Concours d’Provenance (2010) – Recap & Photo Gallery

In the February 2010 edition of Vintage Racecar, editor Casey Annis reported that a concours d’provenance had been held in Palos Verdes, a suburb of Los Angeles. When I read it, I thought many of you might wonder what in the world is a concours d’provenance.

We all know what a concours d’elegance is. The words mean a “competition of elegance,” a competitive car show as it were. Supposedly, the competition is to determine who can show the most elegant car. The winner is selected by a judge or, more often, a panel of judges. Originally, I think, winning cars were elegant designs. These days, the most meticulous restoration is likely to win. Cars displayed are likely to be in even better than new condition. I’m told that competitors even go to the extent of aligning the slots in a row of screw heads.

A concours d’provenance is also a competitive car show. In this case, however, the idea is to judge who has displayed the best provenance. So, in the case of cars, what is provenance? Webster’s defines provenance as “source of origin or derivation.” The word is perhaps most commonly used with regard to works of art. The concept is to prove that a certain artist did, in fact, create the piece in question. This is vital in determining its value. Other factors, of course, are condition and rarity.

Due to my scribblings in this magazine as well as a few books I have created, I seem to be thought of as some sort of expert. I am often consulted regarding the provenance of a car. Even as I was writing this, I received a long-distance call from someone trying to trace the provenance of an AC Bristol the caller thought had been raced in Southern California during the fifties. (Unfortunately, I was unable to help; I seldom am; so please don’t call. We didn’t note VIN numbers then.)

Obviously, the collector-car market has burgeoned. I remember that in the early sixties, a fifties-era Ferrari that was raced was worth maybe a few thousand dollars. Now, of course, it may be millions. Just as with works of art, the provenance of a car is significant.

A few years ago, I was fortunate to attend the fall Goodwood Revival. I was struck by the emphasis on remembering how it used to be. Even the dress was vintage. It was important who had driven a car during its competitive life. That gave me the idea for the first concours d’provenance, which was held at a meeting of the Fabulous Fifties Association on April 16, 2005 at the site of the old road races that were held at Paramount Ranch in Los Angeles County. The Association has held annual events since then, the most recent last fall.

Although a concours d’provenance could include any and all cars, those held by the Fabulous Fifties Association have only been for cars that actually were, or could have been (same make and model) raced before 1970. Judging is based on: 1) the historic significance of the car; 2) the provenance provided (programs, photographs, paperwork, etc.); 3) the originality of the condition of the car; 4) cosmetic and mechanical condition. Extra points are awarded if the car is presently raced in vintage events, used on the road for transportation, driven to the event (not trailered) and if those accompanying it are in period costume. Special recognition is given if the car is accompanied by an original driver, entrant, crew member or offspring of any of them.

For the past few years, Davey Jordan has been the chair of the Fabulous Fifties concours. Davey, as some will recall, was a top driver, starting in 1959 in his Porsche Speedster. In 1963-64, he won the F-Production Pacific Coast Championship. Turning pro in 1967, he was the SCCA Class-C champion. The next year he drove a Lola T70 and a Corvette in Jim Garner’s team, as well as a Toyota 2000GT for Shelby American.

A few days ago, Tom Hollfelder called to tell me that the Elkhart Lake Historic Race Circuits Preservation Society plans a gala 60th anniversary celebration to take place on September 11, 2010. Racing was held on roads near the lake from 1950 through 1952. John Fitch will be the guest of honor. Fitch won in 1951 and again in 1952. Tom said that a highlight of the affair will be a concours d’provenance, featuring cars (or the same make and model) that actually participated during those years. If you have such a car, you may want to consider participation, contact Tom at [email protected]. You can reach the Society at PO Box 51, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020 or [email protected]. Fitch won both years in Cunninghams. Hopefully, there will be a significant turnout of this marque. For more information, log onto www.historicracecircuits.com. Or perhaps you may want to enter this fall’s event in Southern California. You    can contact Davey Jordan at [email protected].

I have included a few photographs with this column to give you some ideas in case you get the feeling you might want to participate or spectate. Winners, by the way, aren’t always accompanied by original drivers, but see if you can bring anyone who had a connection with the car during its time in competition. This makes the entry unique and truly memorable. By the way, I don’t think a concours d’provenance has to be only for race cars.

When I was a boy, I remember Civil War veterans (actually drummer boys then) marching in parades. At this writing, I heard that there is only one WWI vet still around and he’s over 100. Insofar as older personalities are concerned, a word to the wise, do it as soon as you can.