[Jeroen]

This weekend spanner mate and professional classic car valuer extraordinary Peter and I went to see the Concours d'Elégance Paleis Soestdijk. It is one of the best classic car shows in the Netherlands. It is held on the old palace grounds of our former Queen Juliana.

We have been visiting this Concours many times. In 2019 it moved from Palace Het Loo, to its current Location Palace Soestdijk. The formulae has been adjusted too. It is very much advertised as a family and life style event rather than just a classic car event. Next to classic cars there is lots of other things to see and do.

I wrote about the 2019 version here: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/beyon...therlands.html (2019 Concours d'Elégance Paleis Soestdijk, The Netherlands)

The list of the cars participating in the formal concours is very impressive. Have a look:







I live about half an hours drive south of the palace and Peter north. So we decided to meet up at a well known motorway restaurant, de Witte Bergen, nearby Soestdijk. I decided to take my Mercedes W123. I had not run for a few months.

Cruising on the motorway. Gorgeous weather, not to warm. The W123 doesn’t have AC.



I arrived a little early on the parking place at the restaurant. Had a nice cappuccino and some cake whilst waiting for Peter to arrive. Peter has a very nice Jaguar XJ350, which we drove to the palace. Parking facilities around the palace are a bit of thing. The general public needs to park in parking places 4-7 kilometers away, Free shuttle busses bring you back an forth.



As you will see there is also a “bring your own Classic Car” parking place as part of the event. You will need to pay a small fee and you park your classic there, right next to the main event. Your car needs to be at least 40 years old, to qualify for classic parking. But Peter had arranged for free entrance tickets and a VIP parking ticket. These sort of shows are becoming quite expensive. It cost almost Euro 30 for an adult ticket (INR 2400). But it is well worth it!

We parked and went in. First thing we needed to do is to see some people at various stands. So we walked across the terrain, enjoying the sight of so many cars. Very often as you will see very rare cars too.

We passed the special sprint track. They give demo’s with some very interesting pre-war classic cars. Lots of smokes, blue engine oil - and petrol smoke.









As I mentioned before, it is not just classic cars, quite a few of the more exclusive car brands were out here, RollsRoyce, Bently, Aston Martin, Ferrari to name just a few.



The main concours is in front of the palace.



A very unusual and rare 1951 Veritas Dana. It has a coach from Baur. The fifties were probably towards the end of the era where car manufactures allow coach builders to build on top of their chassis.



Many people will recognise this iconic car, even if you are not into classic cars. A Mercedes Gullwing. Will set you back at least a million Euro’s. Here you can just walk around it. We saw at least three of these scattered around the palace grounds.



Neither Peter or I are really into American cars. But this original Thunderbird is very nice. Proper colour too.



This is how a fully restored Aston Martin engine and engine bay should look. Work of art!



A gorgeous Mercedes 300SL, not as expensive as the Gullwing, but a close second!



Ferrari was out in force here, with many cars all over the palace grounds. Brand new ones and many of the classic ones.



This 275GTB/4 aluminium 1967 is quite rare, not sure what the going rate for GTB is these days, but it will surpass the value of the Gullwing by a mile.



My personal favourite Ferrari, the little Dino. Often not regarded as a proper Ferrari. But I think it is dropdead gorgeous, just like the 308.



Queen’s Juliana husband was Prince Bernard. He was a bit of playboy. He loved aircraft (he was a pilot, yachts, beautiful yachts and cars). So they had brought together some of the cars he had owned. Such as this Ferrari.



Unfortunately, Bernard was also bend. He took a huge bribe from Lockheed to influence the Dutch government decision on war planes at the time. He had to resign from various official roles at the time.

Some more unusual designs and cars in the palace grounds



You might think this is a Mercedes. There are Mercedes three pointed stars all over this car. But you would be wrong.



But you would be wrong. It was listed as a 1986 Isdera Spider 033-16 with a coach from Eberhard Schulz. Still, it looks they did rummage through the Mercedes part bin to build this thing. Interesting and very blue cockpit!



Very impressive line up!

[Jeroen]

In the old days, when Queen Juliana still resided here, the flag on top of the palace meant she was home. These days not any more, but there is still plenty to see, although no royals anymore.



This Citroen DS convertible is quite a thing. All DS convertibles were build under license by a company called Chapron. This is known as a DS Chapron. Well maintained these cars are worth well over Euro 100.000 (INR 8000000). Here is a link with some more information regarding the DS Chapron: https://citroenvie.com/a-guide-to-ac...s-convertible/





Honda had brought every single version of the Civic. From the very first to the most recent. I always liked the original Civic. Very pretty little car. The rims are not original but they do suit it well I think.



All around the palace ground there are little terraces. You can get coffee, tea, drinks, something to eat. It was not that busy. Certainly not as busy as last time in 2019. Not sure why, it might have something to do with the fact that the Belgium GP took place Sunday afternoon as well.



Whereas at the front of the Palace the concours was held with all very special cars, the grounds were scattered will all kinds of other cars. From the very special to just nice classic cars such as these. There are also various companies presenting themselves. From classic car insurers, to car restorers and art dealers.



