A Concours (pronounced: "Con-Kor") is a competitive car show to see which entry is the cleanest and most original. These types of events, originally called Concours d'Elegance, started in the 1800's when French noblemen would gather socially and compare their horse-drawn carriages. Today, there is a wide range of competition that goes from a simple "wash and show" to national events where every nut and bolt has been polished on the undercarriage.
Usually, the cars are brought to the judging area with only final preparation remaining before they are judged. The judges will then have approximately 5-8 minutes to judge specific areas of the car. They will be looking for cleanliness, quality of preparation, lack of damage, and originality. Below is a brief description of the various events and awards:
Wash and Show: This event involves the judging of the exterior only and is usually based on "eye appeal".
Top-Side Only: This event judges the quality of preparation of the exterior, interior, and storage areas of the car. Usually, originality is not considered.
Street Class: Judging of this class includes all areas with the exception of wheel well and full undercarriage areas. Interior, exterior, storage, and engine topside are judged with originality being optional.
Full Concours: This judging takes into consideration ALL aspects of the car including the undercarriage and originality. A perfect car can score a total of 300 points. Please keep in mind that a new car straight off of the showroom floor would only score around 150 points!
People's Choice Award: This award goes to the car that is chosen favorite by the people attending the concours.
Judge's Award: This award is given to the car chosen by the concours judges as their choice.
Best of Show: This award goes to the car that scores the highest point total of all the cars in the competition.
* Preparation: Cleanliness, absence of scratches, dings and dents. A stone chip that was touched up will fare better than one on which no effort to repair had been extended. Stuff happens, but you can't ignore those chips. The judges won't overlook them.
* Judging is "Hands On." Expect to have your car's engine probed, its seat cushions parted, and the storage compartment checked for dirt and debris. What should, or should not, be in the car?
* Whatever came with the car from the factory should be in the car. This includes owner's manual, spare tire, tool kit, jack and air compressor (if factory supplied).
* Take out anything not supplied by the factory: After-market mats, maps, tissues, loose change, radar detectors, CDs, cellular telephones, etc.
* Not emptying the glove compartment.
* Attempting to prepare and clean the car the day before an event. You are supposed to be competing in a show, not trying to sell the car to a neighbor.
* Too many novices focus 90% of their efforts on polishing and waxing, and the other 10% on whatever there's time left to work on.
* Spending too much time on the shiny areas and not enough in obscure places (e.g., pedal cluster).
* Applying too much dressing to seats and tires (a huge pet peeve of mine). If a judge runs a hand across the dashboard and it comes up greasy, oily, or messy, expect points to be deducted.
* First impressions count. Make sure your car is shiny as the judges walk up to it. This is the only time the shine will have a subconscious effect since only the exterior judge will look at it carefully and even then, really will be looking past the shine into the paint itself. When the doors are opened. does the interior smell like leather or will an aroma reminiscent of Kentucky Fried Chicken overwhelm the interior judge? This judge will appreciate it if you open the windows a bit to let the car air out. Judges do not like to be uncomfortable. After all, they are volunteers and not being paid to do this job.
* Judges are human. They occasionally make errors, so check your score sheets when returned.
* Be smart enough to avoid antagonizing the judges. Some of the same crew may judge at the next event you enter. Try to remember that this is a competition but still needs to remain on a friendly level. Many of the people against whom you compete are your friends.
* Finally, be patient. At the end of the day, everyone is tired, anxious to get the award ceremony over and go home. Determining the winners does take time, but don't try to hurry the scorers. Let them work in peace The sooner they can arrange the order of finish and give out trophies, the better. And always remember to keep the shiny side up.
