This Concours d'Elegance will recreate the atmosphere of the original Concours d'Elegance events that were held, here in Bexhill, during the 1930's. The only stipulation for entry is that the vehicles are pre 1939, any vehicle can be entered and there is no charge for entry.

The classes are:

• Best Saloon Car
• Best Sports Car
• Smartest Ensemble (including passenger and driver) to replicate motoring in the 1930's
• The Car the Mayor of Bexhill would most like to own.

The event will take place on the same site as the original Concourse event, on De La Warr Parade outside the Sackville Hotel. All cars that have entered for judging will be parked on the promenade and we will have experienced marshals on hand.

The venue for this event, with the views out over the channel is quite stunning. We have arranged entertainment of the era for children, a jazz band for the adults, light lunches and snacks will be available in the refreshment marquee. There will also be various art deco competitions representing the period, we are also organising a short run out for the vehicles with a pit stop during the afternoon. Judging takes place from 11am with the winners being announced at 4pm.

To give you a flavour of the event there is a resumé of the press coverage for the original Bexhill Concours that was held on 11th July 1934.

We do hope you will be able to join us for a nostalgic trip back to those graceful and carefree days of the mid 1930's.

Setting the Scene - Wednesday 11th July 1934 Concours d''Elegance

As reported in the Bexhill Chronicle

On Wednesday residents and visitors rallied to the support of the town's first Concours d'Elegance, where they saw cars with cruising speeds of much greater than 54mph, and capable of twice that figure. They did not, however, have evidence of their power (except when the judges lifted the bonnet to reveal a glittering engine), for Wednesday's event was no speed trial. It was exclusively a beauty show for motor cars.

Bexhill's first Concours was a brilliant success, and it is hoped that it will be the forerunner of many similar events.

The scene on the East Parade on Wednesday morning was a very gay one. The cars, numbering over 80, were assembled on the sea side of the road, occupying nearly half a mile, the Sackville Hotel being the centre. The sun streamed down brilliantly and the sparkling sea formed an ideal background for the long line of cars. It would be difficult to imagine a more colourful sight. There was a good display of flags and bunting of all descriptions and the cars themselves were, for the most part, painted in bright hues.

Judging began at 11 o'clock, the cars having been marshalled to their various classes earlier in the morning. Already crowds of people were inspecting the exhibits, and were soon expressing keen delight in all they saw.

There were 26 classes catering for every type of car imaginable, from the under £200 model to luxurious vehicles priced at over £1,500.

Competitors came from all over the country, London, Shoeburyness, Canterbury, Brighton, Hendon and Newport Pagnell are only the names of a few places where the news of a Bexhill Concours had attracted entries.

The judging of the cars did in no way concern the coach or engine work. In the general classes marks were awarded for elegance of line, harmony of colouring, and comfort and taste of interior.

Never before in Bexhill had such a galaxy of cars been assembled. Every car on show had some feature to distinguish it from its neighbours. There were, of course, the usual standard models in the smaller classes but among the big cars it was obvious that the models had not been tied down to price in their construction but had been built with the one idea of producing a unique and distinctive car.

The biggest car on show was a 50hp Daimler owned by a Mr A. Webber of Wandsworth, who carried off the prize in the class of car costing over £1,500. This model was the centre of great attraction, being obviously a car which the man in the street seldom has an opportunity to inspect. It was a magnificent car, its quiet black colouring being perfect tone with the dignity of the model.

Sports cars were well in the majority and made imposing pictures with their long, low and super stream lining. Among the most powerful were three superb Lagondas. Great interest was also taken in an MG Tiger whose radiator was smothered with badges of car clubs all over the world.

Ladies, somewhat naturally, took a very large part in the show. Nearly half the competitors were members of the fair sex, and some very charming ensembles were to be seen. It was noticeable that the majority of the ladies had charge of extremely fast looking cars. The models exhibited by them were, perhaps, the most tastefully coloured in the show. Most of the ladies wore hats and dresses, harmonising with the general colour schemes of their cars.

The success of Captain L.F. Plugge's SS in a number of classes was very popular. This big white car was in the charge of Miss M.L. Bloch and Miss A. Muckleston and among other awards won the Cup and Grand Prix d'Honneur Banner presented by Lieut Commander Montague Grahame-White for the smartest ensemble of car, passengers and driver. These two young ladies, dressed in white hats and frocks, presented a charming picture with their powerful sports car.

Among the other lady competitors was Miss Paddie Naismith, the actress, who with her sister, Miss Jill Naismith exhibited an attractive Standard car fitted with a radio.

Judging lasted for about four and a half hours, an interval of one hour and a quarter being taken for lunch at one o'clock. Shortly before 5 o'clock a low pitched drone filled the air as the drivers switched on their engines prior to a procession round the town of all the entrants. With the prize winners leading, a tour was made through the main streets, returning to the East Parade for the prize presentation.

The following is an article taken from the Bexhill Observer "Town Talk" feature of July 14th 1934.

"Wednesday's Concours d'Elegance, which brought together an imposing array of cars on the East Parade, inevitably provoked reminiscences of Bexhill's early associations with motoring, But I question whether there were many present at this week's interesting and admirably organised event who had personal memories of the motor races which took place on the same route 32 years ago. A competitor in 1902 was Mr S.F. Edge, one of the first British racing motorists, who visited the scene of his old speed triumphs on Wednesday, and doubtless found an interesting occupation in comparing conditions now and then. After an interval at pig farming in Ditchling, Mr Edge has returned to his first love, if, indeed he ever forsook it.

The Concours d'Elegance is something of a totally different character, and after seeing the very fine assembly of cars and the number of motoring visitors who were brought to the town by the event there will be few Bexhillians who will not wish that the Concours d'Elegance will become an annual summer attraction.