Concours of Germany This WeekendConcours of Elegance GermanyThe French invented the Concours d'Elegance in the 1920s and '30s, then we here in America picked it up with the Pebble Beach Concours in 1950 and the idea spread across the country from there. In the last decade or two the Europeans have revived interest in the idea, and some of the world's greatest concours are held now at Chantilly, Heavenham, Salon Prive, and Villa d'Este.Three years ago the Germans launched the Concours of Elegance Germany on the shores of the beautiful Tegernsee, a picturesque lake in Bavaria only 31 miles south of Munich on the Austrian border. Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, it serves as a popular year-round spa destination.Now, for the third year in a row it will host a concours. Here's a preview of the 42 cars that will be there July 4-5.1955 Maserati 300 SMaserati 300 S chassis 3051 was completed on February 17, 1955, delivered in right-hand drive with Fantuzzi short-nose coachwork. In period, it was a competitive presence in American sports-car racing, recording several victories and podium finishes during the 1955 season. Results at Thompson, Cumberland, and Beverly underline its reputation as one of the most balanced and effective sports-racers of its era.AdvertisementAdvertisementA full restoration later reinstated the correct short-nose configuration, reversing a long-nose conversion carried out in 1957; a conservation-minded approach subsequently saw the original engine and transaxle removed and preserved, with service units installed for running use, protecting its matching-numbers integrity while allowing the car to be enjoyed enthusiastically on road and on track.Concours of Elegance Germany1979 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S Serie 2This is one of five Lambos in the show, the others being a 1976 Lamborghini Espada 400 GT Serie III, 1967 Lamborghini 400 GT, 1995 Lamborghini Diablo SE30, and a 1998 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster.Concours of Elegance Germany1939 Horch 855 Special Roadster by GläserRegarded as one of the most significant pre-war German luxury automobiles, the Horch 855 Special Roadster by Gläser is represented here by chassis 855007: the only known surviving original production example from a run of just five to seven cars. Its Gläser coachwork, with an exceptionally long bonnet, sweeping pontoon wings, and a low, dramatic silhouette, is among the most beautiful automotive designs of the 1930s.After passing through some of America's most celebrated collections—and an appearance on screen with Rock Hudson—it spent years on display in Audi's museum in Ingolstadt before entering the private collection in which it resides today.Concours of Elegance Germany1987 Sbarro AlcadorThe most striking and unusual car in the field, the Sbarro Alcador was conceived by Franco Sbarro and students of his ESPERA design school, using the Ferrari Testarossa as its technical foundation. Only three examples were produced; this is the only one that has been road-registered.AdvertisementAdvertisementBuilt without roof or windscreen, with transparent scissor doors and seats integrated directly into the floorpan, it anticipated the trend for high-performance speedsters by decades. Its twin longitudinal arches serve as rollover protection and channel fresh air from the headlamps to the rear.Concours of Elegance Germany1965 Bizzarrini 5300 GT StradaStyled by Giorgetto Giugiaro and clothed in hand-formed aluminum bodywork, this is one of the competition-oriented Stradales fitted with alloy panels, an aluminum fuel tank, quick-fill refueling and a roll cage. Its Chevrolet-derived 5.4-liter V8, in a front-mid configuration, produces around 425 hp in race specification. Purchased in the United States in 1992 and restored over three years in Modena to full Appendix K standards, the work was personally supervised by Giotto Bizzarrini himself.Concours of Elegance Germany1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport SpiderOne of five factory-prepared cars for the 1931 Mille Miglia, this fifth-series 6C 1750 finished fifth overall in that legendary race. Delivered new with a lightweight Zagato Spider body, it was later rebodied by Carrozzeria Touring with a unique one-off Sperimentale design featuring rotating bonnet air ducts and a fully retractable hood. Remarkably, it survives in largely unrestored condition today, retaining its original headlamp lenses, mirrors, and dashboard instruments, with ownership documented continuously from 1931.Concours of Elegance Germany1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K by Erdmann & RossiBuilt to individual order and bodied by celebrated coachbuilder Erdmann & Rossi, this 540 K represents the pinnacle of pre-war Mercedes-Benz engineering. Its supercharged 5.4-liter straight-eight managed to produce 180 hp, enabling a top speed of around 106 mph, quite remarkable for 1936. Finished in a rich red consistent with its documented original specification, the car has remained in the same family for 50 years and has benefited from an extensive restoration by a recognized specialist in recent years.Concours of Elegance GermanyAdvertisementAdvertisement1965 Alpine A108 'Tour de France'The 1965 Alpine A108 'Tour de France' is a featherweight, rear-engined French sports coupe designed by Giovanni Michelotti. Based on Renault Dauphine mechanics, this iconic Berlinette weighed roughly 535 to 600 kg (1,180 to 1,302 pounds) and was built for maximum agility on twisting rally roads.Its 904cc (or 998cc) I4 Renault engines were often tuned by Marc Mignotet to produce between 40 to 70 hp, which was enough to move the 1,179-pound racer around France.Concours of Elegance Germany1959 Maserati 3500 GT Convertible Prototype by Michelotti for VignaleThis is one of a remarkable lineup of Maserati machinery, assembled in honor of the marque's centenary year, ranging from sports-racing thoroughbreds to the grandest grand touring icons.The second of just four prototypes created by Maserati in 1959. Designed and engineered by Giovanni Michelotti and with coachwork by Carrozzeria Vignale, this car was presented on Maserati's official stand at the Turin Motor Show. It differs from all later production Spyders in numerous fascinating details: a larger grille, extended bonnet, crackle-finish dashboard, and nautical-flag badging.AdvertisementAdvertisementIts original specification mirrors the colors of the Vignale emblem: silver bodywork, golden Tridente, blue carpets, and red-and-cream upholstery. A period-correct restoration completed in Modena in early 2026 was closely followed by Maserati Classiche, who awarded it their 100th Certificate of Authenticity.Concours of Elegance Germany1955 Maserati 150S/200S PrototypeThe Maserati 150S is a racing car made alongside the Maserati 200S, to take over for the aging but still beautiful Maserati A6GCS. Depending on the source, between 24 and 27 examples were built, and one additional street-going car, called the Maserati 150 GT.Concours of Elegance GermanyGut Kaltenbrunn is a sort of events center on the shores of Lake Tegernsee in Bavaria. Nice place.Concours of Elegance GermanyGut, pronounced like a shorter, more efficient "good," means obvs, good, and Kaltenbrunn means "cold well." That's your German lesson for today.Concours of Elegance GermanyAdvertisementAdvertisement