A very special Rover. Asking price Euro 9000 (INR715000)



One of the very early Saabs, gorgeous little car.



Some more Saabs, the Saab club had brought some 30-40 Saabs!



We also visited the classic car parking I mentioned earlier. About 400-500 classic cars. From the very ordinary to some very special cars here too. The classic car parking is an integral part of this event. There are quite a few of classic car events that have similar arrangements. Like the Goodwood Festival. Or the German classic car part market I visited earlier this year. See https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-d...ml#post5334650

This classic car parking was a sight to behold!







Just another Ferrari to admire!



There was one exhibitor I have written about some time ago as well. PALV, the guys making the worlds very first commercial available and fully certified flying car, see https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/inter...lying-car.html (A visit to the PAL-V Factory | A close look at their Flying Car)





First time I got to see what the real thing looks like. It is quite large and obviously, quite orange.

Push propeller at the rear



Cockpit



It was very busy at their stand, so we only had a quick chat with one of the sales guys. Looks like they are a little behind on their schedule compared to when I visited their factory. First deliveries will be in 2024 and that means the flying certification is probably end 2023 at the earliest. I have been invited to come and take a test flight or at least try their simulator. There are not all that many slots about. Unfortunately, due to some other commitments I won’t have time till October. But I will definitely try and get onto the simulator at the very least.

One of my all time favourites, the Renault Alpine. I always liked this car, phenomenal rally car. It is also one of the few cases where I really like the modern re incarnation of the original one. I would love to own the new Alpine. I blue of course!



As I mentioned, Ferrari was out in force. Here a Monza SP1 Prototype:



How about a very black Ferrari Roma?



Pick a Ferrari, any Ferrari!!



We spend about 4,5 hours roaming the palace grounds. Met up with several people we knew, had some coffee and a bite to eat. Then it was time to head home. Peter dropped me off at the motorway restaurant and I headed home. The A2 motorway was undergoing some maintenance and had been closed down for the weekend, meaning huge congestion around Utrecht and the A27 motorway. So I decided to drive home across some little country roads and take a car ferry across the river Lek.





It only took me about an hour touring to get back home, much more enjoyable then getting stuck on the motorway.

Jeroen

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[carthick1000]

Thanks for the nice write-up along with pictures. I never miss these events now-a-days, as I know that I can always count on you to post a good coverage here on team-bhp.

Originally Posted by Jeroen

Honda had brought every single version of the Civic. From the very first to the most recent.

Did they also bring the new 2022 Civic eHEV? The newest gen looks very elegant (in pics) and has got one of the very unique hybrid powertrains (2L Atkinson cycle engine + 2 electric motor/generators + 1kWh battery and no transmission) and I am even thinking of getting it as my next one (after model 3 lease ends, but getting brickbats from wifey already for the idea ). I have booked for a test drive, as test drive cars will hit in the next couple of weeks. I presume, this event is sort of the NL launch event for the new civic.

Originally Posted by Jeroen

One of my all time favourites, the Renault Alpine. I always liked this car, phenomenal rally car. It is also one of the few cases where I really like the modern re incarnation of the original one. I would love to own the new Alpine.

+1. There are only a few Alpine A110 fans out there. I have no idea why Porsche Caymans are sold more than this A110!

[wheeledwanderer]

As always amazing post from Jeroen. Informative and intriguing!

[V.Narayan]

Thank you for taking the trouble to click all those dozens of photographs and then put together this thread. They all look so gorgeous or nostalgic or cute or elegant or all of the above. The thread deserves a second read.

[zalaps]

Thanks Jeron for compiling huge collection of pictures. Looks like you had wonderful time. Great to see Saab lineup!

Which is the car next to Gullwing?

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by carthick1000

Did they also bring the new 2022 Civic
1. There are only a few Alpine A110 fans out there. I have no idea why Porsche Caymans are sold more than this A110!

I a, not sure about the latest Civic. But they probably did. But you know me, the more modern, the more likely I am to lose interest.

The new Renault aalpine is, my humble opinion, one of the best cars you could buy. It really embodies the original one. Simple, lightweight and great looks!

When I win the lottery I will be buying many cars, but the Alpine is likely to be the first.

Originally Posted by zalaps

Thanks Jeron for compiling huge collection of pictures. Looks like you had wonderful time. Great to see Saab lineup!

Which is the car next to Gullwing?

Thanks. Sorry I am not sure what you mean. There is only one image of the Gullwing and no other cars are in that image. Or do you mean the image of the regular 300sl?

Jeroen

[zalaps]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

do you mean the image of the regular 300sl?

Jeroen

My bad. I meant 300SL.


P.S: We all know it's hard to remember any other car after seeing Gullwing

[abhi_tjet]

Some beautiful clicks there Jeroen. Thanks for sharing.

I attended a similar event (albeit on a lower scale ) on invite by a local colleague in Drammen, Norway. The event was quite informal with free entry. Your post refreshed that memory.
Sharing a few here Hope you don’t mind.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by zalaps

My bad. I meant 300SL.
P.S: We all know it's hard to remember any other car after seeing Gullwing

It’s a 1966 Reliant Scimitar.

Jeroen