fbpx
Select Page

Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court

Oliver Flower

Hampton Court Palace was the host venue for the Concours of Elegance which took place from 4-6 Sept 2020, claimed as the  first major global concours d’elegance event since March.

If you missed all the glittery classic assemblage, then here is our quick round-up;

The ‘Best in Show’ award, voted by the owners of these cars, went to the Porsche 917 KH driven to victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 1970 – Porsche’s first win at Le Mans driven y Hans Hermann and Richard Attwood.

Pic: Oliver Flower

The winner of the event’s all-new ‘Junior Concours, sponsored by The Little Car Company’ Best in Show prize went to a petrol-powered three-quarter scale replica of this very car, named victorious against 10 other scale children’s classics.

Oliver Flower

Simon Hildrew

John Retter

Greeting visitors as they emerged from Henry VIII’s former home and into the Fountain Gardens was a special Ford vs. Ferrari display, paying homage to some of Le Mans 24 Hours’ most famous racers. Among them was a Ford GT40, a Ferrari 250 LM, 365 P2 and a stunning Ferrari 250 GTO.

Oliver Flower

Awards were also given out for different classes and eras.  Once more judged by the owners of the Main Concours cars, the winners included the very first production Land Rover – making its debut following an enormously detailed restoration – and an Alfa Romeo 6C 1750, famed for its Mille Miglia win in the 1920s.

John Retter

Outside of the main Concours of Elegance cars, nearly 1000 other models parked at Hampton Court Palace for the weekend, including a collection of Future Classics, from a Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer to a Bentley Continental GT No.1 Edition.

Oliver Flower

Despite the quality on display, there could really only be one winner: the Aston Martin Victor. This one-off commission is the most powerful road-legal naturally aspirated Aston Martin has ever produced, boasting 836bhp. With styling inspired by the 1980s Vantage, the mechanicals are thoroughly modern, comprised of race-ready powertrain and chassis components and lightweight carbon fibre.

Oliver Flower

Also on display were some of the finest examples from the UK’s most prestigious car clubs, as part of the Club Trophy presented by the Royal Automobile Club and supported by Classic & Sports Car. A panel of expert judges, including HRH Prince Michael of Kent and Classic and Sports Car editor, Alastair Clements, deemed a Messerschmitt KR200 to be the best on display. Powered by a two stroke 191cc Fichtel & Sachs engine that produces a modest 9bhp, the Messerschmitt wasn’t the most powerful car in the Concours, but its charming design and excellent condition won over the judges. It will now take its place among the main concours cars for the Concours of Elegance 2021, which is already scheduled to take place from 3-5 September, as part of a special tenth running of the event.

The three-wheeled bubble car designed by the aircraft engineer Fritz Fend and produced in the factory of the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt from 1955 to 1964. This particular example was first registered on 25 June 1962 in Brighton, Sussex. It was an original deluxe model complete with a snake skin interior supplied by Redhill Motors. Little is known about the early history of the car, only that it stayed in the ownership of its first owner until 2005 and used as a daily runabout right up to the early 1980s, when it was then laid up in a garage. Its current owner purchased the vehicle as a non-running wreck in 2005 and underwent an eleven-year fastidious bare metal restoration to its current splendid glory. All work except from the final paint application was completed by its current owner.

Car Club displays, sponsored by Classic & Sports Car, formed a line-up of individual marques around the perimeter of the Garden, including the Jenson Owners’ Club, Alvis Owners’ Club, XK Club, E-type Club and more. Each day the Classic & Sports Car editorial team picked their favourite, awarding a Lotus Eclat – owned by its current custodian for more than 30 years – and a Jaguar XK120 Roadster, finished in a striking bronze. This very same XK120 also caught the eye of the Jaguar Trophy judges, winning the top prize from a line-up of gathered E-types, XKs and more.

Picture by: Simon Hildrew

Picture by: Simon Hildrew

On Sunday 6th September, the Concours of Elegance welcomed in a line-up of distinguished Bentley models throughout the ages, each competing for the event’s Bentley Trophy. A judging panel, led by Giles Crickmay of Frank Dale & Stepsons, picked out a Bentley 4.25-Litre Streamlined Drophead Coupé, first owned by Bentley Boy and one-time Bentley Chairman Woolf Barnato. Presented in near-perfect condition, the body is said to be finished in the colour of Barnato’s wife’s favourite dress.

Oliver Flower

Picture by: Simon Hildrew

Newly introduced for this year’s event was the Bridge of Weir Leather Design Award, picked by a committee of automotive designers gathered by the Scottish company. The stunning 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Coupe by Gangloff, with its unique body and black over purple paintwork was recognised by the judges for its outstanding design and innovation.

John Retter

Gooding & Company also hosted its first sale outside of the USA at the Concours of Elegance, with a display of the lots hosted within the Tudor Courtyard of the Palace. One of the most significant vehicle collections ever gathered for sale was crowned by a Bugatti Type 59 from 1934, previously owned by King Leopold. In a record-breaking sale, this highly original car set the highest price ever for a Bugatti at auction, achieving £9,535,000. A Type 35C sold for £3,935,000 and a Type 57S Atalante for £7,855,000, setting respective records for these models. The auction also included the highest price ever for a Vauxhall 30-98 and the highest price ever for a Miura, as the SV Speciale sold for £3,207,000.

Oliver Flower

The full list of awards:

Best in Show – 1969 Porsche 917 KH
Pre-1915s – 1904 Fiat Type 24/32
1920s – 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750
1930s – 1930 Bentley 4.5-Litre ‘Blower’ by Gurney Nutting
1940s – 1948 Land Rover Model 80 #001
1950s – 1958 BMW 507
1960s –  1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Clienti
Post-1970s –1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
The Royal Automobile Club Trophy – Messerschmitt KR200
Jaguar Trophy – 1950 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
Bentley Trophy – 1926 Bentley 4.25-Litre by Mulliner
The Junior Concours – Porsche 917
The Bridge of Weir Design Award – Bugatti Type 57 Atalante by Gangloff
Future Classics – Aston Martin Victor
Classic & Sports Car Club Display Award – Saturday: Jaguar XK120 Roadster
Classic & Sports Car Club Display Award – Sunday: Lotus Eclat
Classic & Sports Car Pre-90 Car Park Award – Saturday: Iso Grifo
Classic & Sports Car Pre-90 Car Park Award – Sunday: Mercedes 230 SL ‘Pagoda’

Gallery of Award Winners getting their prizes is thanks to Oliver Flower – To obtain high resolution images please click here

AUTO ADDICTS
VOLUME TWELVE

Stay in touch
To receive the latest news as it breaks

Stay in touch
To receive the latest news as it breaks