Cam Ingram of Roads Scholars, the founder of Fairfield Concours Bill Scheffer, Paul Russell, the Carlisle Events founder Lance Miller, Concours d’Lemons leader Alan Galbraith, Thomas Ross and racing legend Tommy Kendall. McKeel Hagerty was chief judge. Curiously, Bill Warner, president of the Concours d’Elegance of Amelia Island refused the role of judge so that he could participate in the contest with his own models!
The following list is a provisional one because, given the success, we can expect many more opportunities for participation in the near future. Here are some examples of The Isolation classes:
Class 1. US / European Classics 1907-1948
Class 2. Porsche 1939-1989
Class 3. BMW Cars 1929-2006:
Class 4. Postwar British Sports Cars 1946-1988
Class 5. Motorcycles 1905 -1989
Class 6. Japanese Sports and Racing Cars 1960-1995
Class 7. Ferrari 1948-1988
To register for the third edition, visit the Facebook page “The Isolation Island Concours d’Elegance” and read the rules. You could win an award live.