Appropriately in the marque's centenary year, a 1924 Aston Martin took both Best of Show and People's Choice at the ninth Antwerp Concours d'Élégance, held in the grounds of Kasteel Belvédère in Wijnegem on 8 September.
Belgian Hans Natens' sidevalve-engined Aston, known as ‘Jarvis’, fought off strong competition from some 100 outstanding cars gathered by organiser Nicolas Van Frausum.
This year's honoured marque was Lancia, with 20 examples ranging from a 1924 Lambda Torpedo, via unique 1937 Augusta 'John Charles' with March Streamlined body (above, with 1948 Aprilia), to a 1975 Stratos Stradale.
Among the other Torinese models grabbing attention were an 'as-found' Fulvia HF (above), complete with a coating of barn dust, and Leon Thiery's ex-Juan Manuel Fangio 1952 Lancia Aurelia B20GT (main image).
The ex-Michael Schumacher 1992 Ferrari F40 – a gift to the Formula 1 World Champion from Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo – was a favourite among the supercars.
Elsewhere, local enthusiast Patrick Van Remoortel brought his rare 1961 Porsche 356 Roadster D'Ieteren in unusual Sepiabraun livery, while the award for furthest travelled to the event went to respected historian Karl Ludvigsen aboard his 1935 Talbot-Lago T120 Baby-Sport Coach.
The Baby-Sport has independent front suspension and was the first model built at the Suresnes factory after Antony Lago took control of the Talbot marque.
Full list of award-winners below:
Best Pre-war Sport: 1933 Morgan two-seater Sports
Best Pre-war Luxury: 1939 Delage D6 Olympic Letourneur et Marchand dhc
Best Post-war Luxury: 1949 Delahaye 135M Guilloré dhc
1950s British Sportcars: 1955 Triumph TR2 Nessonvaux roadster
Swinging Sixties: 1960 Mercedes 190SL
Italian Exotics: 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter Ghia
50 Years of Porsche 911: 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight
Early 1990s Curiosa: 1991 Alfa Romeo SZ
Best Pre-war Lancia: 1924 Lancia Lambda Torpedo 2nd Series
Best Post-war Lancia: 1974 Lancia Stratos Stradale (van Eyll, B)
Best of Show Lancia: 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider
Prix ‘Dans Son Jus’: 1951 Lancia Aurelia B52
Best Restoration: 1966 Iso Grifo GL 350
Longest Distance: 1935 Talbot-Lago T120 Baby Sporty
People's Choice : 1924 Aston Martin
Best of Show: 1924 Aston Martin
La Mediteranee: 1965 Amphicar
Text and images by Mario Laguna; Aston photograph from Nicolas Van Frausen collection, courtesy of Philippe Collinet
Alastair is Editor in Chief of Classic & Sports Car and has worked on the brand, on and off, for more than 15 years