KENYA: The annual Concours d'Elegance in Kenya shows off the region's top vintage cars and motorcycles

Record ID: 1473000

  • Title: KENYA: The annual Concours d'Elegance in Kenya shows off the region's top vintage cars and motorcycles
  • Date: 1st October 2007
  • Summary: (AD1) NAIROBI, KENYA (SEPTEMBER 30, 2007) (REUTERS) PEOPLE LOOKING AT VINTAGE CARS / MAN TAKING PICTURE ON MOBILE PHONE
  • Embargoed: 16th October 2007 17:43
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA8QVZQL16FZXB6H21MJDJ0BD1
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Vintage car owners from as far afield as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania met in Kenya this weekend to compete for top honours at the 37th Concours d'Elegance.
    Motoring enthusiasts gathered in Nairobi on Sunday (September 30) for a rare display of vintage cars and motorcycles.
    The 2007 edition of the East African Concours d'Elegance, considered the biggest event of its kind in the region, attracted 114 motor vehicle and motorcycle entries. Vintage car owners from South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe also took part.
    Concours d'Elegance is organised by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club in Kenya and accepts cars or motorcycles built before 1982. Participants use the event to either sell, show off their classic cars, or win the prestigious prize.
    Although expert opinion varies, a car is considered vintage if it was built between 1919 and 1940.
    "I have brought a Ford Tudor. It's a 1928 model. I have come here to prove that old is gold. I hope I win the classic range of these cars today in the Concours d'Elegance," said participant Sunny Loyal.
    Loyal's Ford came fourth overall with 238 points and first in the 'Veteran, Vintage and Post-Vintage Cars' category. The oldest car on display was a 1924 Fiat 509, which came third in the same category.
    One of the most popular entries, was a 1916 Triumph Junior motorcycle owned by a South African collector. It was the oldest motorcycle at the event and won third place in its category.
    Now in its eleventh year, the Concours has become a popular event for Kenyan families and car collectors as well.
    "This is I think an important event for the motoring people, for the motoring companies, as well as car enthusiasts and you can find a lot of cars, right from the vintage period up to now. You find also the vintage cars, you also find the sports cars. So it is actually a good event for family, in fact the whole family," said Selva Rajab, the owner of a 1972 Jaguar XJ6.
    Each vehicle is judged on external finish, engine, interior, road worthiness and age.
    Mohammed Varves, owner of a 1958 Volkswagen Beetle, was the overall winner for the third time with 267 points.
    "There is something else I am rebuilding. If that comes through, by the time we come back here next year I will bring that one, not this one," said Varves.
    Winners from over 20 categories shared about 22,000 US dollars in prize money.
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