DeTomaso Mailing List: June 2000, Message #99

Cal wrote:

>I knew that vehicles undergoing
a competitive inspection in different classes would essentially have to
be totally factory stock or rebuilt to those standards. Yet, I heard
that term used loosely as "concour standards" on non-stock Panteras (no
d'elegance entries here). Can anyone explain?

>>>From Websters:

concours d'elegance (French:  concours d'elegance, literally, competition of 
elegance) (1950):  a show or contest of vehicles and accessories in which the 
entires are judged chiefly on excellent of appearance and turnout.

Basically, it's a fancy schmancy car show.  Some people are telling the truth 
when they say their car is prepared to concours standard--literally that 
would mean that it was prepared to a standard that would be appropriate in a 
"proper" concours such as Pebble Beach, etc.  That means stock, original to 
the max.

Lots of people have misappropriated the term and have labelled their cars as 
being prepared to "concours standard" when in fact what they really mean to 
say is, "gosh, it sure looks nice."  By that I'm referring to some of those 
absolutely beautifully prepared Pantera show cars festooned with wings and 
flares and chrome and all that stuff.  Exquisitely nice, no doubt.  But such 
a vehicle would never be allowed in a proper concours. 

Heck, even Brock (Stock is King) Tella might have a tough time getting his 
car accepted in a "real" concours due to modifications! :>)

Mike