Renowned car collector and Alfa Romeo Owners Club chair, Peter Wanday, is gearing up for this year’s edition of Concours d’Elegance, Kenya’s premier car and motorcycle showcase, slated for September 28 at Ngong Racecourse.
The outspoken automotive enthusiast spoke to Capital Lifestyle on the significance of this year’s event and paid tribute to the late Bob Dewar, founder of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club and long-time director of Concours d’Elegance. Wanday hailed Dewar as a pioneer in nurturing Kenya’s culture of vintage and classic cars.
This year’s edition, dubbed the Bob Dewar Memorial Edition, is being staged in collaboration with Stanbic Bank in commemoration of Dewar’s legacy. “He played an instrumental role in nurturing the culture of vintage and classic cars. He mentored many people to take pride in preserving automobile history. He was indefatigable in promoting the classic car movement,” Wanday said.
On the partnership with Stanbic Bank, he added: “Stanbic aligns well with our vision. Concours is about elegance, and Stanbic’s stature as an international bank matches the profile we seek. Concours is not merely about displaying cars — it is also a fashion-forward event and a family fun day.”
Wanday, a lifelong automotive enthusiast, described Kenya’s classic car culture as having “come of age.” Once seen as a hobby, he said, it has now evolved into a cultural movement. “The growth in classic car interest has been exponential in the last few years, and Concours d’Elegance has played a pivotal role,” he said.
The event regularly attracts over 10,000 attendees. This year, highlights will include a Heritage Corner showcasing four iconic cars that made significant contributions to Kenya’s history, alongside a kid’s zone, a motor trade area, and vibrant fashion displays.
Wanday also broke down a common misconception: “Classic cars are those older than 25 years, though not every car over 25 years qualifies. A true classic is one whose value rises due to demand, rarity, or unique features. Vintage cars, on the other hand, are strictly those built up to December 1930.”
He lamented government regulations, particularly the 8-year importation cap, which he said hinders car collectors and fuels the export of Kenya’s best classics to Europe. He urged authorities to consider exemptions for vintage and classic cars.
Looking ahead, Wanday envisions Concours reaching global status: “The future is very bright. We intend to elevate it to match some of the biggest car showcases in the world. Already, we are the biggest Concours event on the continent.”