Motoring Elegance

Matthew Steeples selects highlights from the 2019 Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace

Today marks the final day of what has become one of the most elegant of events for car lovers in Britain, the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace in East Molesey, Surrey.

Established in 2012, the 2019 event includes 60 of the rarest cars from around the world and amongst them are some stunners. Aside from a celebration of Aston Martin Zagatos, four examples of the most significant Ferraris ever, the 166MM Barchetta, are displayed alongside one of two Bentley State Limousines specially made for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002.

To my mind, however, the finest car on display is a silver 1919 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost owned by the Edwardian Rolls-Royce (1994) author John Fasal. Complete with two shotguns on each side of its front driver and passenger doors, this gleaming beast is undoubtedly a true show stopper.

Other highlights include the world’s first production minivan, an art deco inspired 1936 Stout Scarab that was used for a meeting between General Eisenhower and Charles de Gaulle during the Second World War and a glorious vision in blue, a 1938 Bugatti Type 57 cabriolet that was rebodied on a standard type 57 saloon body in the style of a cabriolet originally made for the Shah of Persia.

Elsewhere and offered for sale by Yorkshireman Simon Thornley of Thornley Kelham is a ‘Janis Joplin-esque’ 1953 Porsche 356a coupé requiring a full restoration. Presented alongside another example restored by this Cirencester based firm, this right-hand drive barn find was bought in America after languishing in storage for over 30 years.

Tickets for the event cost £40 per adult. Concessions: £25 for over 60s, £18 for students.

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