Guide to participating in elegance competitions

Discover my Guide to participating in elegance competitionsPractical tips for standing out at a classic car show. Experience the passion!

The Day My Classic Car Stole the Show

Have you ever dreamed of seeing your classic car shine under the spotlights, with everyone admiring every detail?

It happened to me a year ago, when I took my Seat 124 to an elegance competition at ClassicMadrid.

I didn't win first prize, but the excitement of preparing it, presenting it, and hearing the applause changed me forever.

Since then, I have learned that participating in a classic car exhibition It's not just a matter of luck: it's an art that combines passion, preparation and strategy.

In this article, I will share with you my guide to participating in elegance competitions, based on my successes, mistakes and what I have seen in car events throughout Spain.

If you want your classic car to stand out from the crowd, keep reading. I'll tell you how to transform your car into a star and enjoy these unique experiences to the fullest.

My first step in the classic car exhibition

It all started by chance. A friend convinced me to enter my Seat 124 in a small local competition. “Just wash it and that’s it”, he told me. Wrong.

I arrived with a clean car, yes, but with no idea of what the judges were looking for. I saw other classic cars spotless, with owners telling fascinating stories, and my 124 went unnoticed.

That's when I realized I needed real guidance to compete seriously.

Next time, at ClassicMadrid 2024, I came prepared. I didn't just clean the car: I polished it, researched its history, and practiced my presentation.

I didn't win, but I was among the top ten out of 50 participants. That day my guide to participating in elegance competitions, and today I want to share it with you.

Guide to participating in elegance concours: how to make your car shine

Preparing your car for the classic car show

The first step is the car. It's not enough for it to run; it has to dazzle. Here are my tips to get your classic ready for car events:

• Deep cleaningWash every inch, from the engine to the wheels. I used an electric polisher on my 124 and the shine was incredible.
• Original detailsJudges love authenticity. I restored the original emblems on mine, and that made all the difference.
• Impeccable paintIf there are scratches, consider a touch-up. I spent 200 euros on a professional, and it was worth every penny.
• Wheels and tiresPolished rims and shiny black rubber. A tip: use a special polish.

My lesson: put in the time. It took me two weeks to prepare my car, but seeing it shine in the classic car exhibition It was unforgettable.

Learn the rules of the game at car events

Every competition is different, and understanding the rules is key. In my debut, I didn't know there were categories like "Best Restoration" or "Most Authentic." Here's my guide to participating in elegance competitions:

• Read the rulesSome reward originality; others, style. ClassicMadrid values the history of the car.
• Choose your categoryIf your classic is rare, put it in “Exotics.” My 124 went to “Restored Populars.”
• Talk to organizersBefore an event in Barcelona, I asked what the judges were looking for. They said, “Passion and details.”

Tip: Arrive early to chat with other participants. In the Spirit of Montjuïc, a veteran gave me tips I'll never forget.

The story of your car: your ace up your sleeve

In a classic car exhibitionThey don't just judge the car, but its history. When I presented my Seat 124, I told them how my father used it to take me to school. The judges smiled. Here are my tips:

• Investigate his past: I looked up old invoices and discovered that my car had been in an amateur race in the 80s.
• Create a narrativeDon't just say "it's a 124." Explain why it's special to you or its era.
• Document everythingI brought photos of the restoration. A judge told me, “This shows your effort.”

At ClassicMadrid, I saw a guy win with a Citroën DS because he told us it was his parents' wedding car. History sells.

Practical tips for success at a classic car show

After several car eventsHere are my essentials:

• Practice your presentation: Speak clearly and with enthusiasm. I rehearsed in front of the mirror and it worked.
• Carry toolsA wrench and a rag saved my day when a nut came loose before the assessment.
• Dress accordingly: You don't need a suit, but something classic helps. I wore a vintage jacket and it fit in with the atmosphere.
• Connect with the publicAt the Barcelona-Sitges Rally, I let people touch my car. I won applause, not a prize, but it was worth it.
• Be humbleIf you don't win, learn. I asked a judge what was missing and improved for the next one.

My mistakes and how to avoid them

Not everything was perfect. In my first contest, I forgot to clean the inside of the trunk, and a judge noticed. Another mistake: I spoke too nervously and bored everyone.

My guide to participating in elegance competitions now includes: check every corner and be brief but passionate.

Data that will motivate you to participate

According to a report by the Spanish Federation of Antique Vehicles, elegance concours in Spain grew by 121% in 2024, with more than 300 events annually.

Participating isn't just fun: a good position can increase your car's value by 10-15%, according to Classic Trader. My 124 is now worth 6,000 euros, partly due to its display.

How Concours d'Elegance Changed My Relationship with Classic Cars

Participate in a classic car exhibition It taught me to see my car in a different light. Before, it was just a memory; now, it's a work of art.

Every event connects me with incredible people: the owner of a Porsche 356 who gave me advice, the family who applauded my 124 as if it were their own.

These contests are not just competitions; they are celebrations of the passion for classic cars.

Make your car shine at the next classic car show

With this guide to participating in elegance competitions, you have everything to succeed in car events this 2025.

Prepare your classic, know the rules, tell its story, and enjoy the ride.

My Seat 124 didn't win a trophy, but it gave me moments that no award can match.

What will your next contest be? Tell me in the comments and share this guide with your friends who love classic cars.

Let your classic be the star of the show!

+For you: Calendar of events for classic car collectors