Summer lovin’ for the 2022 edition of Concours South Africa which saw a pristine Mercedes-Benz 220 SE take overall honours for the Best of Show category. Here are some of the best bits from the day writes Alex Shahini.
“It is actually a travesty”, I told my friend and photographer Ivano as we arrived at the Broadacres location just before our clocks struck noon in the sweltering summer heat of the Highveld. A late Saturday night and a delayed Sunday morning routine meant that we had arrived a good one hour too late to the show. But after recollecting some of the photos, this was, in a way, actually a good thing. The cars were still plentiful, albeit less than a few hours earlier and the crowds were still milling around, creating a pleasant ambience around the bright colours and chrome overload but what remained were the majority of the pristine competitors for the day, going for the coveted Best of Show award.
Opting to leave a press-provided SUV at home, one of which is nameless and soulless in comparison to the automotive marvels for the day, the covers came off of my Alfa Romeo 156 which would get a well-deserved drive after almost a month in hibernation. Everything worked, joyfully, and as we approached the destination there were several other well-cared-for machines arriving in a tardy fashion and ready to enjoy the remainder of the show. Pleasantly and expectedly, there was a wide variety of cars scattering the parking area. New and old, European and Japanese, from the ultra-rare F40 trio to a duo of Fiat Cinquecento’s. Toyota South Africa even brought out the big guns in their freshly restored 2000GT which was recently unveiled and impressed at its official rebirth a few months ago.
Claiming victory – 1963 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE
However, it was a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE that would take overall honours of the show. Admittedly, German cars tend to lack soul and character for me being perfectly clinical in their purpose and pursuits. Being raised Italian, it was the obstreperous Alfa Romeos and Ferraris that would draw my attention but today was not one of those days. The presence and class exuded by the 220 SE were undeniably part of the charm that garnered crowds around its flawless bodywork. Perhaps this even scored it a few extra credits with the adjudicators. Either way, myself and my camera were drawn towards it, itching to get closer to the details and find some grime on this almost 60-year-old stately German coupe. There wasn’t. Not a single spec of dust and nothing was out of place from my limited encounter. Such well-preserved models such as this Mercedes-Benz, as well as all others present possess the ability to teleport bystanders to a bygone time.
Concours South Africa 2022 Best of Show winners
1st – Mercedes-Benz 220 SE ‘63
2nd – Porsche 911 Carrera 1984
3rd – BMW M5 2000
