Chantilly Arts & Elegance is one of the most exquisite motoring events it is possible to be involved with. And to be a member of the Jury at one of the most important automotive events on the calendar is a privilege indeed. Even more than that to be for the first time in my judging career spanning some ten years now, I was honoured to be a Chief Class Judge of the most beautiful cars in the world.
There were 38 judges in total across 14 classes. Working in teams of three led by a Chief Class Judge we were set loose on the magnificent showfield that are the grounds of the Château de Chantilly. The Château de Chantilly is one of the finest jewels in the crown of France’s inordinately impressive cultural heritage. It was the work of a man with an extraordinary destiny: Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of the last King of France, Louis-Philippe. The site of this amazing French palace has played an intertwined role with the history of France from the 11th Century. From the Middle Ages it had been an important site with the current Château built in 1875 after the French Revolution of 1848 when the Duke returned to his homeland from exile in England and commissioned the architect Honoré Daumet to rebuild the Grand Château. The wonderful gardens reflect the grandeur of the Château itself. Covering more than 118 hectares (more than big enough to present the wonderful 1050 exceptional cars and the attendant entertainment for the 30,000 spectators the large majority in true Parisian style dressed for a day dedicated to elegance who turn up for this amazing extravaganza), the French-style landscaped garden first created by André Le Notre in the 17th Century features large mirrors of water reflecting the sky, with numerous statues, fountains and water features.
But before judging began and I could take my team on the manicured lawns to judge our cars in the Hommage à Ercole Spada (Tribute to Ercole Spada) class there was a matter of an early morning tour. The Rallye Le Nôtre took place on the warm Saturday morning covering a scenic route of 139kms through the French countryside and historic villages of the Oise department in the Hauts-de-France region an hour or so to the northeast of the centre of the capital Paris. What a joy to be rolling along the narrow lanes and farm roads in the sunshine in a 1953 Delahaye 235 coupé with its 3.6 litre six-cylinder in line engine with triple downdraught Solex carburretors. With me navigating the road book and my fellow jury member Ernesto at the wheel we turned a few heads with a sprightly performance.
After lunch at the Polo Club d’Apremont and a quick look at the ponies being put through their paces it was time for all cars to head back to the Le Nôtre lawns of the Domaine and a quick spruce up for the cars to get the attendant dust off ready for judging starting at 3pm.
Ercole Spada (26 July 1937 – 3 August 2025) was born near Milan and designed many interesting cars most notably for the famous coachbuilder Zagato. We had eight cars in this class and although we did not have one of his most famous design the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato to consider in our ruminations we did have some very interesting machines. These included a splendid little Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ to pore over, along with a one-off 1993 Ferrari FZ93 Zagato, the quirky and joyous 1965 Bikini Beach Car built by Spada himself, pretty 1973 Junior 1600 Z, wonderfully stylish 1963 Lancia Flavia Sport Zagato, a racy Fulvia Sport 1.3 Competizione Zagato from 1968. After much deliberation between myself, the knowledgeable Christophe Pund and our third musketeer, head of design for Alpine, Anthony Villain we decided upon the unusual 1965 Rover TCZ 200S Zagato which the owners had driven from England to the event as runner up and the class winner the sublime form of the Zagato bodied 1961 Alfa Romeo Guilietta SZ Coda Tronca. Interestingly it was presented in barn find condition, but it was just too an important car to turn a blind eye to having run at the Le Mans 24 Hours. A very interesting tale indeed of a car with a groundbreaking and breathtaking shape.
A reward for such a ‘gruelling’ day for we judges such as Aaron Shelby, the grandson of legendary Carroll, who of course judged the class entitled Ford& Shelby: Mythes Amércains, was the official black-tie Dîner Aux Grandes Écuries, diner in the Grand Stables. Celery and sea bass soufflé to start. To know how you do soufflé that does not sink for 500 people one must ask a three-star chef such as Arnuad Faye who prepared our meal. And the entertainment – a large stallion galloping down the narrow cobblestone aisle between the tables was somewhat exciting to say the least.
Early Sunday morning it was up early, the 14 Chief Class Judges myself included to deliberate on the Best of Show. After a wonderful picnic luncheon on the lawn, we and the 30,000 strong audience gathered to watch the car parades, the equestrian spectacle, the pyrotechnics and finally the announcement of the big winners.
The 2025 Bugatti Brouillard was Best of Show Concept cars, Restomods & One-offs, and after much debate earlier in the jury room the vote went to the 1933 Delage D8SS for Best of Show Avant-Guerre, whilst there was simply unanimous acclaim for the Best of Show Aprés-Guerre, the irresistible 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Superfast by Pinin Farina.
A stunning weekend that will be very hard to beat.
