We’ve always had a soft spot for Spain’s only concours event - not because it was the most spectacular one we’d ever attended, but because of the (until now) unrealised potential it held. With fantastic locations and weather that stretch well into the off-season on the Costa del Sol and those laid-back Miami Vice vibes, with supercars, hypercars, and classics glistening under palm trees across three balmy evenings, it always felt like something special was waiting to happen.
This year, however, exceeded all our expectations. Every aspect of the event was elevated - more refined, more intimate, and executed with a new sense of confidence. Under new ownership and management, the Concurso achieved what for years had seemed impossible: attracting cars from major manufacturers and prominent collectors across Europe, not just the local scene. As a result, brands such as Bugatti and Aston Martin were officially present in full force, joined by an extraordinary line-up of hypercars from Koenigsegg, Pagani, and Ferrari — including a few unique one-off commissions — as well as historic racing legends like the Le Mans–winning Bentley Speed 8 and the FAT International Viper.
With the odd Lamborghini Diablo GT or Countach Anniversary and a few Gullwings thrown into the mix - along with some palate cleansers evoking the Andalusian coastal spirit, like a Guardia Civil Renault 4L or a Citroën Méhari - it was clear that the organisers had done their homework. The judging panel itself was equally impressive, now composed of former heads of design at major car brands, international automotive journalists, respected historians, and well-known figures from the collector car world. Highlights of the display? The personal Piëch family Sonderwunsch commissions, a striking series of five colourful, Le Mans–inspired GT3 991s, Boxsters, and Caymans, plus two particularly special GT4 RS Caymans belonging to one of the most influential families in the automotive world. Add to that a pair of exquisite, coach-built Bentleys — the Zagato Continental GTZ and the equally rare Touring Superleggera Flying Star shooting brake — and you begin to understand the level of this year’s show.
But enough about the cars - they’re quite clearly visible in the photographs, along with the fantastic atmosphere that an event set around sunset always delivers in this part of the world (and let’s be honest, during the day it’s simply too hot, even in October). What truly makes the Concurso unique is its programme: from the opening mixer and first day of judging to the grand finale held within the prestigious La Zagaleta gated community for billionaires. Yet the highlight, without question, is the spectacular road trip to Ronda on day two - a drive over what must be one of the most beautiful roads in the world, culminating at the legendary Ascari Club circuit.
It was here that both participants and judges — as well as the event’s only invited media representative, yours truly — were able to spend an entire day putting cars through their paces on this stunning track. A lucky few even experienced passenger laps in one of the two Bugatti Bolides present — delivering the most vicious acceleration and cornering this side of an LMP1 car — or in one of the two Pagani Huayra Rs, or a Porsche 935. Except for three Ferraris — and a very excited Filip Larsson, organiser of the Aurora Concours, who managed a few laps in his Reuter-built early 356 — no one took their own car onto the track. And for good reason: the organisers had lined up a fleet of ten VW Up! GTIs in the pits, fully converted to Cup racing spec with roll cages, slick tyres, uprated suspension and brakes, and engines remapped to 180 hp.
So while the Koenigseggs, McLarens, Ferraris, and Paganis waited patiently in the paddock, the little Up! armada tore around the circuit from 11:30 to 17:00 (with only a short lunch break), driven like they’d been stolen - and proving once again that a light, modestly powered car can be far more fun (and infinitely less terrifying) than a 1,000 hp hypercar. Even a few judges couldn’t resist a go — something you surely wouldn’t see at any other concours in the world.
To summarise, the Concurso has clearly found its mojo by recognising the true assets of hosting an event in this part of the world: the weather, the hospitality (with additional lunches and gatherings organised from Wednesday onwards for those who arrived early or stayed between the main events), the magnificent roads, and the abundance of racetracks. While Andalusia might seem far removed from the established concours map of England, Germany, Italy, France, and Switzerland - which have long dominated the European car-event scene - with ingenuity and flawless execution, it not only holds its own against the heavyweights, but might just surpass them.
It wouldn’t be a concours without awards, and this year’s notable honours included the Classic Car Award, the Racing Legend Award, and the Supercar Award - which went to a stunning BMW 507, an immaculate grey Audi Ur-quattro, and a bespoke McLaren 750S Spider by MSO. Finally, Best of Show in the most hotly contested category - hypercars - went to the one-off, €10-million Bugatti Chiron Profilée. Its owner received a “challenge cup”-style trophy that will be passed on to next year’s winner (along with an engraved replica to keep), plus a special prize from Jacob & Co., one of the event’s sponsors.
More intriguingly, we hear from reliable sources that this year marks only the beginning of a new era for the Concurso, with even more ambitious plans in the works - including potential location upgrades and expanded track driving opportunities. We simply can’t wait. Hasta la próxima!
Photos by Błażej Żuławski
