Serving their primary function

As Peter Auto, the organiser of the Chantilly Arts & Elegance, pointed out, a car’s primary function is to be driven, and the preceding ‘Rallye Anciennes’ allowed the participating owners to do just that. The route snaked its way north from Chantilly towards Clermont, before looping back round towards the Château, encompassing Mouy and St-Leu-d’Esserent along the way.

A spirited drive

In typical French fashion, there was a lengthy stop for a gourmet lunch, during which passers-by could admire ‘the most beautiful cars in the world’ such as a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Sportabteilung’, an Alfa Romeo 8C proudly bearing the Scuderia Ferrari crest, and two Lamborghini Miuras. While the driving was spirited, the real battles remained to be fought back at Chantilly, in the Concours d’Etat.

Photos: Rémi Dargegen for Classic Driver © 2016