In the 1930s, Eastbourne hosted Britain's premier motoring event-the Concours d'Elegance. Here, Bentleys and Delages, Rolls-Royces and Lagondas, alongside Wolseley Hornets and Singer cars, paraded before admiring crowds, set against the backdrop of the English Channel.
The early shows featured international and British competitors, along with trade participation, and organisers invited local dealers and craftsmen.
First, we tell the story of the first motor events, then detail when these shows, in 1928, came to Britain and Eastbourne.
This is a portrait of those seven remarkable summers. Using period photographs and original competition programmes, many of which are reproduced in these pages, as well as contemporary press reports, we record the cars, coachbuilders, and crowds that established the Eastbourne Concours as a symbol of taste and refinement during the golden age of motoring.
We also include in our book details of all the competition winners and their vehicles.
Among the most memorable moments, 1937 saw a striking Rolls-Royce Phantom III take top honours. The car, recently bodied by Park Ward and entered by the racing driver and car dealer, Jack Barclay, captivated both judges and spectators with its flawless elegance and innovative features.
