What does “Concours Condition” really mean? | Page 2 | FerrariChat

What does “Concours Condition” really mean?

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by MRG22, Apr 19, 2014.

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  1. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,352
    Indian Wells, California
    Full Name:
    Jon
    I think this passage from the article says it:

    When an auction company, or other sales person, describes a car as “concours quality restoration” or “restored to concours standards” this should mean that not only is everything shiny and in excellent condition but it is restored accurately, or as close to the way the original creator intended as possible.

    The word "concours" is overused, usually by people who are referring to cleanliness more than accuracy.
     
  2. MRG22

    MRG22 Formula Junior

    Oct 19, 2010
    497
    California
    Full Name:
    Mike Gulett
    Exactly!!
     
  3. MRG22

    MRG22 Formula Junior

    Oct 19, 2010
    497
    California
    Full Name:
    Mike Gulett
    Yep, I agree,

    Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds - Dirt is Patina, Rust Is Desirable - The Barn Find Mania
     
  4. MRG22

    MRG22 Formula Junior

    Oct 19, 2010
    497
    California
    Full Name:
    Mike Gulett
    It has swung too far at some auction companies and TV show hosts.

    Dirt Is Not Patina And Rust Is Not Desirable
     
  5. Jaguar 15

    Jaguar 15 Formula 3
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    Mar 27, 2013
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    Great articles....the pictures kind of turns my stomach though to see those cars abused and left to rot. Even with a blown engine they could at least cover the darn thing. That is why I said "patina with age but spotless"....
     
  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
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    Brian Crall
    Preserved and left to rot are 2 different things.

    Some cars left to rot are good artifacts in the sense they are a window in time and can be useful for historic information but it is not reason to revere them.

    I sometimes wonder about Manny De La Rossas Barchetta.
     
  7. xs10shl

    xs10shl Formula 3

    Dec 17, 2003
    2,037
    San Francisco
    There's at least one specialist I know who takes great pride in his "patina" services, and I'm sure there are more.

    By far the biggest joke is the postwar preservation class at Pebble. Plenty of cars in that class that have clearly crossed the line - even if you don't do it all at one time, once most of the car has been touched, you've restored it, IMHO.
     
  8. gaspump

    gaspump Karting
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    Mar 6, 2013
    99
    SE indiana
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    bill
    I like the term " concours is a higher standard than original". Concours, a gathering of fine automobiles that should be higher, imo.
     
  9. Pass

    Pass F1 World Champ
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    Feb 29, 2008
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    Salida Colorado
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    For what it is worth; I am reconstructing my W194 serial #0001/52 car with parts that are in spec. and reconditioned for performance and safety but are unrestored and patina-ed to impart the illusion of a car that had existed since March of 1952 even though it was cannibalized and later scrapped by the factory in the early years of Mercedes return to racing after the war. I guess I could don my flame suit now.
    w194.com - Home
     
  10. Jaguar 15

    Jaguar 15 Formula 3
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    No flames from me Pass....beautiful!
     

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