Sydney Harbor Concours d’Elegance 2021 classic car show event

Des from AutoFX WA-OPTiX Nano (Perth, Western Australia) was flown to Sydney as part of the SWISSVAX Australia sponsorship to assist with detailing vehicles entered into the 2021 Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance.

This event is considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any professional detailer. It is one of Australia’s most exclusive automotive events and is reserved for invited vehicles, owners, and industry professionals. Credit goes to Terry McLachlan (SWISSVAX Australia & NZ) for his continued efforts in supporting the detailing industry and making opportunities like this possible.

About the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance

The Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance is Australia’s premier concours-style automotive event, held on the edge of Sydney Harbour at the historic Swifts Estate in Darling Point, New South Wales.

Vehicles entered into the event are selected based on rarity, condition, historical significance, and presentation. The event regularly features some of the most valuable and significant vehicles in the country — from early racing machinery and rare classics through to modern low-production supercars.

AutoFX WA’s Involvement at the 2021 Event

AutoFX WA was invited to assist with the preparation and presentation of selected vehicles entered into the 2021 Concours. At this level, detailing is not about visual impact alone — it is about preservation, accuracy, and restraint.

Work carried out focused on:

Maintaining original finishes and materials
Fine presentation detailing without over-restoration
Preparing classic cars to concours judging standards

This type of work requires experience with delicate paint systems, historic materials, and vehicles where replacement or aggressive correction is not an option.

Use of Optix Products at the Event

During the SWISSVAX Australia sponsored event, AutoFX WA was permitted to use and represent Optix detailing products as part of our work on the vehicles.

However, out of respect for the values and heritage of the Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance — and for what the event represents — Optix branding and promotion were intentionally kept to a minimum.

This restraint was a matter of professional respect, particularly toward SWISSVAX, whose philosophy aligns closely with concours culture, and toward the trust extended by Terry McLachlan, who supported many of the first generation of Australian SWISSVAX Certified detailers.

While the opportunity existed to promote Optix more prominently, doing so would have conflicted with the spirit of the event, where craftsmanship, history, and discretion take precedence over marketing.

For those seeking further information about Optix products outside of the concours environment, details can be found at:
👉 https://www.optix.net.au

Why Events Like This Matter

The Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance serves as a benchmark for automotive presentation in Australia. At the time it was the most exclusive high end event by INVITE ONLY.

It highlights the importance of:

Correct restoration practices
Preservation over modification
Skill and experience over product hype

For detailers, it reinforces that the person performing the work — and the decisions they make — matters more than the brand of product being used.

Final Thoughts

Being involved in car show events like the 2021 Sydney Harbour Concours d’Elegance was both a privilege and a reminder of what professional detailing represents at its highest level. It’s the end of an era.

It is not about promotion or visibility, but about respect for the vehicle, the owner, and the history behind it — values AutoFX WA has upheld for over two decades.

Sydney – Day 1

The week began with a Jaguar E-Type Series 2, a car that instantly reminds you why this shape is considered timeless. We carried out a full two-stage Swissvax paint correction, followed by Crystal Rock wax. Wire spoke wheels were carefully cleaned, exterior chrome polished, and the engine bay detailed. Rubbers were cleaned and treated, and the interior leather was gently cleaned and conditioned.

By the end of the day, she was exactly where she needed to be — calm, elegant, and ready for the upcoming Sydney Harbour Concours.

Jaguar E-Type (Series 1 & 2)

Sydney – Day 2

A 1967 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Drop Head Coupé took centre stage today. Engine bay detailing, paint correction, fabric soft top cleaning, chrome and wire wheel polishing, and interior leather care filled the day. The finishing touch was Swissvax Crystal Rock Wax, bringing depth and clarity back to the paint.

Another E-Type, another reminder that restraint and respect are everything at this level.

Jaguar XK150 Drop Head Coupé

Sydney – Day 3

Celebrating 60 years of the Jaguar E-Type.
Today’s car was something truly special — a 1964 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Triple Weber Roadster, complete with optional hardtop. An all-aluminium, lightweight racing body finished in British Racing Green.

This one received a full Swissvax paint correction, leather care, and was finished with our Endurance Wax. Standing back afterwards, it was impossible not to appreciate the engineering and history in front of us.

- Jaguar XK150 Drop Head Coupé

Sydney – Day 4

Working on a Sunday isn’t so bad when you’re at Darling Point, right on the harbour front.

Today’s focus was an Aston Martin V8 Vantage (Oscar India). By the owner’s own admission, it hadn’t been detailed in around 30 years. It’s a family treasure — not perfect, and not meant to be — but after a full Swissvax paint correction and careful interior and exterior detailing, it looked remarkable.

The owner was genuinely delighted and has already rebooked us for next year. That kind of response never gets old.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage (Oscar India)

Sydney – Day 5

One of the most beautiful E-Type Jaguars you’ll ever see — the Eagle Special Edition.

After a Swissvax paint correction, leather care, chrome polishing, and engine bay detailing, the chrome wire wheels were removed entirely to clean the rear faces properly. Crystal Rock wax was applied for ultimate gloss and clarity.

We also carried out paint touch-ups, allowing them to cure before wet sanding and flattening for seamless results. Slow, careful work — but worth every minute.

Jaguar E-Type (Series 1 & 2)

Sydney – Day 7

An Aston Martin DBS V8 received the full Swissvax detail today, finished once again with Crystal Rock Wax. The result was an epic, deep gloss that suited the car perfectly.

Aston Martin DBS V8

Sydney – Day 8

A 1958 Jaguar XK150 Drop Head Coupé — or as it quickly became known, “drop-dead gorgeous.”

This car received a Swissvax Pro paint correction, leather care, chrome and wheel polishing, and was topped off with Crystal Rock Wax — at $7,200 per kilo, it delivers a finish that’s hard to put into words. The gloss and clarity were something special.

Jaguar XKR Supercharged

Sydney – Day 10

An Aston Martin DBS Volante – Carbon Black Edition.

Swissvax paint correction, paint touch-ups, and Crystal Rock wax brought out the elegance of this car beautifully. Refined, understated, and effortlessly classy.

Aston Martin DBS Volante

Sydney – Day 11

A Jaguar XKR Supercharged, finished in emerald green metallic.

It received a Swissvax Pro paint correction, full interior detail, and leather treatments before being carefully finished. Another example of how colour choice and correct preparation make all the difference.

Jaguar XKR Supercharged

Sydney – Day 12

Concours day.

The McLaren Elva — the only one in the Southern Hemisphere — flown in specifically for the event. Seeing a car like this in person, in this setting, is something that stays with you.

McLaren Elva

Sydney – Day 13

The Concours may be over, but the work continues.

A fine Sunday morning with no rest for the wicked, as they say. Today’s lineup included a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT and a 1960 Ferrari 250 GTS, both wearing Swissvax Crystal Rock Wax. In the reflection, yet another 1963 Ferrari 250 GT — moments like that make you pause.

A fitting way to close out an unforgettable stretch of work.