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To the Manor Born
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Concours d’Elegance
Michael Jackson
12/01/2003
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Photograph by Adam Duckworth
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With a reputed budget of $500,000 for an event of barely 18-hours duration,
Louis Vuitton thrives or fails on the subsequent exposure it receives within
high-end publications—a factor further influenced, if subtly, by the choice of
judges. While they’re drawn mostly from automotive design and publishing, there
are likewise numerous film and music icons who are genuine petrol-heads and
perennially keen to judge. A smattering of show-biz judges, you see, guarantees
a mention in the gossip columns. Energetic celebrity-spotters enjoyed rubber
necking the selection of thespians and minstrels, kneeling on the grass and
scribbling on check-boards, as decision-makers must.
In a tribute to the
late Barry Sheene, Colin Seeley, of frame-building fame, entered the same Suzuki
on which Sheene gained his first-ever 500 Grand Prix victory, at Assen, Holland,
in 1975. A total of 15 entries within the racers’ class prompted a sub-division
twixt tarmac and off-road machines. An evocative 1946 500cc Moto Guzzi Dondolino
from Sammy Miller’s Museum emerged as best black-topper, alongside a rugged 1972
750cc Norton Wasp motocross sidecar.
 Former UK champion Ron Langston and his 1961 Manx Norton. Photograph by Adam Duckworth. (Click image to enlarge)
The 2003 1850cc 4-cylinder Indian
Dakota, built in Scotland, scooped American Cousins, marginally ahead of an
Oregon-made Norton VR880 Commando in 2002 spec, 1971 vintage. Had logistics been
less difficult, there could also have been, we learned, a U.S.-built Vincent in
this category.
Early Days judging was closest of all. Choice lay between an
immaculate 1903 Advance and a tiny 1910 Douglas horizontal twin, each rated at
2.75 hp. Both were perfect restorations, presented as if exhibited, way back, by
the original manufacturer. The tight finish here, mind, arose after the
exclusion of a magnificent 1909 680cc 4-cylinder, shaft-drive Wilkinson,
complete with steering wheel, inasmuch as its entrant—all the way from
Austria—decided an eight-foot machine was too dangerous to ride on gravel. No
ride equals no prize. The dinky Duggie got the decision.
Best in Show was
the 350cc V-4 Jawa of Jean Francois Balde, a former French Champion. He’d
journeyed 1,000 miles from the Mediterranean with his exquisitely prepared 1969
ex-factory road racer. Once started (and Balde needed little persuasion), it
emitted a splendid cacophony—never mind the smoke—and consistently drew the
crowds. “Must every ring-a-ding be outlawed?” was the question in this scribe’s
mind. The Jawa’s win was universally popular.
LV’s 14th Classic was a
memorable day. Alan Cathcart, veteran racer-cum-journalist, unperturbed that his
own superb 1962 50cc CR110 Honda was unplaced, neatly described proceedings: “A
jolly good bash—and definitely the least strenuous day’s riding experienced to
date!”
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