Concours of Elegance has confirmed the world-beating line-up of cars for its 2015 event at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, including an original 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost London to Edinburgh car.
One of six Rolls-Royce cars in the main Concours event, this particular model was inspired by the Silver Ghost’s return journey from London to Edinburgh in top gear – mimicking the Concours of Elegance’s journey from Hampton Court Palace in 2014 to Holyroodhouse this year.
During the return trip, the Silver Ghost covered around 1600 miles using only its top gear, carrying four passengers and luggage, and achieving 24.3mpg. It was this feat that helped cement a reputation for the Silver Ghost as ‘the best car in the world.’
From 1923, Concours visitors will also be able to see the Bugatti Type 23 Brescia, one of 200 ever built, with around 19 known to still exist. This sporting roadster was directly descended from the Brescia Bugattis that placed first, second, third and fourth in the 1921 Italian Grand Prix for Voiturettes.
A one-off from 1949 is the Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport by coachbuilders, Franay – the company only produced bodywork for three T26 Grand Sports, with the remaining two being coupés. Each uses a chassis developed from a Le Mans-winning racing car and a 190bhp 4.5-litre six-cylinder engine.
The stunning pale green Ferrari 250 GTO on show at the Concours is the very same driven by Innes Ireland straight from Maranello to Goodwood for the International Easter Monday race of 1962. It’s also the same car that won the Tourist Trophy in 1962 and competed at Le Mans in the same year, where it failed to finish.
Ferrari fans will also be able to see a Ferrari 212 Export Vignale making its worldwide Concours debut after an extensive 14-month restoration. The 1951 car was personally driven by Enzo Ferrari to its first owner in Italy, powered by a race-prepared 2.5-litre V12 engine and boasting a berlinetta body styled by Vignale.
Some more recent supercar royalty will also be in attendance, including two Lamborghini supercars: the Miura S and Countach 5000S, along with the extremely rare BMW M1 and Lancia Stratos HF Stradale. The Touring Superleggera Berlinetta Lusso is the most recent car in the Concours, making its UK debut at the event.
Outside of the main Concours of sixty cars, Concours of Elegance 2015 will also host a number of special features, including the world’s largest gathering of Ecurie Ecosse cars, featuring the Le Mans-winning D-type. Visitors can also admire a collection of the best models from car clubs throughout the country in the Club Trophy and a special selection of Jaguars in the Jaguar Trophy.
