The Rare and Extraordinary at Hampton Court Palace.
90 of the most significant cars in history, together in one exceptional place from all over the world, entered the Concours of Elegance yesterday morning at Hampton Court Palace. The weekend-long event, which started yesterday, features more than 500 automobiles on display at the former castle of Henry VIII.
The unique feature exhibit honouring the 100th anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours event, which brings together 23 past Le Mans racers, including 10 winners and four double winners, is perhaps the centrepiece of this year's edition. One of them is the 1929 Speed Six Bentley Old Number 1, the first double Le Mans champion. The 1963 Ferrari 250/275P, which was actually in charge of two victories but was only unintentionally located in a Maranello storage area, is present with it. The 1968 Ford GT40's triumph in 1968 and subsequent victory the following year, when Jacky Ickx snatched victory by a mere few yards, are both stories that are significantly more well-known.
Following the heroic efforts of Matra and Jean Rondeau—the only driver to win Le Mans in a vehicle bearing his own name—the lineup then highlights the glorious years of Group C with Porsche and Jaguar. The interesting Porsche-TWRWSC-95, which combined a Jaguar Group C chassis with a Porsche 962 engine to create a vehicle that won Le Mans twice and served as the catalyst for Tom Kristensen's record-breaking streak of nine victories, puts these two fierce competitors together in our next vehicle.
The Collector feature of the Concours of Elegance includes a collection from Fritz Burkard, one of Switzerland's most devoted automobile keepers, in addition to the Le Mans celebration. Fritz has a special fondness for Bugatti, and his collection starts with an early Ettore Bugatti-designed Prinetti & Stucchi Tricycle from 1897. It defeated tough opposition in its maiden race in 1899 by averaging a world-record 64 km/h over a distance of 90 km. It would determine how Ettore lived and produced his art. The 1934 Bugatti Type 59 on display, in the meantime, was the manufacturer's final Grand Prix vehicle and is regarded as the most exquisite of all pre-war competitive vehicles. There were only six made, and the Burkard model finished third at the Monaco GP and first overall in Belgium.
Fritz's 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom Il Continental serves as evidence that he also enjoys British automakers. The historic six-cylinder sidevalve engine from Rolls-Royce had a magnificent last performance. The distinctive Streamlined Saloon coachwork from Park Ward and the improved engine are highlights of Fritz's vehicle. At the 2023 Concours d'Elegance, Fritz will also display the 1960s Abarth 1000 record vehicle "La Principessa" by Pininfarina, a stunning Aston Martin DB5 Bond car with real stunt accessories, and a Peel P50 Coupé.
Although the Fountain Garden of the Palace hosts the majority of the Concours of Elegance, two of the Palace courtyards exhibit goods from the Gooding & Co. London Auction. Additionally, throughout the event today, a live auction for these prizes will take place in the garden. The highlight is a pair of Jaguars; chassis 860001 from a 1961 E-type Series 1 3.8-litre Fixed Head Coupé was the first right-hand-drive FHC and one of only four RHD vehicles with early outside latch handles. The first E-type to ever be sold at a public auction and the fourth RHD Roadster manufactured, chassis 05004 is its 1961 E-type Series 1 3.8 Roadster stablemate. It was first owned by renowned Ferrari engineer and racing driver Michael Parkes before becoming the personal vehicle of Lofty England, the head of the Jaguar Cars racing team.
The Concours of Elegance will continue to develop throughout the course of the weekend with fresh additions and exhibits. The Levitt Concours, which honours remarkable women and their vehicles; the Jaguar Trophy, and the Club Trophy will all enter the Palace gardens on Saturday in search of the most stunning car in the UK to earn a spot in the Concours of Elegance 2024.
On Sunday, the Concours will host a collection of rare Vauxhall 30-98 automobiles as well as a lineup of Junior Concours automobiles, which are miniature versions of regular petrol, electric, or pedal vehicles, together with their drivers and parents. The Bentley Trophy will be competed for by a lineup of vintage and contemporary Bentleys, and the 30 Under 30 Concours, which honours the greatest young classic vehicle owners, will join the lineup.
With lunches provided by Fortnum & Mason, champagne given by Charles Heidsieck, and a variety of art, jewellery, and fashion exhibits, Concours of Elegance 2023 will once again be a celebration of unadulterated luxury. Visitors may have a drink at the new Pimm's Enclosure or browse pop-up exhibits from companies including S.T. Dupont, Launer London, or Belle Brummell. As always, the presenting partner, A. Lange & Söhne will display some of its most complex watches.
Tickets to the Concours of Elegance, which continues on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September, are still available to buy from Concours of Elegance.
Image(s) Credit: Charlie Brenninkmeijer