The Gulf Concours
Updated: Jun 24, 2019
Me with the 1955 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing at the Gulf Concours.
As in many other places in the globe, collectors and connoisseurs from the automotive world gather to share experiences, discuss and appreciate the best automobiles ever created. Many of these gatherings, the Concours, have become iconic and surpassed a discreet meeting with new concepts and models showcased by brands during the event: such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California and the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Como.
An event of this kind is now brought to Dubai, the Gulf Concours held its first edition over this weekend at the majestic Burj Al Arab. Fortunately I was able to attend the event and see these incredible masterpieces, both classics such as the Ferrari 250 GTO and more contemporary ones such as the 2016 W Motors Lykan HyperSport and the 2010 Pagani Zonda Tricolore.
The winners of this edition were the following in its respective categories:
- Best Classic Car: 1965 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta Sport Speciale (One off);
- Best Classic Design: 1970 Citroen DS 21 IE Cabriolet;
- Best Modern Bespoke: 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari;
- Best Special Edition: 2016 Bentley Continental GTR8;
- Highly Commended Classic Sports Car: 1966 McLaren M1B Can-Am:
- Highly Commended Classic Restoration: 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster.
Scroll down and click on the images to see more details from the event and the models featured in it.
Entrance to the Concours. Right at the venue's entrance you can find pristine classics such as the 1955 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing and the 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV. This bright yellow 2015 LaFerrari is the first one produced. Notice the inscription on the interior "1/499", which curiously became a total of 500 units after an extra unit was manufactured and auctioned with the proceedings reverting to the victims of the 2016 earthquake in southern Italy. This particular Ferrari is the last one created out of its series and features some particular details. A clash of both worlds: a classic Ferrari from a bygone era and a brand new Hypercar created in Dubai. One out of only seven, the W Motors Lykan HyperSport stands on the Concours' grass with its diamond studded headlights. Detail of the interior featuring plenty of leather and carbon fiber details alongside an unique holographic display on the center console. This masterpiece carved out of carbon fiber stands right at the entrance. Intended to be a one-off to celebrate the last Zonda built, it ended up reaching a production of three units. The interiors of this Italian supercar are as polished as the outside with an incredible amount of hand-made aluminium parts and finishes. One of only two hundred Lagonda Tarafs to be built was on display during the event. Last but not least this imposing Rolls Royce from the 30's. Overall a great event with some incredible automobiles on display, now lets see what the 2017 edition will bring!
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