Concours General Info

Concours d'Elegance

For more than 12 years the annual summer Concours d'Elegance organized by the Toronto Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America has been a favorite event around southern Ontario. Typically the most popular club event of the year, the Concours will showcase some of the best examples of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in our membership.

In 2007 our club proudly raised over $2000 for the Hospital for Sick Kids.

What is a Concours d'Elegance?

Concours d'Elegance literally means "parade of elegance". In the 1920s the French were the first to stage a Concours d'Elegance to showcase fashion models in the latest Paris creations drive up to the viewing stand with the ultimate luxury vehicles from the latest custom coachbuilders. Both the car and fashion were judged and awards given. The Toronto Section continues this tradition with a display of fine automobiles and trucks from Mercedes-Benz.

How are they judged?

Each vehicle is judged by popular vote except the "Best in Show" which is judged by a seasoned panel of judges. As vehicles are registered they will be placed into one of five categories;

• Street Sedans -  4 or more passenger doors (eg. S-Class)
• Show Sedans,
• Street Coupes and Roadsters - vehicle with 2 doors with or without an open top (CL, SEC, SL, SLK)
• Show Coupes and Roadsters
• X-class 4x4 and estate wagons, off-road, wagons and utility vehicles (B, G, ML, R, T, unimog, V)

Only vehicles placed in the show category will be judged for "Best of Show". Owners of each vehicle can decide if they want to place their vehicle in the "street" or "show" category.

Each vehicle that registers receives a ballot so you become the judge of other vehicles. So the car in the most perfect condition does not always win.

Trophies are awarded for the three top finishers in 5 categories, street and show classes, and a Best of Show.

Itinerary

This half-day event usually begins at

9:00 am – grounds open, vehicles arrive and will be positioned in categories, owners may prep their vehicles.
11:30 am – vehicle registration ends, ballots open for judging.
12:00 Noon – ballots box closes, best of show committee inspection begins
1:30 pm – tabulation complete, door prizes and awards ceremony
3:00 pm – grounds close

Since the beginning, the Concours has hosted beautiful cars among beautiful settings such as Appleby College, Spadina House, Cullen Gardens and miniature village, Chudleigh's Farm and the wonderful McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg.

This schedule will change according to the venue so please check the events page to review the latest detail of the next upcoming Concours.

How do I join in the fun?

We invite all club members to bring their Mercedes and show them off for fun and prizes. Any Mercedes in any condition is welcome. Don't' think your car is good enough to enter? The object of this event is to have a good time and kick some tires. You might get a surprise and take something home for the mantelpiece.

The nominal entry fee includes registration of your vehicle, a goodie bag, a voting ballot and chances to win various door prizes. There is even a discount for members wanting to enter more than one vehicle.

Free for spectators and free parking.

Visit our events page to find out when and where the next Concours d'Elegance will be held.

Not a member?

If you are not a member and would like to join in on this and other events throughout the year then come out and you can join on the spot. Your annual membership dues and entry fee payment enables you to join in on the fun right away and take advantage of all the other privileges of being a member of the Toronto Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America. To find out more about member privileges you can visit our membership page or to become a member right now visit the new member page.

The Toronto Section Concours d'Elegance committee would like to thank the following quality sponsors for supporting present and past Concours.

German motor imports         Shock performance

If you would like to become a sponsor for this and other quality events please contact our webmaster here.