I wouldn't exactly call myself a car enthusiast, but I definitely appreciate a nice-looking car.
Of course, there are definitely a few dream cars on my wishlist, but ask me about engines, horsepower or what's under the bonnet and... you might lose me pretty quickly. 😂
But after spending an afternoon at Concours d'Elegance Singapore 2026, I think I finally understood something.
Sometimes, you don't need to know everything about cars to appreciate them.
Because when you put history, craftsmanship, beautiful design and some seriously rare automobiles together, these cars start looking less like machines and more like works of art.
Seeing Concours d'Elegance Through a Non-Car Girl's Eyes
Held from 13 to 16 August 2026 at IMBA Theatre, Concours d'Elegance Singapore brought together classic, vintage and exotic automobiles in what was billed as the world's first immersive edition of the prestigious motoring event.
Instead of simply lining cars up in a conventional exhibition, the experience combined the automobiles with cinematic storytelling and large-scale projections inspired by legendary Grand Touring routes.
And I have to say, the setting made a difference. Walking through the exhibition with these gorgeous cars framed against changing landscapes made me pay attention to their silhouettes, details and personalities in a way I probably wouldn't have at a regular car show.
The history, the shape, the sleekness... Set against those spectacular backdrops, how could I not indulge in their beauty?
The Bugatti Bolide Stole My Attention
Of course, there was one car that immediately caught my eye.
The Bugatti Bolide.
Displayed right in the centre of the exhibition, it was almost impossible to walk past without stopping for a closer look. With only 40 examples produced worldwide, this isn't exactly something you casually encounter on your weekend outing. Just look at that beautiful streamlined body!
Futuristic, aggressive and ridiculously dramatic, it looked like something that had driven straight out of a movie. Dream car status? Absolutely! In fact, this might just be my dream Batmobile. Now, if only I could get a peek inside, or better yet, slip into the driver's seat for just a moment. That would be pure magic. 🖤
The Cars That Made Me Stop and Read Their Stories
One of my favourites was the sleek silver 1962 Jaguar Lightweight E-Type.
Only 12 of the originally intended 18 were built, making it an incredibly rare sight. Even without knowing its history beforehand, its shape alone made me stop. There's something about the curves and proportions of these older cars that feels almost sculptural.
Then there was the 1966 Jaguar MK2, a true icon of British motoring with a very Singaporean connection. The car was locally distributed by Cycle & Carriage and has been Singapore-registered since 1966, making it a rare survivor with its own piece of local motoring history attached to it.
That was when I started looking at the exhibition differently. These weren't simply beautiful old cars being kept shiny for display. Some of them had lived entire lives before many of us were even born.
A Singapore-Built Survivor From World War II
Perhaps the story that stayed with me most was that of the 1941 Ford Mercury Eight Convertible.
This car was built at the former Ford Motor Factory along Bukit Timah Road and was reportedly the last car to roll off its assembly line before the Japanese Occupation. It was subsequently confiscated by the Japanese Army during World War II and shipped to Indonesia in 1945, where it passed between the Indonesian Army and private owners.
Decades later, MSVCR member Kevin White purchased the car and brought it back to Singapore in 1998 before restoring it to its former glory.
Now THAT made me stop. Imagine everything that happened around this car during its lifetime, only for it to eventually find its way back home to Singapore. Suddenly I wasn't looking at a vintage Ford anymore. I was looking at a little piece of our history that somehow survived.
And Then I Found the Ancestor of My Dream G-Wagon...
If you've been around Huney'Z World long enough, you probably know I have my fair share of dream purchases.
Well, apparently I found another reason to add a G-Wagon to that list. 😂
At the exhibition, I got to see a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280GE, a predecessor to the modern G-Class that I've been dreaming about. Let's just say seeing where the iconic G-Wagon came from did absolutely nothing to cure me of wanting one.
Hubby, if you're reading this...
I'm just saying. 😏
What About the Concours Judging?
The competition itself is an important part of the Concours tradition, with collector automobiles evaluated according to internationally recognised standards covering areas such as historical significance, technical aspects, aesthetics, rarity, authenticity, elegance and condition.
The live judging took place during the Preview Day on 13 August, so having visited on the second day, I missed seeing that process in person.
By then, however, the winning automobiles had been announced and visitors could see the cars up close, with recorded judging highlights available within the exhibition. For me though, the competition wasn't really what stayed with me.
It was the stories.
Maybe You Don't Have to Be a Car Enthusiast
So, I went into Concours d'Elegance Singapore thinking I would probably admire a few beautiful cars, take some nice photos and move along.
Instead, I found myself reading about where they came from, how few survived, who preserved them and why certain models became icons. That's probably my biggest takeaway from the experience.
You don't necessarily have to understand everything underneath the bonnet to appreciate an automobile.
Sometimes it's about the history.
Sometimes it's the craftsmanship.
Sometimes it's simply standing in front of a beautifully designed machine and thinking...
Okay. I get it now.
And yes, I still want that G-Wagon. 😉
Concours d'Elegance Singapore 2026 was held from 13 to 16 August 2026 at IMBA Theatre, bringing together rare collector automobiles, immersive cinematic environments, automotive heritage and the prestigious Concours competition under one roof.
