The polished chrome and gleaming paintwork of these rolling masterpieces tell stories of heritage, rarity, and soaring value. Not only coveted for their aesthetic allure or engineering prowess, these cars are treasured as dynamic investments, accelerating in value through the hands of time.
I’ve had the privilege of visiting some sophisticated investment car shows locally and around the globe. Some years ago I had the privilege of travelling to Lake Como in Italy as a host to several South African automotive journalists to experience the Concorzo D’Eleganza held at the luxurious Ville D’Este. We had travelled from Portimão, Portugal, at the time for the launch of the fifth-generation BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe (both codenamed F80 and F82) and concluded the trip by ticking off a bucket-list experience in gorgeous Italy. The Concorzo D’Eleganza is a festival of beauty that takes you on an opulent journey to the heart of automotive luxury, where investment meets spectacle, and every turn of the wheel is a journey into the extraordinary. It is where some of the world’s rarest cars are displayed and paraded, and the BMW Group has used it as a launch pad for its Rolls-Royce and BMW concept cars – essentially some investment cars of the future. This year, the Concorzo D’Eleganza is scheduled to take place from 24 – 26 May. It is worth attending if you plan to spend time in the European spring. For more information, visit https://www.concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com/.
The annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is considered one of the world’s premier celebrations of cars, certainly a can’t-miss event for every car enthusiast. This year’s show is scheduled for 18 August at Carmel-by-the Sea along California’s Monterey Peninsula.
On local soil, there is the Concours South Africa, a similar concept to the Concorzo D’Eleganza. Since 2016, the event has brought together the finest classic, luxury, and sports cars from pre-war vintage to the modern era. It culminates in a competition limited to just 60 vehicles where owners of exclusive cars parade and present their vehicles to a panel of judges. Vehicles are judged on the quality of presentation, historical accuracy, technical merit, and style – and the best garner reward and recognition. At the 2023 event, a 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera owned by Ross De Abreu won top honours. I got to experience the Concours South Africa event in its third year when it was held at the charming Steyn City near Dainfern in Johannesburg. The eighth Concours South Africa is scheduled to take place at Munyaka Balwin, Waterfall Drive, in Midrand on 14 and 15 September 2024. For more information on the event and entry details, visit https://concourssouthafrica.com/.
If you are based in the Cape Winelands, you can also marvel at the classic and modern-day collection of investment cars at the L’Ormarins Franschhoek Motor Museum in the Western Cape. The museum’s collection exceeds 220 vehicles, with more than 80 exhibits available to view at any one time. For more, visit https://www.fmm.co.za/.
It is at some of these premier destinations for investment cars that not only a sanctuary for automotive excellence is offered, but also a gateway to unparalleled wealth and timeless elegance, inviting connoisseurs to secure their place in a legacy that transcends time.
