Renowned car collector and Alfa Romeo Owners Club chair Peter Wanday is bracing up for the this year’s edition of Concours d’Elegance, Kenya’s premiere car and motorcycle showcase, slated for September 28 at Ngong Racecourse. The well-spoken automotive enthusiast opens up to The Sauce on the significance of this year’s event and pays tribute to the late founder of Alfa Romeo Owners Club and Concours d’Elegance Bob Dewar, who he hails as a pioneer in nurturing the culture of vintage and classic cars.
This year’s showcase, a collaborative effort between Concours d’Elegance and Stanbic Bank, is dubbed the Bob Dewar Memorial Edition, as it will be in commemoration of the late Bob Dewar who until his demise, was the event director at Concours d’Elegance. “He played an instrumental role in nurturing the culture of vintage and classic cars. He mentored a lot of people to take pride in preserving the automobile history. He was indefatigable in promoting the classic car movement,” He hails Dewar, who he has since take over the reins from.
On this year’s event being in collaboration with Stanbic Bank, Wanday reckons: “Stanbic aligns well with our vision at Concours. We are all about elegance, and Stanbic’s stature as an international bank sits well with the kind of profile we are seeking to propel with our showcase. Concours is not merely about displaying cars but also a fashion-forward event. It is a full-on family fun day and Stanbic has those ethos and values that promote family unity.”
A lifelong lover of cars himself, Wanday describes the movement in consumption of classic cars in Kenya as having come of age. “Decades ago, it was seen as nothing but a pass-time activity. It is hitherto a cultural movement. I have seen lots of young people restoring old cars and expressing interest. The growth in the trends in consumption of classic cars has been exponential in then last few years, and Concours d’Elegance has definitely played a pivotal role in that regard,” He adds.
On a good day, Concours d’Elegance pulls a crowd of over 10, 000 attendees. What takeaways does Wanday want the audience to snag from this year’s edition? “It is a family field day, not just those with motoring passion. We have a kids zone, a motor trade area for those looking to buy new cars and lots more. There’s a lot more to learn from the rich heritage that motoring has cultivated in this country, in the Heritage Corner, where we will showcase four examples of cars that have made significant contributions in this country’s history,” Promises Wanday.
Classic And Vintage Cars
The civil engineer breaks down the difference between classic and vintage cars, two terms he admits people misuse. He says:”Classic cars are those older than 25 years, though not every car aged over 25 qualifies as a classic. A classic is also one whose value has significantly dipped as regards the normal depreciation rate, then takes a different tangent with the value rising steadily, not because of an inflation adjustment but due to demand by automotive buffs. Classic cars are either those that were either made as limited editions and those that were in mass production bear features that make it attractive to collectors. Vintage cars, on the other hand, are those built strictly up to December 1930.”
Fashion And Concours d’Elegance Convergence
Very characteristic of Concours d’Elegance is the show’s utterly fashion-forward nature. Attendees are known to dress to the nines in statement regalia, turning the event into a bona fide beauty parade. “Concours d’Elegance is French for “a parade of elegance.” When you combine the elegant aspect of cars and that of fashion, you derive a point of convergence. It would be bland elegant cars in display but with boring fashion,” Opines Wanday.
Government Support, Or Lack Thereof
“One of the challenges we grapple with is the 8-year cap importation rule that has greatly been an impediment the acquisition of cars in Kenya. We have become exporters rather than importers of classic cars, with the bulk of our good cars being snatched up by international buyers, particularly the European markets,” He adds, imploring the government to supporting car collectors by having a provision for importation of classic cars.”
As Concours d’Elegance, Wanday says that within the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, efforts to nurture young talent and drivers to appreciate and collect classic cars.
The Future Of Concours
“The future is very bright. We intend to elevate it to an international level to match the status some of the biggest car showcases in the world. We are already the biggest Concours event on the continent so we have pride of place amongst the best in the world,” Concludes Wanday.
