The 54th Africa Concours d'Elegance, a premier motoring event in Kenya, took place at Ngong Racecourse, showcasing a diverse collection of vintage automobiles, utility vehicles, touring cars, and motorcycles. Veronica Duder's 1930 Essex Super Six stole the show, winning the top prize. The event, which celebrates a century of motoring history, attracted a wide range of entries spanning over six decades, from a 1925 motorcycle to 1990s classics.
The competition was fierce, with Mike Duder's 1930 Ford Tudor tying with Veronica's Essex Super Six on 278 points. However, the Essex Super Six claimed the top spot due to the age of its marque as recorded in the logbook. Kevit Desai's 1968 Jaguar 420 secured third place with 270 points, followed by Umang Patel's 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL with 267 points, and Baldev Chager's 1986 Nissan Silvia 200SX with 265 points.
The motorcycle category also saw intense competition, with Rick Agagliate's 1941 Indian Scout 741 taking the top spot with 176 points. Dominique Antoine's 1925 Triumph 550SD, one of the oldest machines at the event, scored 175 points, just a point behind the winner. The motorcycle chief judge, Robert Gow, noted that the category had attracted a strong and varied field of 35 entries.
In the utility vehicle categories, Cloth My Ride's 1999 Land Rover Defender won Class 1 with 189 points, while Chirag Soni's 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ55 took the top spot in Class 2 with 200 points. Martin Sharrif Butt's 1957 Chevrolet 3100 won Class 3, showcasing some of the oldest workhorses at the event.
The touring categories were dominated by Volkswagen Beetles, with Elizabeth and Dereck Dames' 1968 Volkswagen Beetle winning Class 5 with 228 points. Paul Chemngorem's 1975 Toyota Celica took the top spot in Class 6 with 222 points. One of the most talked-about cars at the event was Baldev Chager's 1986 Nissan Silvia 200SX, an ex-works Nissan factory car with a direct connection to Kenya's rallying history.
Chager's 1986 Nissan Silvia 200SX was a highlight of the event, having been driven by rally legend Jayant Shah in several Safari Rallies and national events in Kenya and Tanzania. Chager spent 11 years restoring the car, aiming to preserve its historic appearance. The Silvia's restoration was a testament to Kenya's rich motorsport heritage.
The 54th Concours d'Elegance demonstrated the enduring appeal of classic motoring, with a wide range of machines on display. The event celebrated the history and beauty of vintage automobiles, utility vehicles, touring cars, and motorcycles, solidifying its position as one of Kenya's most prestigious motoring events.
Key points
- - Veronica Duder's 1930 Essex Super Six won the top prize at the 54th Africa Concours d'Elegance. - The event featured a diverse collection of vintage automobiles, utility vehicles, touring cars, and motorcycles spanning over six decades. - Baldev Chager's 1986 Nissan Silvia 200SX, an ex-works Nissan factory car, was one of the most talked-about cars at the event.
