The Magazine Peter Auto #05 will be broadcast in new surroundings. After circuits and rallies, it’s time for Concours d’Elegance. The fifth Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille assembled automotive jewels of the past and future in the majestic setting of one of the most beautiful chateaux in France.
_The story of the Chantilly chateau is intimately linked to that of Henri d’Orléans, the Duke of Aumale. This great collector made his home a haven for his innumerable chefs-d’œuvre and precious manuscripts. He left behind no direct heirs so he willed his domain and his precious collections to the French Institute provided that at his death the museum would be opened to the public.
_Chantilly Arts et Elegance Richard Mille has been held on only five occasions. In that time it has acquired considerable renown to the point that it has twice won the prize for the Best motor car event of the Year at the International Historic Motoring Awards. It now has become a biennial event in alternation with Le Mans Classic and is eagerly awaited by enthusiasts and historic car collectors.
_Richard Mille has been a faithful partner of Peter Auto events since 2002, the year of the first Le Mans Classic. The superfluous has no place in Richard Mille watches. As in racing cars the function dictates the form without artificial gimmicks. Each screw, button, lever and spring must have all the necessary robustness and precision.
_On Saturday morning before the heat wave the collectors set off for their drive in beautiful summer light. This tourist rally of around 50 kilometers was organised for supercars and some 30 historic machines that are never seen on public roads. Can you imagine coming across a Talbot Lago Grand Sport Coupe followed by a Porsche 917?
_On Saturday evening smoking jackets and long dresses were required wear for the gala dinner put on for guests and collectors by Richard Mille and Patrick Peter. When the guests went into the Great Stables an enormous surprise awaited them as on display on the middle of the stage was the most exclusive of the current crop of motor cars – Bugatti’s “Voiture Noire!”
_But Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille isn’t just an event for motor cars. It’s also a rendezvous for families who came along to enjoy multiple free activities and entertainment in the domain. On the lawns of the Le Nôtre gardens the most beautiful cars in the world were divided up into 17 classes and put on show for the public.
_As its name implies a Concours d’Etat rewards the car or cars in the best state of preservation or restoration. Here in Chantilly there were only exceptional cars divided up into 17 classes. Mylène sets off to meet jury members to get a better understanding of the criteria they use to judge them.
_For the clubs, the lunch break is the highlight of the day. They are the life and soul of the elegant Sunday in the country and take part in the huge garden party. Elegance must be harmonious to hope to win the Grand Prix des Clubs awarded for the quality of presentation, diversity and originality of the cars on show as well as the care taken with the Luncheon on the Grass.
_Bonhams, faithful to the event since 2015, held a sale of hand-picked cars in the Chantilly chateau gardens. It gave visitors the opportunity to discover the effervescent ambience surrounding an auction. Among the exceptional models on sale was the Type 15S Gordini from 1952.
_In France, the concours d’élégance tradition goes back to the beginning of the last century. They soon multiplied following a simple principle: a lady, a fashion designer, a coachbuilder and a jury. They then went out of fashion because of an increasing lack of diversity among cars. Since 2014, Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille has brought them up to date.
_This year, numerous manufacturers presented their concept cars around the central lake of the château. Nowhere else was it possible to see a model dressed by Max Mara alongside the “Voiture Noire,” the BMW Vision M Next having its world premier or the McLaren Speedtail, which won the competition associated with fashion designer, Paule Ka. Rendezvous on Tuesday 16th July 2019 for the Magazine Peter Auto #06 dedicated to the second running of the Hungaroring Classic.
